Software to control used time at each project 2

[sancat]

We are looking for a software package that can help us to know how much time each worker spent on each project.
We would like to ask our workforce to check at a terminal, perhaps with a barcode reader, when they start to work on a project and when they finish with it, so, we would know how many hours had been invested in a particular project to charge the client, and how many hours had been worked by someone to calculate his salary.
Besides if the program has any means to introduce theoretical times, we could have an idea of how far ahead (mostly behind) of schedule we are.
If you have heard or you use something like this, please let us know.
sancat

 

[IRstuff]

There are lots of electronic timecard systems used in the defense industry.

In the worst case, you can simply create an Excel logsheet that has columns for each day of the week, each row is entered with a charge number and the hours worked each day goes in the appropriate column.

At the end of the week, you can do some minor formatting and lump them all into a single Excel pivot table.

The biggest challenge is not the technical part of the implementation, but the discipline of entering the correct amount of time to the correct charge number. This requires constant vigilance if you want to get some utility out of the process. Also, you'll need to assign different numbers to each task that's estimated to be around 80 to 160 hrs or so.

The reason is to minimize hidden overheads and to ensure adequate granularity at the end of the day. There's nothing worse than getting a 500 hr bill and not know why the original estimate of 240 hrs was so far off.

You'll also need to establish some benchmark estimates for each job prior to actually doing the job. This will allow you to get practice in estimation and allow you to calibrate your estimates against actual data. The smaller the time charge, the quicker you'll get feedback on your estimates.

sorry for being so long-winded.

TTFN

 

[smcadman]

A brother of mine works at a sheet metal fabrication shop that uses software like you are talking about. The job router/traveller has a barcode printed on it, and so does each station in the shop, such as laser-cutting, welding, powder-coating, etc. Each employee has a badge with a barcode on it.
By scanning the barcodes, the office knows what stage a job is in, what station it is currently at, which employee is working on it, etc., etc.
I'm not sure what software they use, but a quick search on Google brought up a similar system:

http://www.time-scan.com/pages/product.html

Flores

 

[sancat]

IRstuff, thanks, but what we are looking should be south-american proof, I know they will try even to put a peach can to see what happens. The program has to be Very Robust and undiscipline-proof.

smcadman, I think that the thing your brother uses is what would help us most. I would love to have his comments.

thanks
sancat

 

[IRstuff]

Then something like this:

http://www.qqesttime.com/products/t...hp?PHPSESSID=f13a81ec4e558804d343d9c7b55f0551

Although if you're that concerned about the users, this is not going to solve that particular problem, since all you have is that time recorded is greater than actual time of work. ;-)

TTFN

 

[IRstuff]

another source:

http://www.berunner.com/ontime/

from Dogpile search on: barcode timeclock

TTFN

 

[sancat]

IR,
Thanks again, I am checking those links, as well as the one smcad gave.
Yes, I will know that we have used more time than needed, but that will trigger several things:
I will <<persuade>> our workforce to work faster, (yes I should do that without any program, but, how will I know if they are already working at the right pace?, and I should take care of quality, since it is in inverse proportion with speed)
I will <<politelly ask>> our quoting people, Why in the hell the have not done their work right, quoting unrealistic times
I will be able to tell our client that their work has a <<slight delay>> in delivery time, with some time in advance.
And finally, I will <<politelly tell>> our plant manager, to do its work right, with numbers that prove that his efficiency is below my most humble estimates.
Thanks for your help
sancat