Boise, Idaho - April 1, 2008 - Today, TSheets.com (www.tsheets.com) announced the launch of a new standard for web-based timekeeping called "Time Clock 2.0". This standard was developed to create a benchmark for emulating the simple clock-in/out functionality of traditional time clocks, while still providing a web-based application.
"We created this standard because most of the time keeping software is just too expensive and not practical for small business owners", says Matt Rissell, CEO of TSheets. The standard focuses on the most critical point of time tracking, clocking in and clocking out. "If you can't make it easy to clock in and out, business owners will just revert to paper timesheets", says Rissell. Other elements of the standard include mobile clocking in/out, managing multiple locations, and payroll reporting.
Founded in 2006, TSheets is part of a growing web segment called "Software-as-a-Service" (SaaS) that uses a subscription-based business model to spread the costs of software over 1000s of users, making it affordable for small business owners to use modern technology. Examples include Google's Gmail, Salesforce.com, Yugma.com and dozens of other web-based business tools. Part of the popularity of SaaS applications is that they typically have a low monthly fee based on the number users, with support and upgrades often included in the subscription fee. "Time Clock 2.0 is really made possible by the SaaS business model" says Rissell.
A typical small business owner still uses paper time sheets or analog punch clocks for managing employee time. Most PC-based time keeping applications are bundled with expensive HR or payroll packages. Other web-based software is available, but caters primarily to single-users such as free-lancers or contractors. TSheets' customers are small business owners with 5 to 20 employees. "Our focus is the small business owner and his or her employees" says Rissell. Thus the focus on emulating an environment that a small business owner is most used to. The key to making it easier to user for small business owners was simplicity. "We are constantly reminding ourselves who our core audience is" says Rissell.
Rissell has plenty of first-hand experience with the issues of time-keeping. As the owner of a chain of printing supply stores, Rissell experienced first-hand the frustrations of dealing with time sheets, payroll preparation, and consolidating multiple locations. "I just thought this was part of running a business", says Rissell. What bothered Rissell the most was the actual process of tracking time. "I knew that the numbers weren't accurate, and it was driving me crazy" says Rissell. Most of this was not dishonest employees, but just the inherent nature of using paper time tracking methods. After not being able to find an application that would work for his business, Rissell contracted with a top developer named Brandon Zehm to build a web-based application. After using the application for a month, the results were obvious. "We figured we saved about $2000 in the first month" says Rissell. Not long after, Rissell sold his business and partnered with Zehm to start TSheets. "After my last company having the headache of over 30 employees and four locations, I was passionate about my next business being web based" said Rissell.
Since then, they have focused on keeping that original simplicity while still adding robustness and functionality. In addition to the announcement of the Time Clock 2.0 initiative, TSheets also announced the release of several new features of their web-based time tracking software, including the release of a free single-user version. One of the most unique new features is a time sheet editor that uses Rich Internet technology to allow managers to edit time sheets through a graphical interface called "Time Slider". Additional enhancements in this version include Paid Time Off (PTO) tracking, Quickbooks integration, and additional reporting functionality.
To learn more, visit TSheets' website at http://www.tsheets.com/.
TSheets (www.tsheets.com) is a web-based time and attendance program that allows you and your employees to clock in and out from a computer or cell phone. Currently, TSheets’ customers have several thousand employees using TSheets throughout the world and is multiplying daily. Founded in 2006, TSheets is based in Meridian, ID and currently has a staff of nine.
