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.

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.

2012 Time Clock Plans

While 2011 has been a productive year, I'm really excited about what's planned for 2012. At the risk of personal injury (engineers don't like it when I share what's on the drawing board), here are the time clock software features we're working on for 2012:

• Personal time clock client - designed for single user workstations with all the administrative functions removed for easy setup and use.
• PIN client for groups - designed for multi-user time clock stations with ID based access to provide more anonymity and make it easier to use with large worker lists.
• Administrative control panel - all the administrative functions consolidated under one command center.
• Security enhancements - challenge questions and biometric integration to completely eliminate buddy punching.
• Multiple time zone support - run time clocks in different time zones without the need for separate time clock servers.
• iOS apps - Iv'e seen the iPhone and iPad user interface mock ups, prepare to be blown away!

We'll keep you posted on new developments.

Jeff Morrow
Virtual TimeClock Product Specialist
Redcort Software, Inc.

Control Employee Overtime with Virtual TimeClock '11

Virtual TimeClock '11 is now available. We've added powerful new clock in and out rules to the latest release of our employee time clock software that allow you to control unnecessary employee overtime by setting shift restrictions and creating employee schedules. New shift reports, calculation of shift differentials, shift summaries, and late arrival reports compliment the new clock in and out rules. The engineers have worked hard enhancing the worker action dialog with new action and warning icons, and clearly alerting users when they're in violation of shift rules and how to proceed.

Learn more about Virtual TimeClock '11:

Virtual TimeClock '11 Press Release

See the new clock in and out rules in action:

Time Clock Software Slideshow

Jeff Morrow

Virtual TimeClock Product Specialist

Redcort Software

Virtual TimeClock '10 Year In Review

We've been very pleased with the response we've received this year from customers and the media regarding our latest Virtual TimeClock software releases and the other time and attendance resources we've introduced. And I'm very excited about what's coming in 2011, especially the employee overtime control measures included in Virtual TimeClock '11.

Here's a recap of the highlights from 2010:

• Jan 19 - Virtual TimeClock '10 is released with tools to help businesses reduce payroll costs
• Jan 19 - Macworld magazine provides exclusive coverage of Virtual TimeClock '10
• Mar 5 - Redcort Software releases a free time card calculator that provides employees with an easy way to total daily and weekly hours in a convenient printable timesheet
• Mar 30 - Macworld magazine reviews Virtual TimeClock '10 Network Edition (4 out of 5 mice)
• May 12 - Virtual TimeClock '10 Release 1.1 introduces optimizations for large businesses
• May 27 - Fresno mayor highlights Virtual TimeClock in annual state of the city address
• Aug 1 - CPA Technology Advisor applauds Virtual TimeClock for simplifying time tracking
• Aug 24 - Virtual TimeClock '10 Release 2 brings payroll integration to make payday easier
• Sep 3 - Mac|Life magazine reviews Virtual TimeClock '10 Pro Edition (rated 4 out of 5)
• Sep 3 - SurePayroll announces partnership with Redcort Software to bring payroll discounts to Virtual TimeClock users
• Nov 18 - Redcort software releases free time & attendance resources to provide businesses with handy reference tools

As you can see, this makes for a busy and satisfying year. And we have some exciting plans for 2011 to keep Virtual TimeClock at the forefront of the time and attendance industry!

Jeff Morrow

Virtual TimeClock Product Specialist

Redcort Software

The Pareto Principle Is Alive and Well

You probably know what the Pareto principle is, although you may not know it by that name. It’s more commonly referred to as the ’80-20 rule’. It’s named after an Italian economist who at the beginning of the twentieth century observed that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population. He applied his observation at home and discovered that 20% of the pea pods in his garden contained 80% of the peas! It’s basically a rule of thumb that describes how something is shared by a particular set of participants. For example, you may see this rule in action as you wear 20% of your clothes 80% of the time, or spend 80% of your time with only 20% of your friends.

I saw the Pareto principle alive and well with our latest time clock software release.  Here’s what I mean. Roughly 80% of our new timeclock software feature requests are for similar new functionality. This means that out of all of the feature requests we’ve received over the last several years, approximately 8 out of 10 customers consistently ask for similar new features or functionality (20% of the pea pods). The engineers were definitely able to tap into this principle when planning and developing Virtual TimeClock ’10.

Let me give you an example. The ability to track and limit the time employees have been on paid breaks has been a top requested new feature for some time. And while it seemed like a simple request, this feature required a tremendous amount of engineering effort to make it a reality. The same is true for tracking unpaid worker time and leave. Implementing these two requests completely changed timecard reports, how leave is accounted for, and how activities are tracked. However, implementing these two items at the same time with the related reporting improvements fulfilled an enormous number of our user feature requests. We also knew the 80-20 rule was in effect for the requests themselves. For every person who took the time to request these features, we knew there were many more Virtual TimeClock users who wanted the functionality but simply hadn’t submitted a request.

Rather than going for cool new eye candy, a glamorous new buzz word feature, or something a little less strenuous to implement, engineering decided to pull out all the stops and make Virtual TimeClock ’10 do more of what our users wanted it to do. It wasn't the easiest, cheapest, or quickest route to a new release. At the same time it was certainly the right thing for us to do. Virtual TimeClock ’10 gives our customers the tools they need to more effectively manage their employee time and attendance and payroll costs. 

What does this mean for the future? Well, it definitely means biometrics, web clients, and integration with new payroll products. These things are important to us because they’re important technologies for our customers. As always, we’re letting our users drive our innovation for each Virtual TimeClock software release. The Pareto principle may just be a natural phenomenon, but it’s a great way for us to focus our efforts on the things our customers really need.

Virtual TimeClock Software '09 R3.1 Update

Last month's release of Virtual TimeClock '09 Release 3 contained over a dozen enhancements to timecard reports. The  new 3.1 release addresses two reporting issues that have arisen as a result of the Release 3 changes. Release 3.1 is an important time clock software update that ensures timecard entries for future payroll periods are reliably totaled and included in timecard reports.

The Virtual TimeClock Basic Edition software is not a part of this update. If you are a Virtual TimeClock Network Edition user and are running '09 Release 3, you need only to update your Virtual TimeClock Pro Client software to Release 3.1. The Virtual TimeClock Server software is not a part of the 3.1 update.

Virtual TimeClock '09 Release 3

Virtual TimeClock '09 Release 3 was made available today. The new release provides an often requested new feature: adding notes to timecard entries. Timecard notes can be used to note jobs or project tracking details, report mileage, tips, bonuses, or commissions right on the employee timecard. Employees can add a timecard note to explain a late arrival or early departure right when the event occurs.

Virtual TimeClock '09 Release 3 is compatible with the new Microsoft Windows 7 release. With the September announcement of Apple OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard support, Virtual TimeClock '09 is now fully compatible with Apple and Microsoft's newest operating systems.

We have also improved the user experience in Virtual TimeClock '09 Release 3 with over two dozen program enhancements. There is a complete list of changes in Virtual TimeClock '09 Release 3 on our web site.

Virtual TimeClock '09 Release 3 is a free upgrade for all users enrolled in our software Maintenance & Support program. We offer generously discounted upgrade pricing if you are not enrolled in our software Maintenance program.

Please contact us with any questions you have about the release. You can reply to this email, visit our web site, or call toll free from 8 AM to 5 PM PST at (888) 207-0005.

I hope you enjoy the new features and enhanced functionality we've put into Virtual TimeClock '09 Release 3!

Keith DeLong
Redcort Software