Recording working time with Time Tracking for Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation is the ne plus ultra when it comes to project management software. An incredibly comprehensive cloud app that boasts a wealth of functionality covering the entire project life cycle.

As part of the Dynamics 365 suite it of course also seamlessly connects with the other apps of the series that help you manage vital areas of your business, such as sales and service, thus eliminating disruptions of media.

Yet, no solution is perfect. It is both impossible and probably undesirable to develop an app that will satisfy every last user in every industry and country around the world. And this was never the goal of Dynamics 365.

Third-party apps for more functionality

One of the main pillars of the Dynamics 365 concept is adaptability. All Dynamics 365 apps are designed to be extended through third-party apps where functionality is missing, whether that is because local requirements are not met or industry- or company-specific needs are not fulfilled.

In dozens of customer projects over the years, we have discovered what functionality is essential for companies in project management. This is why we have developed three different add-ons for Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation: Time Tracking, Approval Manager and Project Gantt.

We want to introduce you to one of them today and show you what functionality gap it closes and how your business can benefit from implementing it.

What’s missing from time tracking in Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation?

Time entries in Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation are kept in what looks like a weekly calendar. However, at second glance, you will see it does not actually feature the time of day. Once you create a booking, the deficiency is obvious: all you can record is how long it took you to perform a certain task since bookings are duration-based only.

All bookings (that is time entries and costs) can only be created only by the team member that has been assigned to the project task in question.

Benefits of Time Tracking add-on

These are two issues that Time Tracking for Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation addresses.

Most importantly, by default bookings created via the app feature a start and end time. Bookings thus actually show not only how long it took to do something. But when exactly a task was carried out.

This also ensures that time sheets reflect work breaks. In some countries, there are statutory requirements to take breaks after a certain amount of time spent working. It is not possible to denote these in Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation by default.

By using Time Tracking for Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation you can substantially improve the precision of your reports and invoices.

With the add-on, users with the appropriate security role can also check resources’ schedules and create bookings on their behalf. This comes in handy when a task must be performed at a certain date and the project manager wants to make absolutely sure it is not forgotten about.

Time Tracking in use

Time Tracking for Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation is being used by companies with sophisticated project management needs. One of them is our customer Interflex Datensysteme GmbH, which was an early adopter of Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation.

Says Simon Schwarz, Team Leader Business Applications, of the app: “Time Tracking enables us to better fulfil our company goals regarding time bookings in Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation. Bookings are more precise, yet the process hasn’t become more complicated.”

To get a free trial version of Time Tracking, head to Microsoft AppSource.