Project time tracking software to handle project timelines, working calendars and employee timesheets

Project time tracking software is a computer-based instrument that enables and facilitates a set of specific methods that make up the function which is an extremely important process for assurance of successful project completion, specifically it includes the following:

• General observing of the project’s schedule (calendar and timeline);
• Meeting project pre-planned milestones and ensuring on-time delivering of expected results;
• Measuring durations and controlling on-time completion of project tasks;
• Calculating working time of manpower and equipment;
• Getting aware of upcoming project target dates and events; 

All these tasks can be performed with a help of project time tracking software which successfully allows spending much less time and efforts while undertaking them in real-life environment. Simple example of such software is a Excel spreadsheet with its initial functionality developed and extended by specific features added with installing certain add-ons (such as Excel-based Calendar). There is a plenty of different free and paid add-ons for this application, however, MS Excel itself is not freeware (but a quite expensive commercial application), and it is not completely convenient when you want to organize a multiuser collaboration with its help (for example when you try to share a project Calendar between multiple project members).

Very often project managers from small business segment seek for some free project time tracking software, but there are not many of really good free software samples of this kind. The most of free solutions are developed primarily to work on Linux (usually these tools include free cross-platform open source applications that require some advanced IT-skills to get them installed and working), while Mac-based applications are represented just with a small number of programs (due to a smaller number of Mac-users). The particular class of programs is comprised of solutions for operational systems working at mobiles devices such as Blackberry, Palm, etc, for example Android based software. 

Good example of effective software that can perfectly work for business needs of SME is VIP Task Manager which is an easy-to-install solution for Windows-driven PCs. This program provides you with three sharable modes for time management – Task Tree, Task List and Calendar. With a help of this client-server tool you can plan, schedule, share and control project tasks explained in matters of priorities, time, costs, etc.