Mjobtime

Menu
CLOSE
Contact Us
Request a Demo
Contact Us
Request a Demo
Menu
CLOSE
Menu
CLOSE
Contact Us
Request a Demo
Contact Us
Request a Demo
Menu
CLOSE
Menu
CLOSE
Contact Us
Request a Demo

Custom Time Clock Software: Mobile Solutions for the Construction Industry

Gain Added Efficiency By Customizing Your Mobile Time Clock Software

Tailoring mJobTime’s Custom Time Clock Software To Meet The Special Needs of Your Business

At mJobTime, we have focused on giving our customers a large number of configuration options to make our application as flexible as possible. However, software programs are designed to accommodate the maximum number of companies possible. We realize that there are going to be situations where mJobTime may not address certain facets of your business processes, but we ultimately strive to provide employee time clock solutions that will be unique to every business.

We look upon these situations as opportunities. This is because we love to get input from our customers about our time clocks for construction as well as our other software. Many times, this input can lead to a new feature or functionality that becomes a standard part of the program. Oftentimes, when the amount of work and time involved is not significant, we will do the work at no charge. Even in those situations where there is a substantial amount of resources required to do the work, if we feel it will improve the product, we often will share the cost of the modification with the customer. In those situations where the customization is very unique to a customer, we will provide a quote for the work and allow the customer to make their own decision.

Whatever the case, our development team has earned quite a reputation for doing outstanding work in a reasonable time period. They will work with you to get a detailed understanding of your needs, propose a solution, develop and test the solution, and follow-up to insure that our employee time clock solutions are working as intended once released. Our customers constantly rave about the amount of time we have saved them with our modifications. Usually, the ROI on our customizations is very short.

Whether it’s a special report or a very specific way to calculate travel or per diem pay, our crackerjack development staff is always ready to meet your custom modification challenges. They thrive on being able to make mJobTime (and our time clocks for construction) meet even your most stringent and unique requirements.

mJobTime Mobile Time Clock Software Customization Examples

  • Allow customer to clock in crews with equipment attached, but only post the equipment to one employee’s time card (not the entire crew).
  • Allow Supervisor user to transfer individual existing time records to a different company, verifying that all (pronoun) time record fields are valid in the “transfer-to” company, and disabling transfers for “Approved” and
    “Exported” records.
  • Add a new labor report for commercial drivers with the following columns:
    • Last Name
    • First Name
    • Position
    • Last Day Off
    • Next Mandated Day Off
    • Total Hours since Last Day Off
    • Hours Remaining (in the cycle)
  • Create a delimited file of time and material for our customer to send to their customer, and as a second customization, generate an invoice in their customer’s format.
  • Modify our Weekly Time Entry screen to allow for daily distribution of time by sub-job.
  • Create new functions to facilitate entry, tracking, and calculation of per diem and travel pay for employees on jobs:
    • Allow users to enter per diem and travel rates per job
    • Allow users to enter per diem and travel transactions
    • Allow administrative users to export per diem and travel transactions to “Bank File” and “Timberline Export”.
  • Customize the mJobTime Crew feature to track:
    • Day or night shift per crew
    • Craft code per employee
    • Alternate employee ID per employee
    • Per diem code per employee
    • Travel code per employee
  • Modify the export to accounting to create a text file export and add special calculations described below:
    • Specifications
    • A maximum of 40 hours per week will be exported for salaried employees
      • Salaried employees will be identified by a field in the employee table.
      • Time records beyond the 40 hour limit will remain in mJobTime and will be flagged as “exported”.
    • For time records that include task codes beginning with “41” populate the “GL Exp Acct” field as follows:
      • The second segment of the task code
      • Followed by the employee’s department number (two-digit-zero-filled)
      • The employee’s dept number will be pulled from a field in the employee table Examples: “500503”, “500603”
  • Develop a custom version of the “Daily Time Sheet Entry by Employee” screen:
    • To include a five-row header,
    • Make the Job Number column header span all columns for the same job.
    • As new columns are added, insert them into the grid sorted in ascending order by Job Number, then by the last five digits of the Cost Code, then by Extra.
    • Remove color shading of alternate rows in grid and add a solid line between rows
    • Shade “REG”, “OVT”, and “DBL” columns in White/Lt Blue/Dark Blue
    • Increase allowable distribution columns to 30
    • Divide the “Total” column into “REG”, “OVT”, and “DBL” sub-columns and display the appropriate totals for each row broken down into the three Pay IDs.
  • Replace the “Save” button acknowledgement dialog with the following custom dialog:
    • “Entries will be recorded with the following Date: ##/##/####”
    • Allow user to click “OK” or “Cancel”
  • Allow users to save selected distribution columns for multiple jobs and have them default whenever a job is selected for time entry.
  • Add Edit, Review, and Approve functions to the Daily Time Entry screen.

Let us provide you with a personalized demo today. As you can see, a custom time clock from mJobTime can supply your business with many helpful resources.

Our Services

Building Up or Out: Native ERP Apps vs. Best-In-Class Solutions for Construction Field Management

Managing the complex dance of construction projects requires smooth communication and data flow between office and field. In this digital age, two main approaches dominate the construction field management landscape: leveraging applications native to your ERP system or seeking best-in-class solutions from vendors that integrate with the ERP. 

Each path has its own set of advantages and drawbacks, leaving construction companies and project managers to weigh the pros and cons based on their business needs. Here is some guidance to help when making your construction project management software decisions.

The Allure of the Nest: Native ERP Apps

Stepping into the world of native ERP apps feels like arriving at a neatly organized home. Everything’s familiar, the furniture fits, and workflows flow. When it comes to construction project management tools, native apps help eliminate data silos and simplify information exchange.

Pros of Native ERP Apps:

  • Seamless integration: Data flows effortlessly between fieldwork and back-office operations, minimizing manual entry and errors.
  • Unified user experience: Employees use a single platform for all tasks, simplifying training and boosting user adoption.
  • Reduced costs: You leverage your existing ERP investment, potentially avoiding additional licensing fees for separate management software solutions.
  • Centralized data management:  Information for your entire project resides in one place, fostering improved visibility and control.

Cons of Native ERP Apps:

  • Limited functionality: Native apps tend to lack the depth and sophistication of dedicated solutions for challenges such as construction time tracking or construction equipment management.
  • Customization challenges: Adapting the app to your existing, specific construction project workflows and needs can be difficult or costly.
  • Vendor lock-in: You become reliant on your ERP vendor for continued updates and functionality, limiting flexibility.
  • Lag in innovation: Native apps might not keep pace with the rapid advancements in construction technology. ERP providers by nature must cover more digital territory and so tend to lag the market in both new feature releases and depth of coverage for specific applications, particularly for managing construction field work.

Stepping Out: Best-in-Class Solutions

Venturing into the market of best-in-class point solutions feels like exploring a diverse bazaar. Vendors offer specialized tools, boasting powerful features and cutting-edge advancements. Integrating these solutions with your ERP opens doors to innovative functionalities and tailored workflows that may more closely match how you do business.

Pros of Best-in-Class Solutions:

  • Specialized expertise: Point solutions offer deeper functionalities and specialized tools for specific construction project needs, like job-costed time tracking or safety management.
  • Rapid innovation: Independent vendors often lead the charge in new construction technologies, providing access to cutting-edge construction field management capabilities.
  • Customization: In many cases, best-in-class solution providers are more willing than ERPs to tailor their applications to each customer’s needs, including workflow changes and specific feature customizations.
  • Increased flexibility: You can choose and mix and match solutions to best suit your unique workflows and construction project demands.
  • Enhanced user experience: Point solutions might offer more intuitive and user-friendly interfaces for field workers.

Cons of Best-in-Class Solutions:

  • Integration complexities: Integrating multiple solutions with your ERP can be technically challenging and expensive unless your vendor already has established integrations with that ERP platform or includes integration as part of their offering.
  • Data fragmentation: Without proper integration between ERP and app, data might get scattered across various platforms, requiring additional effort for consolidation and analysis.
  • Increased cost: With increased functionality often comes increased cost. Be sure you understand the differences in both functionality and price when comparing native versus best-in-class solutions for your construction project management tool.
  • Vendor management overhead: Managing relationships with multiple vendors can become time-consuming and complex.

Finding the Golden Hammer: Making the Right Choice

Finding the Golden Hammer: Making the Right Choice

Choosing between native ERP apps and best-in-class solutions for your construction management is a nuanced decision with no one-size-fits-all answer. Here are some guiding principles to help you find the golden hammer for your construction needs:

  • Assess your needs: Identify your specific challenges, desired functionalities, and project budget constraints.
  • Evaluate existing workflow: Analyze how fieldwork currently integrates with your ERP system.
  • Consider futureproofing: Choose solutions that offer scalability and adaptability to accommodate potential growth and changing needs.
  • Explore integration complexities: Understand the technical challenges and costs of integrating point solutions with your ERP.
  • Weigh the long-term ROI: Look beyond upfront costs and consider the impact on efficiency, productivity, and project success.

Ultimately, the ideal construction field management approach is not about choosing sides but finding the right blend. Native ERP apps provide a foundation of seamless integration and centralized data, while best-in-class point solutions offer specialized tools and cutting-edge functionalities. By carefully assessing your construction project management needs, exploring options, and considering the long-term implications, you can build a comprehensive and future-proof solution that keeps your construction projects running smoothly, from the trenches to the boardroom.

As you know, construction projects are complex ecosystems, and your fieldwork management system should reflect that complexity. Embrace the unique advantages of both native apps and point solutions and build a digital ecosystem that seamlessly connects the dots, from the ground up.

Mike Soniat is President and Co-Founder of mJob, a leading provider of field management solutions for the construction industry for more than 30 years. He can be reached at mike.soniat@mjobtime.com.

Comments are closed.