TimeControl is an enterprise system and, like all enterprise systems, it rarely exists alone.  Since its very first version, one of TimeControl’s most important features is its ability to integrate with other tools.  Over its long history, those integration abilities have evolved with many different features.  In some organizations, it will be desirable to see a seamless integration driven by the particular needs of certain tools.  Linking with Project Management tools is often like that.  The movement of data between TimeControl and Project Management tools means a certain back-and-forth with each transaction because so much of the transaction affects to many other things.  This is why TimeControl includes pre-built integrations with so many project management packages.  For Finance, however, it is extremely common for a CFO to tell us that they have no desire for any external system to push data into their ERP system.  They far prefer a transaction file to be created to their specifications and that they will consume that file with their own controls.

TimeControl has many ways to serve up or consume data.  Let’s take a look at a few:

Imports and Exports

One of the easiest and most popular ways to move data between TimeControl and other corporate systems is to use the TimeControl import and export links.  This functionality has been enhanced numerous times over the years and it works just as well in TimeControl Online as is does in TimeControl on premise.

TimeControl can consume a file for import (such as updated employees from new hires) on demand at any time.  The file can be in Excel or CSV format and you can use a pre-existing template to move the data in from your PC or wherever you access it at any time.

TimeControl Imports and Exports can be automated to happen behind the scenes on a pre-defined schedule.  You can use encrypted secure FTP transfer protocols to locate a file for import or to transmit a file as an export and then automatically send an email announcing if the file was transferred successfully or if intervention is needed.  This can be a great way to update TimeControl from HR records.  The HR system can create an onboarding file for TimeControl in a specific location and TimeControl can check for it and consume it overnight.  There will be a log of the file import so the Administrator can make sure it was imported successfully.

We tend to talk about Import/Export as an interface rather than an integration but that’s semantics.  The data is being integrated between different systems in a controlled and monitored fashion.

Links to Project Management

TimeControl comes with numerous pre-built and configurable integrations with Project Management Systems.  This has always been a part of TimeControl. Given TimeControl’s multi-decade longevity, some vendors are no longer supported because their products are no longer supported.

Project Management Links are almost all bi-directional based on the capabilities of the pm system in question.  These include links to Microsoft Project, Project Online, Project Server, Project for the Web, InEight, Hard Dollar, BrightWork, Contruent, Open Plan, Oracle’s Primavera and Primavera EPPM.

Authentication for these tools is managed within TimeControl depending on the requirements of the system.

Links via API

TimeControl’s ultimate integration is its bi-directional full service RESTful API (Application Programming Interface).  This interface allows the client to create code to access TimeControl directly to push data or to pull data out for almost every aspect of the system.  The API makes sure that requests through it won’t violate TimeControl’s referential integrity or any of the other database-based or configuration based rules.The API’s power is extensive.

This is one method clients can use to pull TimeControl data and then data updates for external data management systems like Microsoft Power BI or other reporting or analysis tools.

Talk to a TimeControl specialist about your particular needs of integrating TimeControl with other corporate systems.