Time tracking software comparison

This time tracking software comparison is dedicated to brief reviewing (with regard to needs of small business) of some popular solutions such as Microsoft software (MS Outlook and MS Project as classic examples, and also multi-purpose applications such as MS Access & Excel that are often used for job scheduling), some free solutions (such as Google applications), and some other alternative solutions.

On-line tools:

Google software package is represented by different paid and free widgets that are integrated (connected via Internet channel) with the Google Calendar time tracking solution, and can be fixed on your PC’s desktop to deliver you the data on your ongoing business agenda, upcoming events, etc (it is retrieved from the Calendared and To-Do listed information from your Google account). In such a regime your data can be shared among several collaborators who can get coordinated by using the same working and event schedules. Another variant to share time tracking is to use Google Docs for time tracking (to compose shared to-do lists and timetables with a help of this solution that has a functionality similar to WordPad’s one), but this is obviously not very effective for the purpose of time management.

Microsoft packages:

• Microsoft Project – usage of this complicated and expensive tool refers to practice of serious and skilful project management that includes monitoring and tracking different time-related parameters of the project and its underlying tasks. With a help of this program you can calculate efficiency of your project timelines and milestones, compose and optimize schedules of your project resources (manpower, equipment, etc), compute working hours, etc. While this program can perfectly work for needs of large and medium businesses, it can appear too excessive and expensive for needs of small enterprises;
• Microsoft Excel – usage of this tool for time management and work controlling is a widespread practice in small business organizations as using its functionality is not so difficult and its price is not so high (also a lot of add-ons can be downloaded on the Web). While this application works well for needs of a sole user, its multiuser technology (concurrent sharing and editing of the same schedules) is poorly developed. The standard capability (Shared Workbook) is outdated, while establishing MS Exchange Server and SharePoint is also quite complicated and expensive for usual needs of small business;

• Microsoft Outlook – this program is the most appropriate solution for needs of small businesses among all other mentioned Microsoft products. While its functionality works great for requirements of a sole entrepreneur who can plan his/her working tasks, business appointments, contacts and projects, its multiuser capability also isn’t included into the startup package, but expensive Microsoft Exchange Server is required to drive the multiuser solution;
• Microsoft Access – this effective database management solution from MS can be successfully used for task and time management organized via using shared tables, especially when you need to arrange integration of your tasks with directories of multi-dimensional matters (clients, partners, products, etc), however, its main functionality can be considered as quite advanced, so you need a qualified IT-specialist in order to establish, deploy and maintain such Access-based instruments;

Alternative

If you are using alternative operational systems such as Mac OS or Linux then you need to find appropriate software that can be installed with these platforms (for example Apple time tracking software that can be driven on Apple computers and mobile devices).

 Also if you want to find effective Windows-driven solution for small business which is sold at moderate prices but delivered with rich functionality yet, then you should try VIP Task Manager that is recognized as one of the best programs for time and tasks scheduling, tracking and delegating on the Web (for small and medium business) as it provides three sharable views for working with corporate time and workloads – Task List, Task Tree and Calendar modes.