Time & Payroll Module
Job Cost & Analysis Module
Materials Module
Scheduling Module
W.I.P. to Ship Module
Note; The master list of labor activities overlaps with the HR & Payroll setup. You will want to coordinate the HR Payroll requirements with the Production requirements.
All time tracking events are associated with a job and an activity. The master list labor activities will determine the level of detail for all labor reporting. It is essential to create a master list of labor activities that match the production flow with enough detail to support diagnostic value. Additionally, if using the Scheduling Module it is important to break out labor that may be equipment dependent. For example instead of having a high level activity for “Machining”, you may need to further divide these activities into CNC, edge banding, milling, etc.
The master list of activities are first created using a spreadsheet which will be imported. The spreadsheet approach allows you to copy and paste and make lots of adjustments as you work through the development of your list.
A spreadsheet template may be created from the TracManager software by clicking on the Excel ICON located at the top of the activity Center list of activities. You may also download the spreadsheet see links below.
Activities are grouped together to allow reporting and budgeting by the group instead of the specific activity. When creating a master list of activities, we always recommend starting with the group and then dividing the group into additional detail as needed
The “activity” is what employees clock their time to. Every activity has an activity code and a description. When activities are presented to employees they always include the code and the description together. Activities may also be designed at “setup”, “rework” or “overhead”. An overhead activity is an activity that is not contributing toward the production of the product, such as “break”.
The development of the master list of activities is a critical component to the system and require thoughtful attention. Tractivity recommends starting with the high level groups and then dividing. Consider the number of transactions employees will be making throughout the day. If the choices are too detailed there will be too much interruption and is the detail is not detailed enough the ability to report and diagnose time and cost issues may not be sufficient.
Every activity is assigned to an activity class. The activity class provides and additional identity for tracking and reporting labor. Each activity class may include an additional overhead cost per hour – See Job Cost and Analysis section.
The best way to work create your initial master list of activities is to use an Excel spreadsheet that will be imported. This allows you the ability to copy and paste and re-arrange the list until you are satisfied with it. Typically the list is shared with your Tractivity Support person for review.
To download an example list click here: SampleActivities
To download the blank spreadsheet template click ImportActivities
For additional online help click here
A customer’s order is called a “job” in TracManager. Some may refer to the job as a project, order or some other term. TracManager includes “jobs” that are revenue producing (the customer is paying for) and also jobs that are overhead jobs that you are not being paid for.
Since all time tracking is associated with a job, there are special jobs set aside for capturing special time such as vacation, holiday etc. There may also be “jobs” created for capturing time and cost against equipment or other overhead functions as may be desired.
Every job is identified with a unique job code. Sometimes referred to as the job name or number. In TracManager every job will have a job code and a description and In most instances the two are displayed together to make it easy to identify. There are “production” jobs which generate revenue as well as “overhead” jobs. In addition to the job code an option sub job may be used. The nomenclature for the sub job is customized by the configuration.
Jobs
The job code is usually a numeric value consisting of a specified number of digits. For example a 4 digit numeric value setting would cause leading zeros to be included for job number less than 4 digits. When using a numeric code the number of characters is always consistent.
This provides easier to read lists and proper sorting. Jobs may also be identified as an alpha-numeric code. When using an alpha-numeric code the number of character is not necessarily consistent.
In some instances it may be tempting to try to code a meaning into the job code such as the sales person, year of order etc. Although this may have been useful in the prior tracking method, it may not be necessary with the TracManager system since a vast amount of information is associated with the job code and easily accessed. If possible, keep the job code simple.
Sub Jobs
Job time and cost may be tracked at the sub job level if desired. The nomenclature for the term is configurable. Examples include phase, room, section, WO etc. The hub job identity may be set to a numeric value with a fixed number of digits (recommended) or as a free form expression. Every job will have a sub job assignment.. If the sub job is not used, a “blank” sub job is created.
For help configuring the job identity click here.
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