TimeTracker

Note: Click on the images to enlarge them. 

Table of Contents

• TimeTracker Demo Video
• Setting up and Installing TimeTracker 
• Configuring TimeTracker
• Enrolling Employees in TimeTracker
• Clocking In/Out Using the TimeTracker Console
• Adjusting an Employee’s Time
• Employee Time Management Reports

TimeTracker Demo Video

Below is our video demonstration of BuildingLink's TimeTracker program:

Setting up and Installing TimeTracker 

To install TimeTracker, you must have a fingerprint reader and a computer with internet access (this can be the same computer the front desk staff uses to access BuildingLink). Fingerprint readers can be purchased from BuildingLink using the Equipment Order Forms. 

1. After purchasing a fingerprint reader, either follow the steps on our fingerprint reader installation page or contact BuildingLink Support. 

2. Once the fingerprint reader is installed, you will need to create a TimeTracker console. To do so, click on your Settings tab and select Displays and Consoles. Click Add Display/Console. Under Console Type, select TimeTracker Console. (If you don't see this option, the Employee Time Management module has not been turned on for your property. Contact BuildingLink Support to turn it on.) Choose a Console Name (Ex. TimeTracker) and then a Login name (Ex. Name of Property TT) and Password. Click Save to save your console.

3. Next, click here to download TimeTracker through our Universal Installer. 

Sign in using the "BuildingLink Installs" username and password. (Access this login info by clicking on Employees, clicking on BuildingLink Installs, and choosing either the Email Login Info or Print Login Info button to view the username and password.) If you like, you can change the name of your computer by clicking on the pencil icon.

Select Add next to TimeTracker and then click Install. 

If you don't have BuildingLink Connector installed on your computer, the system will prompt you to install Connector as well. Click Yes and follow the prompts to install Connector and TimeTracker. (For Connector installation screenshots, visit our Connector help page.) 

Once TimeTracker has finished installing, you will need to log in with the TimeTracker console login name and password you set up in Step 2. 

Configuring TimeTracker

Many TimeTracker settings can be edited by a Security Officer user in BuildingLink. To do so, log in to your building’s website, click on the Manage tab and select Employees.

At the top of the Employees screen, choose the Settings section under Employee Time Mgmt.  This screen allows you to dictate the specific start day and time of your payroll week, and to determine how employee breaks are handled.

You can also dictate rules for how overtime should be handled on payroll reports, and decide whether or not a Security Officer's approval is needed to register all staff fingerprints.

You can also set general timing and sound settings, as well as notification options. If you’d like to receive an email notification every time a user clocks in or out, enter the correct email address on this screen. Be sure to click Save Settings when done. 

Before clocking in, first make sure that TimeTracker is open and running. There are three places where the TimeTracker program may appear on your computer: (1) On the Start Menu, under "All Programs"; (2) As a shortcut on your Desktop; (3) As a small icon on the lower right corner of your screen, on the Taskbar.

If the TimeTracker icon is showing on the Taskbar (bottom right-hand corner of the screen), the program is already running. To see the TimeTracker console, double click on the small icon.  The console should appear on your screen as a large white box, and is ready to use.

If you do not see the TimeTracker icon on your Taskbar, click on Start Menu.  Select “All Programs,” find the folder titled “BuildingLink,” then click on TimeTracker. After you open the program, you should see the TimeTracker icon on your taskbar and the TimeTracker console should appear on your screen. 

Enrolling Employees in TimeTracker

By default, only users with Security Officer authority may enroll other employees. This may be changed when configuring TimeTracker. Please contact BuildingLink Support for additional help.

To begin, enroll your own fingerprints. Launch the TimeTracker Console and click the Enroll button. 

Sign in with your BuildingLink credentials. 

On your screen, you will see two hands. Click on the green square that corresponds with the specific finger you plan on using with the reader.  Any finger should work, although we find that thumbs are very occasionally problematic.

Next, place your finger on the fingerprint reader and remove it once the black fingerprint image appears in the first green box. Repeat this three more times and click Enroll again.  Please note that it’s important to do this fairly quickly as the screen may time out for security reasons and go back to the beginning without saving your fingerprint. If this happens, simply repeat the steps.

Once your own fingerprint has been enrolled, you can start enrolling other employees. Launch the TimeTracker console and click the "Enroll" button. You may sign in with your BuildingLink credentials or place your registered finger on the fingerprint reader. Click “Enroll Other User's Fingerprints" and select an employee from the list. The list will pull from the Employees section of BuildingLink; if a specific employee does not show up on the list, he/she has not yet been added to the BuildingLink employee list, and must be added before a fingerprint can be registered. (Click here for help adding BuildingLink employees.)

After clicking on the employee’s name, you will see two hands on the screen. Click on the green square that corresponds with the finger your employee plans on using with the Fingerprint Reader. Now, ask the employee to place his/her finger on the fingerprint reader and remove it after 2-3 seconds. Repeat this three more times and click Enroll again. Try to do this fairly quickly as the screen may time out for security reasons and go back to the beginning without saving your fingerprint. If this happens, simply repeat the steps.

The fingerprint reader is a sensitive device, and sometimes has trouble getting a good read on users who have dry skin.  If you have trouble with this step, try rubbing your finger against your forehead or nose to get a bit of extra moisture on your fingerprint.

Clocking In/Out Using the TimeTracker Console

Once your fingerprint has been registered, all you need to do to clock in is place the registered finger on the reader. Even if the console is not currently visible on the screen, TimeTracker is running in the background, and when the reader recognizes the user, the console will reappear and prompt you to Sign In or Sign Out.  On this screen, you may also type in any notes that relate to the clock-in if your building allows additional notes. 

After you click on Sign In, a small pop-up will let you know that you have successfully signed in, and will disappear after a few seconds. Depending on your building's settings, you may get the pop-up without needing to click on the Sign-In button.

Breaks: When configuring the TimeTracker Console, Security Officer Level Users may decide to track breaks. In order to sign out for a break, make sure you have already clocked In for the day. With the TimeTracker Console on the screen, place your registered finger on the fingerprint reader. The console’s screen will change to a grid of various time length choices. Click on the appropriate time length for the break. On this screen, you may also type in any notes that relate to the break. A small pop-up will let you know that you are now on break and will disappear after a few seconds.

Clocking Out: With the TimeTracker console on the screen, place your registered finger on the fingerprint reader. The console’s screen will change to a Sign In / Sign Out screen, where you may click on Sign Out. On this screen, you may also type in any notes that relate to this clock out (e.g., a reason why you’re leaving early). A small pop-up will let you know that you are now clocked out and will disappear after a few seconds. Depending on your building's settings, you may get the pop-up without needing to click on the Sign-Out button.

Adjusting an Employee’s Time

Anyone with Security Officer authority can adjust an employee’s time if an employee forgets to clock in or out. To do so, click on TimeTracker Activity Detail under the Employee Time Mgmt header. 

This will show you all clock-ins and outs within your search period. Click Adjust Time next to the record you’d like to change.

A pop-up will appear that allows you to change the date or time and add additional notes to the record. Make sure to click Update when done. 

Employee Time Management Reports

TimeTracker integrates with BuildingLink to provide several features to manage your employees’ time and attendance. To see these features, you must have Security Officer level in BuildingLink. These features are found under your Manage Tab in the Employees Section. Once you’ve clicked on Employees, make sure Employee Time Management is selected.

In/Out Grid: The grid shows you which of your employees are currently clocked in, on break, or not clocked in.

TimeTracker Activity Detail: This section displays clock ins/outs and breaks over a selected period of time. You may choose to see only one employee or all and select any date range. From this screen, you may also adjust times and add missing entries. Finally, you may export the information on this screen to an Excel or PDF file. 

Summary Reports and Timesheet Preparation: This section shows a summary of hours worked over a selected date range for timesheet preparation. You may select to see one or all employees. From this screen, you may also adjust times, add missing entries, and export the report to an Excel or PDF file.