Many versions of TimeControl ago, we were confronted with a dilemma.

How do we search the TimeControl tables?

TimeControl is architected around many interrelated tables and each of these tables can hold dozens or hundreds of fields.  Some of these fields may be designed for internal system use. Some may contain data.  Some may only contain data if that TimeControl instance has been configured to use those fields.

Presenting a search dialog that would search every single field in every single table was not a solution.  The possible returns for a search inquiry would deliver many, many more possible returns than was useful.  After all, if you’re searching for something, the point is to find it!

So we created the Search Interface Configuration.  It is located in the Maintenance menu of TimeControl and is often set up only during the initial configuration or perhaps from time to time when additional User Defined fields are created and configured.

The configuration is extremely simple.  The Administrator simply selects which fields on a particular table will be ones they want to use for searching.  All the main tables are there to be configured.

The effects of the configuration are felt in the interface of each table.  On the top left of each screen above the list of table entries, is the “Search” bar.  Entering criteria for the search here will honor all the fields that have been selected in the Search Interface Configuration.  What could be easier?

This structure allows a TimeControl Administrator to have the best of both worlds: a simple interface that any user can take advantage of and at the same time, robust search functionality that can extend to whatever fields are relevant to them.

It’s just another way that TimeControl can be adapted to every client.