Every year the US Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) audits thousands of government contracts representing billions of dollars of value. 
The Agency does this not only for the US Department of Defense but also for the Department of Energy, Homeland Security and many other federal and state agencies. The DCAA sets standards for how to account for, track and invoice government contracts and amongst those standards are requirements for timesheet systems.
TimeControl has been used by many of our clients to help with their DCAA compliance and given HMS Software’s long standing high profile in defense and aerospace, it will come as no surprise that TimeControl has many features that were specifically designed to accommodate the DCAA.
On the TimeControl website, you’ll find a solutions area dedicated to how to configure TimeControl for DCAA compliance. We’ve just updated the DCAA Solutions area with a new white paper, slides and webcast that are up to date with the latest in DCAA Requirements. For more information on the DCAA, go to www.dcaa.mil.
Access to the DCAA Solutions area is free. You’ll find it at www.timecontrol.com/solutions/dcaa.
Category Archives: timecontrol
Updated Timesheet Buyer’s Guide
One of the most popular areas of the TimeControl.com website has been the Timesheet single source of HMS Software expertise in how to select a timesheet has been a great collection of resources for anyone interested in updating their timesheet system.as it makes tools available at no charge and without obligation. We’ve done a number of updates on the Buyer’s Guide site to the tools and information provided there. This area of the website provides information that both helps prospective timesheet buyers determine what kind of timesheet they might require and then shows how TimeControl can respond to those requirements. The information however isn’t specific to just TimeControl so no matter what kind of timesheet you’re looking for, this section of our site may be of use to you. The Timesheet Buyer’s Guide includes a number of tools that may be of interest to those considering a new timesheet system including:
- Webcasts of how to determine what type of timesheet might be required,
- A white paper analyzing the choice of buying a commercial off the shelf timesheet system vs. writing a customized timesheet,
- A downloadable evaluation checklist spreadsheet of the most commonly requested timesheet features with options for weighting features and scoring multiple timesheet systems,
- A Return on Investment Calculator spreadsheet which shows the financial impact of automating your timesheet system and;
- Numerous links to other resources.
The HMS Timesheet Buyer’s Guide is available at: www.timecontrol.com/solutions/buyersguide
The TimeControl expense dialog view
Most people who use TimeControl know there is an expense tab on the timesheet in which you can enter non-labor expenses. The tab becomes visible when you click the “+” sign to the left of any line and shows several tabs of additional information that can be entered and attached to your timesheet.
The Expense tab has a grid view much like the timesheet where you can add an unlimited number of lines of expenses to each timesheet line. The timesheet doesn’t need to have hours, just a selection of the project and task and then expenses can be added to it.
But, did you know that there is also a dialog view for entering expenses? The grid is preferred by many but there are some who find the dialog view more pleasant. It’s easily accessible. When you hover your mouse over the “Append” button to add an expense line, the Dialog View option appears. 
The data is the same. Only the presentation changes. You can edit an existing line in the dialog view by clicking the dialog button on the far left of any saved line.
New Contractor Management Solution Page
HMS has just released a new use-case solution page to show how TimeControl and TimeControl Industrial can be used to better manage contractors. With the human resource partnering, outsourcing and sub-contracting of today, being able to 
manage your contractors is a critical element to being competitive and we’ve made this solution available at no charge to show how an organization can make tremendous efficiency improvements in how it manages its contractors.” included on the solution page is both a webcast and PowerPoint presentation as well as references to related information. The webcast includes a presentation and a software demonstration. Some of the benefits that are presented by using the techniques described in the presentation include:
- Shortcut the invoice approval process. Save countless hours of purchasing personnel, clerks, project managers, contract managers and even the contractors themselves.
- Find out what the contractors are working on, not just how much time they’re working
- Find out how long it takes contractors to finish the tasks you’ve assigned.
- Compare the performance of internally trained personnel to contractor personnel.
- For contractors: Get paid faster.
- For the client: negotiate an early payment discount because you’re now able to approve the invoice in days, not weeks.
You can access the Contractor Management Solution Portal at: www.timecontrol.com/solutions/contractormanagement and see a complete list of solutions at: www.timecontrol.com/solutions/.
TimeControl 6.6 now available
Version 6.6 of TimeControl is now shipping. We made both TimeControl and TimeControl Industrial 6.6 available for download for existing clients as well as available for new clients on July 4th and we couldn’t be happier with all the major new and enhanced functionality. This version of TimeControl and TimeControl Industrial is a big accomplishment and includes improvements that our clients will be delighted with. The enhancements in version 6.6 are the result of the partnership between HMS development and our remarkable clients. TimeControl 6.6 includes a wide range of improvements and enhanced functionality. Some of the most notable enhancements include: Multi-browser Drill Down Analyzer
HMS has enhanced one of the most popular TimeControl features ever created. Using this tool allows administrators to respond to unexpected queries about the timesheet data in seconds without creating a whole report. The module has been rewritten into the multi-browser, multi-device architecture. Now these queries can be analyzed on an iPad or mobile device. New and improved Import Tables
Also improved is the Import Tables module with more formats supported and a highly enhanced interface with previews, simpler drop menus and more. TimeControl / Hard Dollar and Primavera
We’ve enhanced the TimeControl link that supports the Hard Dollar cost management system and Oracle-Primavera project management system simultaneously. Data between the three systems has more options, more data can be transferred and it is easier to keep all three systems in synch. Other features that have been enhanced, updated into the new multi-browser/multi-device architecture or rewritten include:
- Timesheet List enhancements in the Filter function
- Batch Release
- The New User Wizard for onboarding
- Default Charge and Rate for TimeRequest
- User Profiles
- Reveal Culture in Manage Languages
- AutoFill
- Filter announcements by user and profile
- Reports Table
- Change timesheet ownership
- Filter table
- Timesheet Image now in the Report Designer
- Adding Tabbed Separated Values Export (TSV) as an export format
TimeControl 6.6 and TimeControl Industrial 6.6, HMS Software’s Field Data Collection version Both TimeControl 6.5 and TimeControl Industrial 6.6 are available for immediate shipment. TimeControl pricing begins at $120/User for on premises purchases. Pricing for TimeControl Industrial, TimeControl Online and TimeControl Industrial Online, HMS Software’s hosted Timesheet as a Service in the cloud is available upon request. Read What’s New in TimeControl 6.6 to see a complete list of new and enhanced features or see the TimeControl 6.6 press release.
Performance tips on TimeControl with Symantec
It’s impossible to test every combination of browsers and virus scanners when we release TimeControl. Our most common configuration in the office is either Internet Explorer or Firefox with AVG as the virus scanner. We know that the incredible number of possible virus scanning options, firewall options, network protection options and other settings in your operating system, server operating system and supporting technology can have an effect on TimeControl. As we hear good tips from clients or consultants who find settings that are a problem, we’ll pass them along here in the blog.
These notes are in no way an endorsement or condemnation of any product mentioned. We do not promise that these settings will work for you, for the version of the software you are using or that the use of these options will not compromise your security. Your system architecture and your network systems are your business. These notes will be simply areas we are recommending investigating if you believe they may affect you.
We’ve had a note from a client recently regarding the use of TimeControl 6 with Internet Explorer and Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1.2015. One of our clients has reported that disabling the option: Network Threat Protection Settings-> Intrusion Prevention -> “Enable Browser Intrusion Prevention”, the performance of the TimeControl web pages increased dramatically.
If you have combinations of products and/or settings that you use that have improved (or degraded) performance of TimeControl, please send them along to support@hms.ca.
HMS Renews key technical alliances with Microsoft and Oracle
Microsoft / TimeControl Resources Portal
HMS recently renewed its Microsoft certifications in the Enterprise Project Management / Portfolio Project Management and t he Independent Software Vendor competencies. As a Silver partner in the Microsoft Partner Network, this renewal makes the 9th consecutive year that HMS has been officially designated as a Gold or Silver partner. Yet, the relationship with Microsoft was established long before this. With the first release of TimeControl for Windows in 1995, HMS became one of the first Microsoft Project Solution Partners and has had a continual relationship with the Microsoft Project team since.
The references between HMS and Microsoft are so numerous that HMS has recently established a central portal with links to a wide range of webcasts, links, white papers, factsheets and other collateral. This new TimeControl / Microsoft portal can be found at Microsoft.timecontrol.com.
Oracle / TimeControl Resources Portal
HMS has also recently renewed as a Gold Certified Partner in the Oracle Partner Network. The relationship with Oracle started from multiple directions in the 1990s. HMS was an Oracle Technology Partner and many clients had deployed TimeControl with Oracle Financials, JD Edwards and PeopleSoft ERPs. These products would all become part of the Oracle family. HMS became a Primavera technology partner in 1997 and there has been a continuous link between TimeControl and Primavera since. Primavera is also an Oracle company.
HMS and Oracle have many points of contact and to help clients navigate through the myriad links and materials available, HMS has created an Oracle Technology Portal with ties to many elements of collateral in the TimeControl site. This TimeControl / Oracle Portal can be found at
oracle.timecontrol.com.
We’re on our way to Rochester!
HMS Software will be at the Rochester PMI Professional Development Day in Rochester NY on Thursday, May 16th. If you are going to the PMI event or you are in the Rochester area and would like to meet members of the HMS staff, please let us know.
The event is being held at the Rochester Plaza Hotel, 70 State Street, Rochester, NY from 7:15 am to 5:00 pm. You can get more information on the event on the Rochester PMI Chapter page at: http://pmirochester.org/meetinginfo.php?id=12.
If you’d like to schedule some one-on-one time with HMS staff to see the latest version of TimeControl or answer your TimeControl questions, please email Ken Edwards at: ken.edwards@hms.ca.
AGI Automation finds TimeControl invaluable!
It must be the season for compliments and we feel particularly thankful for some of the remarkable letters we’ve been receiving from our clients lately. The latest is from AGI Automation. AGI is an automation services integrator working in the oil and gas industry. They’ve been using TimeControl for some time and have integrated it with their internal billing and payroll processes. TimeControl is a key element of the AGI project control process according to Garry Ingham of AGI. His letter “highly recommends TimeControl for any sized company looking for a project-driven, intuitive time entry system…”
Is it any wonder why we think of our clients as partners? You can read Garry’s letter in its entirety at www.timecontrol.com/resources/testimonials/tst_agi.php and you can find out more about AGI Automation on their website at agi-automation.ca.
What Value Recovery is saying about TimeControl
We’re Canadian. It’s natural to be somewhat understated and modest. But that’s becoming tougher around the HMS offices lately lately thanks to some of the letters we’ve been getting from our clients. One of the more recent from Value Recovery makes us blush.
Jeff Riley, the Accounting Manager at Value Recovery says that not only did TimeControl meet all of their requirements for US Government DCAA compliance but that the product and service from HMS was “First Class”.
Thanks Jeff. We’ think you’re pretty darned first class yourself!
Value Recovery is a US-based firm that specializes in Asset Management and Recovery services for both the public and private sector. You can find out more about them at www.valuerecoverygroup.com and you can read Jeff’s letter to HMS in the TimeControl Client Testimonials page.