Time Management Product Features Cont...

Automated 

MetriQ uses Preemptive timing for all of its automated time capture. Preemptive timing means the Client Project Task or subtask to be worked on is chosen BEFORE work actually begins. As MetriQ is an icon based software package, Client Project Task or subtask folders hold software icons that can be launched from within MetriQ, and as the software is in use MetriQ accrues time for use of that software. 

iTime®

MetriQ uses Permissive timing for activities such as telephone or meetings. Permissive timing is where the work is DONE FIRST and then assigned to a particular Client Project Task or subtask folder. MetriQ's iTime is a typical example of permissive timing and when used allows MetriQ to move from Preemptive to permissive timing for capturing time spent on unrelated computer events such as telephone calls, meetings etc. Time accrued can be split into different folders.

Time Away 

When your are away from your computer for predefined period of time, MetriQ seamlessly moves into Time Away Mode. On your return, MetriQ will prompt you to allocate the time you've been away into different Client Project Task and subtask folders. Time accrued can be split into different folders. 

Manual 

MetriQ also permits the use of Manual Update for all timing entries. Time can be added for past and future events such as holidays meetings etc. Time can also be added or removed on a cost basis. If your charge-out rate is $100/hour, MetriQ will allow you to add or remove $1000 worth of time for a particular folder (e.g. 10 hours of time).

Time Marshal 

The Time Marshal allows MetriQ to track your time, even when your computer is not switched on. For example if you logged off at 4pm on a Friday afternoon and returned to work Monday morning at 11 am, MetriQ would prompt you to allocate 3 hours of time (assuming you've declared your Client Project days are Monday through to Friday, 9am-5pm work time.)

hms/units 

MetriQ can time in hms or fixed units size. When used in fixed unit size, the number of minutes can be varied from 1 to 999, and can be different for each folder (see also Folder Profiles). 

Folders

Hierarchical folders are used to structure all timing data. Folders can be nested to any level and in general are used to determine how time captured is to be viewed for performance analysis, reporting, charting and invoice generation. A typical folder structure might be something like:

Client Name
      Client Project
            Project Task
                  Project Subtask

Folders may contain software and/or document Icons, which when launched through MetriQ are timed automatically as they are used.

Folder structures are dynamic and can be manipulated on the fly, have numerous administration fields and Notes.

Architecture 

For a Lite version installation, MetriQ's architecture is always standalone. For the Professional version of MetriQ, a centralised Client/Server architecture is recommended.

Templates 

Templates are used to allow MetriQ to create predefined folder structures. Templates allow for the import of 3rd party client listings directly into MetriQ. 

Status Control 

Folders can be defined to have different status (Ongoing, Archived, Template or Completed); can specify a Priority from Very High to Very low;

Security 

Client Lock is a feature whereby Clients can password lock the Project settings, ensuring data is accurate and cannot be changed without authorisation.

Menu Search 

MetriQ allows you to search through a large client database, or to use quick key navigation to access to any desired folder  

Wizards 

Use MetriQ's wizard to quickly create new Folders and sub-folder structures. 

Billable and non-billable 

Folders within MetriQ can be declared as billable or non-billable. When defined as billable all icons held by that folder can be either billable or non-billable, where as icons held by a non-billable folder can only be of type non-billable. 

Profile

Each folder has its own Profile (see Administration). Profiles determine attributes of the folder, such as the duration before MetriQ goes into Time Away mode, Unit size for rounded units, Project days and start, end dates as well as budgets and forecast end dates. 

Data Lock

Each folder can have a specified time frame or date that locks users from managing their time for that folder after the lock date. Once locked, the data cannot be updated or cut and pasted.

Timing

Whenever an icon is double clicked, the software representing that icon is opened and timing begins. When another icon is opened, that icon now becomes active and accrues timing while the previously opened icon becomes inactive. Time accrued by each icon is displayed on the icon, which can be disabled in the Folder's profile.

Property Sheet

Each Icon held by  a User Folder has its own property sheet that determines the image used for the icon, the icon's name, if that icon is billable or non-billable, if that icon can be automatically launched when MetriQ autostart, if that icon is a 'Favourite Icon" for quick insertion into empty User Folders.

Manual Update

All icons can be manually updated for the past, present and future. Time by way of your own billing cost can also be updated manually.

Display Modes

Icons can be displayed as large icons, or in one of 3 different list flavours - similar to Window's file Explorer. 

Cut/Copy/Paste Icons and Icon time

One of the important aspects of MetriQ is that Icons (and time) can be cut and pasted to any other Client Project Task or subtask folder. This ability to manage time as an asset gives MetriQ unlimited flexibility in terms of proactive control from the user.

Persistence Mode

When set as persistent, ALL time irrespective of what other icons are in use, will pass to the persistent icon. When persistent mode is set, Icon's cannot go into Time Away Mode.

Icon Log 

Each Icon has its own notes field, organised by day, and includes time stamp for log entry.

Cool Off Period 

If an icon is within the cool-off period (typically 15 minutes), it can be removed from the folder without issue. If an icon exceeds the cool-off period, it cannot be deleted, and must first be reset (using manual override) before it can be safely deleted. 

Adding Icons to Folders 

Icons can be added to folders in numerous ways which include: Dragged and dropped from the Windows desktop, task bar, Explorer; By use of MetriQ's folder explorer; dragged/dropped or cut/pasted from other MetriQ folders; By use of Favourite Icons (see also MetriQ settings).

Staff Database 

Each user within MetriQ must be added to the Staff database, so they can log on. The staff database includes import facilities from CSV and Outlook, as well as settings to limit a user's access to administration functionality such as Folder management, Report access etc. The staff database also includes fields such as contract hours (for overtime calculations), address, contact info, Merge (for merging 2 staff together), Archive (for billing rates across different years) and more.

Client Database 

Enter your list of Clients, or import from CSV or Outlook. Used for Invoice control, and the creation of new homogeneous folders. 

Roles Database

When a user first double clicks an icon within a Folder, MetriQ will prompt that user to enter their Role, which determines their regular and overtime billable rates. e.g. Roles might be Manager, Administrator, Secretary or can be John Rate 1, John Rate 2, etc.

Profiles 

Each folder has it's own Profile. Profiles determine the characteristics of each folder, can be different for each folder and include the following: Duration before Time Away becomes active (typically 5 minutes),  Auto Save, Cool-off period, Project days and start/end times, unit size and notes.

Disbursements

MetriQ allows you to enter disbursements from a drop down list of available disbursement items. Each disbursement is relative to the folder it was opened on, and can be viewed within MetriQ's reports. 

Synchronisation

Used when MetriQ is to be used offline and out of the office. When connected back to the centralised database, all accrued time and icons is updated on the main server. 

Groups 

Groups of staff can be defined for use within Reporting and Charts, helping to enable managers see time and costs across different groups or teams of individuals. 

Observer

The observer tool allows administrators to see who's logged onto MetriQ, and the software/document they are currently working on. 

Favourite Icons

Favourite Icons allows users to quickly add icons to their empty folders. Once populated, F6 will add all icons, or individual icons can also be selected. MetriQ can also be configured so that all Favourite Icons are automatically added whenever the user enters a new and empty folder.

Review Card

The Review Card allows for staff to see how their time managment matches with expected contractual hours or work targets. Can be viewed by day or week. 

Settings 

MetriQ settings have a number of attributes to help you customise and manage how each installation of MetriQ behaves. 

WYSIWYG

MetriQ's reporting engine uses a What You See is What You Get (WYSIWYG) reporting format, to help maximize the presentation and analysis of the huge amounts of data collected by MetriQ on a day to day basis. The data presented (after filtering and filed selection has been applied) in a grid format, can then be exported, invoiced, charted and printed. 

Field Selection 

MetriQ collects data on over 160 different fields, making it one of the most comprehensive time tracking engines on the market today. Each field can be viewed or hidden, its logical order changed, and sorted on one or more fields. The number of data views permissiable within MetriQ is 2 power 160. Fields include Folder name, structure name, billable status, costs, time, overtime, staff name, start/end dates, cost ratios, disbursements and much more...

Filtering

MetriQ's timing records can be filtered by Date, Staff, Icon, Client folder, Billable/non-billable, manual/automated/Groups and local computer or all computers on the network.

Export 

Data can be exported in a range of formats including XML, HTML, Excel, Text and CSV. Exported data is based on Filtered and Field selections (WYSIWYG) output.

Builder Tool

Allows for multiple reports to be appended into the same WYSIWYG view.

Timing Folders

Reports data on all Timing Folders - includes single line executive summary.

Timing Icons

Reports data by individual timing icons. 

Disbursements 

Reports data on all disbursements. 

Workflow

Reports data on the order staff work. e.g Folder A -> Folder D -> Folder B -> Folder A. 

Plugins

MetriQ bespoke plugins for specialized report options and integration to 3rd part tools. 

Reports and Invoices

MetriQ comes with over 60 pre-formatted reports  and invoices. We also offer a bespoke service to create customized reports for a modest fee.

Charts 

MetriQ comes with it's own Charting engine with over 15 different chart types including bubble, Gantt, histogram, bar and pie. All charts can be rotated, zoomed, viewed in 3D, printed and copied to the clipboard ready for pasting into other software packages.

Presets

Use presets to pre-define filter settings, allowing administrators to quickly create new reports based on know required filter settings. 

Multiple Databases  

MetriQ uses FireBird as the primary data repository which, unlike many database systems, uses a single flat file to store all data. As such MetriQ allows for the use of multiple databases, which can be selected from a drop down menu.

Database Archive 

Archive facilities are provided on a yearly basis, allowing data from past years to be archived into removal seperate database files. 

Backup 

The MetriQ database can be backed up into a single compressed file, typically 20% the size of the starting database file. 

Restore 

Backed up databases can of course be restored, ready for opening at any time. 

Pack 

Pack is used to remove un-allocated space from within the database file.