When you publish a multi-functional timesheet like TimeControl, it should be no surprise to see a conceptual data diagram that includes all the places timesheet data might be used or which might integrate with other corporate systems. We see such diagrams virtually every week. 
For many organizations, becoming more effective requires integrating systems from many sources. Big ERP vendors will promote doing everything under their umbrella but that’s not always practical for operational systems. As soon as you must consider a project or estimating or cost control or government compliance system, you have to think about the timesheets that will drive the actuals.
The worst-case scenario is finding an organization that is trying to support more than one timesheet system at a time. It’s hard enough to get people to fill in one timesheet in a week, imagine having to fill out two or three or more. We encounter this worst-case nightmare all the time. The challenge that TimeControl answers is having a single source of auditable timesheet data that can be used for multiple purposes and multiple systems at once.
That’s why the integration and interface abilities of TimeControl are such an important aspect of its functionality. TimeControl is known for having pre-built integration to more project and cost control systems than any other timesheet in the industry but the integration doesn’t stop there. Here are some of the tools that you can consider when building TimeControl into the center of your data universe.
Import and Export Transaction Files
Transaction File Interfaces are the most popular method of linking to or from a Finance or ERP system as CFOs can be reluctant to direct connect their Finance system with direct input or output. TimeControl can create a transaction file in many formats and then place that file in a place where the Finance, Payroll or ERP system can consume it and ensure that any data coming in is going through their systems business rules.
TimeControl can consume transaction files in just the same way. So, new employees can be added directly from the HR system by bringing in a transaction file. There are many file formats supported including CSV, XML and Excel formats among others. Not only can transaction files be consumed or generated on demand but TimeControl can schedule these links to occur at any time or as often as you require in the background. Files can be transferred to or from a network location, a laptop or to and from an FTP site to which you and your external corporate systems have access. This makes Transaction File integration as efficient on our subscription service, TimeControl Online as with TimeControl on premise. With this integration occurring in the background, the effect on users is to make the integration completely transparent.
Programmable Integration
The ultimate in integration is often considered to be through an Application Programming Interface (API) and TimeControl includes an API with bi-directional abilities to both send information out to or receive information from external systems. The RESTful API is extensive and highly secure. The API works in both the Online and on premise versions of TimeControl and TimeControl Industrial. Programming integration to the API takes more work but the level of integration is complete. Clients can weave TimeControl into as many other systems as are required to make an overall control environment.
Database to database direct connection
For clients who have TimeControl installed on premise, connections can even be made directly to and from the TimeControl database. TimeControl on premise can be installed on MySQL, SQL Server and Oracle databases and HMS provides the schema to allow for a direct SQL link to or from the database. There are rules, of course, when pushing data into TimeControl but our technical services can help with that.
Project Management and other Systems
TimeControl include direct pre-configured links to Project Management systems either on demand or on a schedule. With Microsoft Project Online, BrightWork and Primavera EPPM you can even have the link into TimeControl notice when a new project appears in the project system and import it automatically. Pre-configured links to other systems include:
TimeControl supports all of these connections simultaneously. You can have multiple project links, multiple corporate system links and using multiple techniques. This is why TimeControl is often the center of data flow diagrams in an organization as links may be used for any combination of bidirectional updates with project management, payroll, HR, billing, R&D reporting, job costing, presence management systems, contractor management and more.
To find our more about specific links, go to.
For more information on how TimeControl integrates with other systems, go to TimeControl.com/use-cases or contact us at TimeControl.com/Contact for help on integrating many requirements into a timesheet single system.
Not everyone is happy to read through manuals from cover to cover. After all the TimeControl printed documentation runs over 1,000 pages. But printed documentation is only one of the many tools available to Administrators and end-users on how to use TimeControl.
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