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Time and Attendance Plus FAQ

  • General Questions
    • What is Time and Attendance Plus?
    • How can I try Time and Attendance Plus?
    • Why should I use Time and Attendance Plus?
    • Are the reports in Time and Attendance Plus up-to-date?
    • Can I use Time and Attendance Plus on a network?
    • What operating systems does Time and Attendance Plus run on?
    • How much does Time and Attendance Plus cost?
    • Do I have to pay for every computer I install it on?
    • How do I buy Time and Attendance Plus?
  • Installation
    • How do I install Time and Attendance Plus?
    • How do I get started once it is installed?
    • Where is my Time and Attendance Plus data stored?
    • Where should I put the backend MS Access database?
    • How do I uninstall Time and Attendance Plus?
  • Using the Software
    • Modes of Operation
    • Payroll Reports
    • Overtime Calculations
    • Can Time and Attendance Plus round report data?
    • Seeing who is clocked in and who isn't
    • I want to stop employees clocking in and out for each other
    • Can I use Time and Attendance Plus with a Touchscreen?
    • Can Time and Attendance Plus be used with a Barcode Scanner or Magnetic Card Reader?
    • There's something I'd like to see added to Time and Attendance Plus
  • Support and Troubleshooting
    • I'm getting some other error when I run Time and Attendance Plus

General Questions

What is Time and Attendance Plus?
Time and Attendance Plus is a time and attendance program for businesses that need to replace their manual time and attendance system or a mechanical punch clock system. It runs on most Microsoft Windows based operating systems.

How can I try Time and Attendance Plus?
You can just download the free trial version. You can use the trial version completely un-restricted for 30 days. In the trial version the only restriction is a watermark that is printed on all reports. As an added bonus the trial version of Time and Attendance Plus will keep functioning after the end of the trial period but you'll be restricted to 3 employees. It will keep working this way forever.

Why should you use Time and Attendance Plus?
To improve your payroll accuracy and efficiency and save your company time and money. If you're currently using a manual timesheet, a mechanical time clock, or even an Excel system then you're most likely spending around 5 minutes per week per employee just tallying up totals. All this time is spent before you've even done your payroll calculations, there's still more time you'll waste doing this. So for a company with 20 employees using Time and Attendance Plus you could save an hour a week, and recoup the cost of the software in just 2 to 3 weeks. With 50 employees you'll see a positive return on your investment in just a week.

Are the reports in Time and Attendance Plus up-to-date?
Time and Attendane Plus accesses only the most up to date and current information from the database containing all software information.

Can Time and Attendance Plus be used on a network?
Yes, of course, this is the best was to use it and ensures the maximum benefit to your company. If you're using the Microsoft Access backend then this file can be stored in a shared directory anywhere on your network. Note that all computers that need to access this database must have full permissions on the directory the database is in. If you're going to use the SQL Server backend database then every computer running the Time and Attendance Plus program must be able to see the database. The database user that Time and Attendance Plus uses to log into the SQL Server database must have permissions to add tables, delete tables, and make modifications to tables.

Can the same Time and Attendance Plus database be accessed from multiple computers?
Yes, this allows you to collect your information in a distributed manner into a central database. The normal setup would be to install the Time and Attendance Plus Client on the computers you want to collect information on, and the main Time and Attendance Plus program on the computer you want to generate reports on. Each software installtion is connected to the shared database or SQL Server. Note that you will need to purchase a connection license for each computer you wish to install the client software on.

What platforms does Time and Attendance Plus run on?
Time and Attendance Plus runs on Microsoft Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista. Some computers running Windows 98/Me/NT may need some updates from Microsoft to be installed before running the software.

How much does Time and Attendance Plus cost?
You must pay for each computer you wish to install Time and Attendance Plus on. For the latest pricing information take a look at the online shop.

Do I have to pay for every computer I install it on?
Yes. Exactly how much you pay depends on whether you are using the client or main program, and how many licenses you require.

How do I buy Time and Attendance Plus?
You can purchase Time and Attendance Plus using our online shop. You can pay online via credit card or paypal, via phone, purchase order, or wire transfer.

Installation

How do I install Time and Attendance Plus?
Just download the trial version of Time and Attendance Plus from the Time and Attendance Plus website. All you need to do is run this file. Once downloaded the software will take you through the installation process. Note that under Windows Vista you will need to install the software as the Vista Administrator.

How do I get started once it is installed?
Time and Attendance Plus will add an item to your programs list, and optionally you can choose to put a shortcut to it on your desktop. The first time you run the software you'll be asked to enter an administrator password and then given the option to view a short tutorial in the program itself. It is well worth the few minutes it takes to do this as you will be shown all of the major elements of the software, basic concepts will be explained to you, and you can create some sample data. If you need more information you can take a look at the Getting Started section of this help file.

Where does Time and Attendance Plus store program data?
All program data is stored in a database, by default this is a Microsoft Access 2000 database. With the default program settings this file is called 'taplus.mdb' and can be found in the common user data directory. For Windows 2000 and XP type operating systems this is most likely C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Time and Attendance Plus\. Note that you don't actually need to have Microsoft Access to use Time and Attendance Plus.

Optionally you can use SQL Server (or MSDE or SQL 2005 Express) to store your Time and Attendance Plus data. There is an extra cost associated with this and you must supply your own database licenses. However, the benefits of doing this are great, with a much better level of reliability, speed, and scalability over the default MS Access option. If you have SQL Server available in your organization then we strongly recommend using this backend database option.

Where should I put the backend MS Access database?
Somewhere on your computer network or local computer that is regularly backed up. You can change the location of your database by logging into Time and Attendance Plus as the administrator and going to the Tools & Options->Options->System Options menu. Just click the Move button to take you through the process of moving the database.

How do I uninstall Time and Attendance Plus?
You can uninstall the software by running the "Uninstall Time and Attendance Plus" shortcut that is created when the software is installed. The other method is to remove it via the Add/Remove Programs applet under the Windows Control panel.

Using the Software

Modes of operation
Time and Attendance Plus has two primary modes of operation. Normal mode is the state the software is in to collect data, this is the mode in which employees use the software to clock in and out. Administrative mode can be activated using the File->Log In As Administrator menu. You'll need to be logged in as the Administrator to configure the software and generate payroll reports. The Time and Attendance Plus Client software has an administrative mode too, but there is a very limited feature set in this mode (for example you cannot run reports, create employees, or any of the more advanced features).

What are employees?
You should have at least one employee record in Time and Attendance Plus for each employee you wish to track attendance data for. Employee records allow you to configure pay rates, store human resources data, and track departmental or shift costs.

Payroll Reports
Time and Attendance Plus can generate several different configurable payroll reports suitable for supply to your payroll department.

Overtime calculations
Time and Attendance Plus can track overtime on a normal weekly basis, a daily basis, or both. Employees can have overtime calculated for them whether they are paid an hourly rate or a salaried rate.

Can Time and Attendance Plus round report data?
Time and Attendance Plus can report to the nearest second if you wish, or it can round all reports (nearest 6 minutes, nearest 15 minutes, nearest 30 minutes). Optionally it can also do least quantity rounding (clock in times are always rounded UP and clock out times are always rounded DOWN).

Seeing who is clocked in and who isn't
You can see who is currently clocked in and out on the Employee List, alternatively you can run the Current Status Report to see the same information.

I want to stop employees clocking in and out for each other
You can define each employee with a PIN and on the Tools & Options->Options->Interface Settings click the 'Require Employee PIN' checkbox.

Can I use Time and Attendance Plus with a Touchscreen?
The keypad data entry mode was designed to be used easily with a touch screen. A mouse and keyboard are still required to use the administrative functions of the software.

Can Time and Attendance Plus be used with a Barcode Scanner or Magnetic Card Reader?
Time and Attendance Plus can make use of any external device that can supply data to the PC via a keyboard wedge. This includes the vast majority of barcode scanners and magnetic card readers. The Keypad interface of the software is designed to be able to use such devices. Just encode your cards / bar codes with the Time and Attendance Plus badge numbers and employees will be able to clock in and out directly using your scanner / reader. A mouse and keyboard are still required to use the administrative functions of the software.

There's something I'd like to see added to Time and Attendance Plus
Then email TSMTS Software. We're always happy to hear the suggestions of our users and often these form the basis of on-going development of our software. If you'd like a custom version of the software we can also perform modifications on a fee for service basis.

Support and Troubleshooting

I'm getting an Error When Running Time and Attendance Plus
No software is perfect and bugs will happen. If they do then please email TSMTS Software. We don't let bugs last long, and nearly all errors will be fixed in the next release. When an error does happen within the software you should be given an opportunity to email us the details, please do so and check the 'Attach Log Files' check box.