Virtual TimeClock '13 R1.1 Maintenance Release

We posted a maintenance release for Virtual TimeClock '13 earlier this week that fixes a number of minor issues related to the new report preview window, QuickBooks payroll export now properly saves to the selected export folder location, saving new leave awards once again work reliably for all users and categories, and clients that lose TimeClock Server connectivity no longer receive a spurious error. Check the Virtual TimeClock '13 release notes for a full list of fixes.

Virtual TimeClock '13 R1.1 is a free update to all customers enrolled in our software maintenance & support program and anyone who purchased a Virtual TimeClock '13 Release 1 license.

Jeff Morrow
Virtual TimeClock Product Specialist
Redcort Software, Inc.

When to Spring Forward 2013?

Daylight Saving Time, or DST, begins on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday of November. In March, clocks are moved forward one hour from 2am standard time to 3am DST, and in November, clocks are moved back one hour from 2am DST to 1am standard time. In 2013, DST begins on Sunday, March 10.

Supporters of DST say that it saves energy, reduces traffic accidents, reduces crime, and encourages outdoor activity in the evening, so it's good for physical and psychological health.

Opponents of DST say that actual energy savings are inconclusive, it disrupts morning activities, and changing clocks twice a year is economically and socially disruptive. They think these negative effects cancel out any benefit to observing DST.

What do you think?

Jeff Morrow
Virtual TimeClock Product Specialist
Redcort Software, Inc.

Tax Service Time Clock

I know this is a busy time of year for those of you in the tax and accounting industries. We hear from a lot of you during the first quarter because you've picked up seasonal employees and you're looking for an easier way to manage employee time and attendance. Using time clock software is much easier and less time consuming than trying to make sense of had written time sheets. So whether you're with one of the major tax services like H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, Liberty Tax Service, or just one of the thousands of accounting or bookkeeping firms, Virtual TimeClock will make it a ton simpler to keep track of employee hours during this busy time of the year.

Jeff Morrow
Virtual TimeClock Product Specialist
Redcort Software, Inc.

Is Presidents' Day Real?

On the third Monday of February we honor George Washington by celebrating his birthday. The third Monday places the date somewhere between February 15 and 21, which is sort of ironic because it never actually occurs on Washington's birthday of February 22. Throughout history there have been attempts to combine the birthdays of both Washington and Lincoln (whose birthday is celebrated February 12 but not as a federal holiday), and even the office of the Presidency by changing the federal holiday to Presidents' Day. These have all failed, except in the realm of advertising, where "Presidents' Day" is used as an excuse to sell everything from cars to furniture. But only Washington's Birthday is an actual federal holiday.

In 2013, Washington's Birthday on celebrated on Monday, February 18. Looking for other 2013 federal holidays? Check out our 2013 Federal Holiday Calendar.

Jeff Morrow
Redcort Software, Inc.

Virtual TimeClock '13

January has been a busy month at Redcort Software with the release of Virtual TimeClock ‘13. Last year we focused on making the time clock much easier to use and added support for QuickBooks and ADP payroll.  In Virtual TimeClock ‘13, we dramatically streamlined the process of reviewing, editing, and saving your employee timecards.

The new Report Preview window is probably my favorite new feature in Virtual TimeClock ‘13. When you’re viewing an employee timecard, click the Entry Editor icon on the new Report Preview toolbar. You can make changes to punch times, add timecard notes, insert lunches and breaks, add manual entries and leave, and as soon as you close the window the report is instantly updated with the changes. I still get goose bumps every time I make changes and watch the timecard update!

Jeff Morrow

Virtual TimeClock Product Specialist

Redcort Software, Inc.

Is Christmas Eve a Holiday?

Christmas Eve is not a federal holiday, but many private sector businesses close all day or half a day on December 24. For those in retail, it's usually a busy working day as people shop for last minute Christmas gifts. Schools and other educational centers are usually closed, and public transit systems may run reduced services.

This year President Obama is giving federal employees Christmas Eve off. An executive order signed today closes all executive branch departments and agencies except where employees are needed for reasons of national security, defense, or other public need. Many past presidents have also given employees a holiday on Christmas Eve.

2013 federal and national holidays

Jeff Morrow
Virtual TimeClock Product Specialist
Redcort Software, Inc.

2012 Time Clock Software Year In Review

We had another busy year at Redcort Software in 2012. It's certainly been a year of growth. We relocated to bigger facilities and added another product specialist. We started 2012 with the release of Virtual TimeClock '12, our most ambitious and comprehensive update in a decade. We consolidated all the administrative functions in one window, added PIN based time clock access, multiple time zone support, and a new individual interface designed for single user workstations. We also added time clock payroll integration with QuickBooks for Windows. In the press, we received an impressive 4.5 out of 5 on our latest Macworld time clock review. We finished up the year with Virtual TimeClock '12 Release 2 that provided time clock integration with ADP Pay eXpert online payroll. We also announced compatibility with Apple OS 10.8 Mountain Lion, Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8.

I can't wait for 2013!

Jeff Morrow
Virtual TimeClock Product Specialist
Redcort Software, Inc.