For those using TimeControl 5 or TimeControl 6, you’ll be happy to know that we’ve completed our testing under the just-released version P6r8 and that TimeControl and release 8 are working together just fine. No new TimeControl upgrade is required in order to do your Primavera upgrade as the current releases of TimeControl 5 and TimeControl 6 flew through our tests with flying colors.
Keeping TimeControl 6 from timing out!
Users of TimeControl 6 may have found that after a few minutes their TimeControl session times out. This is something controlled from within Internet Explorer 7.
Here is a quick little tutorial on how to modify the TimeControl 6 session timeout from within IIS 7.
1. Session State
We use the session state value as a timer to show the “Session timed out” message that will force users out of TimeControl. This value is the main control for the lifetime of session variables. To set this value:
- Open IIS and click/select the TimeControl web site; this will show a range of options on the right hand side of the screen including an item under “Application Development” titled “Session State”. Double-Click “Session State”.
- When opening the session state options a dialog will appear. All options should appear as the screen shot below does and to change the timeout value simply modify the value in the “Time-out (in minutes):” field and click “Apply”.
This tells the application how long a session is allowed to live. However, this isn’t the only option that needs to be modified because in our code we also check the validity of the user’s authentication ticket which is a separate time-out value.
2. Forms Authentication
The forms authentication uses an authentication ticket that is created when a user visits the site, and then tracks the user throughout the site. In TimeControl 6, we validate this ticket every time we load the page and if the ticket is no longer valid we redirect the user to the login page. If the session state is modified, the forms authentication will need to be modified as well.
- Open IIS and click/select the TimeControl web site. On the right hand side there will be an option under “Security” for “Authentication”. Double-Click “Authentication”.
- A list should be shown with a few items including “Forms Authentication”. Select the “Forms Authentication” item from the list and further to the right hand side of the screen an “Edit…” link will light up. Click “Edit…”.
- The options for forms authentication will appear in the dialog and should look like the screen shot below. The “Authentication cookie time-out (in minutes):” needs to change to match the setting for session state.
These two time-out settings are used by the TimeControl 6 web site code and work well for a high traffic site, but what if it isn’t a high traffic site? In IIS “Application Pools” there is a setting for an “Idle Time-out”; meaning if there is NO traffic on the web site for x number of minutes then the Application Pool will recycle the web site, terminating any and all sessions.
3. Application Pool Idle Time-out
- Open IIS and click/select the “Application Pools” from the left hand list. A list of applications pools will appear, click/select the application pool used by the TimeControl web site.
- There will be a link on the right hand side of the screen under the heading “Edit Application Pool” title “Advanced Settings…” click this link. A dialog will appear with a number of options but we are only interested in the item under “Process Model” that reads “Idle Time-out (minutes)”. This value should get a setting equal to the session state and forms authentication to ensure the web site application doesn’t force a recycle before the session is supposed to time out.
These are the values that affect the TimeControl 6 session.
TC6 and ASP Impersonation
You’d think that the word “impersonation” would be used only by those trying to defeat security but in fact, the term is quite commonly used by those dealing with web-based services such as those found in .Net applications like TimeControl 6. We’ve had a couple of clients who are not using the default ASP.Net security profile when running TimeControl 6 under Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2 and only under some circumstances clients have experienced a The pipe name could not be obtained for the pipe URI: 5 (0x5) error to indicate that Access to the website and the service was denied.
To fix the problem, Microsoft tells you to enable “Impersonation” (no, I’m not kidding).
You can find out more about how to do this within your Windows Server environment, take a look at
Configure ASP.NET Impersonation Authentication (IIS 7) which one of our clients pointed us to.
TimeControl 6 Solutions Overview
Tc6 solutions
View more presentations from CVandersluis.
Customizing the TimeControl 6 login screen
Did you know that you can add your logo or other information to the TimeControl 6 login screen to customize it for your own use? It’s true. Within the design of TimeControl 6’s login screen we’ve hidden a blank graphic called CompanyLogo.gif. It’s a 300×300 pixels white graphic that you can replace with your own. You typically wouldn’t see this screen as we’ve placed the white square over a white part of the login but if you make your browser quite small as you can see in the picture on the right, the white graphic becomes immediately apparent. To change the graphic, replace it with a GIF of identical size. The file is located in the installation directory of TimeControl 6 under the /images/Logos/ directory.
Linking to Primavera Financial Periods
When linking with Primavera’s P6, TimeControl can now optionally send actuals to be posted directly to Primavera’s financial period table. This is the same destination supported by P6 when “Period to date Actuals” are activated and then posted into a particular financial period.
Using this feature will update both the Actuals which are already updated by previous versions of TimeControl and the period records so that financial and earned value reports in Primavera will report the data in the appropriate financial areas.
In order to activate this function, the Primavera Administrator must first define the financial periods and ensure that the Financial periods completely cover any period for which actuals might be sent from TimeControl. This is done in the Primavera Administration menu.
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If data from TimeControl is transferred while this option is on and the appropriate financial period for the TimeControl “Date Work Performed is not located, the transferred data will be rejected and this will be reflected in the PM Links log.
In the TimeControl Project Transfer options, the “Transfer to Primavera Periods” option must be selected.
When this option is selected, the Date Transfer Options are no longer selectable as the “Date Work Performed” now becomes the relevant transfer date. This date will be used to determine which Primavera financial period in which to put the posted line data from TimeControl.
TimeControl 6 Free Hosted Trial site now available
You can now try TimeControl 6 for free on the TimeControl 6 Trial site! Simply go to www.timecontrol.com/download/register/ and sign up and you will be given instant access to a hosted trial of our exciting new version of TimeControl.
(For users who have recently registered, you will need to re-register as the system’s user table was reset for the new version)
The TimeControl 6 trial requires nothing to install to get the main timesheet functionality up and running in moments on your browser. You will be able to see the timesheet, the timesheet list adjustments, the brand new vacation request module “TimeRequest”, the new MyOptions and approvals. And, you’ll be asble to try all of this in a range of browsers, computers and operating systems.
For those who want to delve deeper into the administration functions you’ll see instructions and the requirements for making these functions available to you which will require using Internet Explorer and allowing ActiveX controls.
TimeControl 6 upgrades now available
For those clients who have patiently been waiting for their upgrades to TimeControl 6, the upgrades to the new version are now available. Clients with a current support contract can download the upgrades which includes a full installation of TimeControl 6, and a complete ISO image of the CD. In addition, the download area includes the Installation and Upgrade guide which includes the hardware requirements, the installation instructions for the new version and instructions on how to upgrade an existing TimeControl 5.1.8 database to the new version.
Clients with existing support contracts should go to www.timecontrol.com/support/updates where the new version is available at no additional charge.
Clients whose support contracts have expired can contact custsvc@hmssoftware.ca to update their contract.
TimeControl Public Sector Solution Page
Interest in TimeControl from the Public Sector has grown in recent years and there are some very good reasons why. More and more, organizations in the public sector are being called upon to manage themselves as though they were in the private sector. The interest in transparency, good governance and effective use of taxpayer funds has expanded in recent years and this interest has fostered a keen interest in the public sector of flexible off the shelf timesheet systems. We’ve created a new Public Sector Solution Page for TimeControl on the website.When public sector organizations search for a timesheet they have some key criteria. TimeControl has a unique combination of characteristics that make it attractive to these public sector needs which include flexibility, aease of use, ability to link to existing systems, speedy deployment, low cost, and which is known in the public sector.
Interest for TimeControl from public sector organizations continues to grow. If you are working in the Public Sector and are facing timesheet challenges, take a look at the TimeControl Public Sector Solutions area.
HMS readies TimeControl 6 upgrades
We know that existing TimeControl clients have been waiting patiently for TimeControl 6 to arrive. We have been waiting for is the module to convert older TimeControl databases into the TimeControl 6 format. We’re happy to let everyone know that this code is complete and testing for the migration tool has also been completed. Packing the TimeControl 6 updates and putting some finishing touches on documentation is wrapping up now and we will be making the TimeControl 6 upgrade available to clients early next week. This version of TimeControl will be made available at no cost to existing TimeControl clients who have a current support contract. Clients who wish to ensure their support contract is up to date should check with support@hmssoftware.ca.
TimeControl 6 updates as well as a complete installable version and even an ISO CD image file will be available from the www.timecontrol.com/support/updates/ area for any clients whose support is current .