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Time tracking and payroll management are critical yet often tedious tasks for any small business owner. Keeping accurate records of employee hours worked, calculating wages, generating paychecks, and staying compliant with labor laws is time-consuming and prone to human error. This is where automated time tracking software can help.

TimeclockMTS is a downloadable Windows-based time clock system designed specifically for small business owners who need an easy way to track employee time and prepare payroll. In this comprehensive review, we'll cover everything you need to know about TimeclockMTS to determine if it's the right time tracking solution for your business.

What is TimeclockMTS?

TimeclockMTS is time tracking software developed by Data Management Inc, a company that specializes in automated payroll solutions. It's designed to replace old-fashioned paper timesheets by allowing employees to digitally "punch in" and "punch out" from any Windows computer.

As a PC-based system, TimeclockMTS doesn't require any additional hardware like a physical time clock. The software handles everything from time tracking to reporting. It can calculate total hours worked, overtime, and compile the data needed for payroll preparation.

The target users for TimeclockMTS are micro and small business owners, as well as accounting professionals who handle payroll services for multiple clients. It's built to handle time tracking and payroll tasks for less than 100 employees.

Key Features of TimeclockMTS

Here are some of the main features included with TimeclockMTS:

- Easy employee time tracking with punch in/out: Employees can log in to any Windows PC on the network and punch in at the start of a shift and out at the end with their unique ID number.

- Automatic meal break deductions: The system can be configured to automatically deduct set meal break durations.

- Overtime pay calculations: TimeclockMTS calculates overtime based on rules you set up for daily and weekly overtime.

- Reporting: Generate detailed reports on hours worked, overtime, projected hours, etc. These can be exported as PDFs or Excel/CSV files.

- Payroll export: The software can create files that integrate directly with over 40 popular payroll systems, including QuickBooks, ADP, Paychex, and more. This eliminates duplicate data entry.

- PTO/vacation tracking: Assign PTO hours to employees and track vacation time taken. PTO details can be included in exports for payroll.

- User permission settings: Admins can restrict user access and permissions based on role. Set which features employees can access.

- Alerts and notifications: Get notifications for missed punches, late logins/logouts, and overtime. Receive alerts before payroll finalization.

- Multi-location support: The Pro version allows managing time across multiple business locations from a centralized database.

- Scalable for growth: Start tracking a few employees and scale up to hundreds as your business grows. The software can handle it.

- Free upgrades: Whenever a new version is released, you get free upgrades as part of the license cost.

- U.S.-based support: Get installation help, training, and technical support from their Arizona-based team.

TimeclockMTS Editions and Pricing

TimeclockMTS comes in three pricing tiers:

1. Single User Edition - $99 (one-time fee)

2. 5 User Edition - $149 (one-time fee)

3. Pro Edition - Starts at $399 (one-time fee)

The Single User Edition is designed for just one computer workstation. It can track time for 5 employees.

The 5 User Edition provides the flexibility for up to 5 Windows computers on the network to share the system for time tracking of up to 20 employees.

The Pro Edition is the top tier designed for businesses that need to track more employees across multiple locations. It starts at $399 for tracking 75 employees and goes up based on your needs.

Each edition after the Single User one includes free technical support for a year. Support can be extended annually for a fee. Upgrades to new versions are always free.

There is also a 30-day free trial available so you can test it out before purchasing. Overall, TimeclockMTS is competitively priced compared to other time and attendance systems.

Advantages of Using TimeclockMTS

From ease of use to robust features, here are some of the biggest advantages of TimeclockMTS for small business owners:

- Simple and intuitive software: Easy for employees to log hours worked and for admins to run reports and export payroll data. Minimal training needed.

- Improved payroll accuracy: Automated time tracking minimizes mistakes from manual calculations and handwritten timesheets.

- Saves time: No more wasting time deciphering handwriting and entering data. Let the software handle timekeeping.

- PC-based system: As downloadable Windows software, there's no need for extra time clock hardware. Use any computer on premises.

- Scales with your business: Start small and the software can still support your business as it grows to hundreds of employees.

- Integrates with many payroll systems: Eliminates double entering data into your payroll software.

- Full-featured free trial: Test drive the system for 30 days to evaluate if it's the right solution for your needs.

- Good value for money: Competitively priced compared to other time and attendance systems with more robust features.

- Free upgrades: Your license always includes free upgrades to new software versions.

Potential Drawbacks to Consider

While TimeclockMTS has many positives, there are a few potential downsides to consider:

- PC-only system: Without web or mobile access, employees can only punch in/out from a Windows computer on your office network.

- Limited mobile access: At this time, there are no mobile apps for remote clocking in/out. Employees would need a VPN connection to remote access your network.

- Requires downloads and installs: You have to download and install the software on each Windows PC, as well as set up the database. Could be tricky for those without technical know-how.

- No built-in biometrics: Unlike some systems, TimeclockMTS doesn't have functionality for finger-scan or facial recognition. Requires employees remembering their IDs.

- Free support limited to 1 year: To get ongoing maintenance and upgrades, you need to pay annually for extended support after the first free year.

- Not optimized for large workforces: For tracking more than 100 employees or complex payroll needs, a more robust system may be better suited.

Who Should Use TimeclockMTS?

TimeclockMTS is designed squarely for micro and small businesses who want an automated solution for simplifying time tracking and payroll preparation, without the complexity and cost of an enterprise system.

More specifically, it's best suited for companies that:

- Have less than 100 employees

- Need basic time punch in/out functionality without biometrics

- Don't require mobile or web access for clocking in remotely

- Want direct integration with popular payroll software

- Have employees who all work from one or a few locations

- Prefer a one-time fee over monthly SaaS subscription

- Have limited IT resources or expertise

For large or complex workforces and organizations with remote employees, a cloud-based system may be preferable. But for many small businesses, TimeclockMTS provides an affordable and full-featured time tracking solution.

Is TimeclockMTS Right for Your Business?

At the end of the day, choosing a time tracking system comes down to your specific business needs and budget. While there are more advanced solutions on the market, TimeclockMTS balances useful features with ease of use.

Before buying, be sure to make use of the free trial to determine if the software has everything you require. Testing it out with your actual employees and workflow is the best way to gauge if it's the right pick.

While weighing your options, keep in mind that setup and initial learning curve for TimeclockMTS is likely minimal compared to over-engineered enterprise systems. And the one-time fee per number of employees may be preferable if you don't want recurring SaaS payments.

For many small businesses without complex needs, TimeclockMTS offers an affordable path to streamlining time tracking and payroll compared to manual methods. The included support and free upgrades provide peace of mind as well.

If your top priorities are simplicity, seamless payroll integration, and good value, TimeclockMTS is definitely worth considering. It can save you significant time and headaches compared to spreadsheets or paper timesheets. Just be sure to factor in the limitations around mobile access and scalability when making your decision.

Getting Started with TimeclockMTS

If you decide TimeclockMTS is the right time and attendance system for your small business, here are some tips to make the implementation process smooth:

Choose the Right Edition

Evaluate how many employees you need to track and whether you require multi-location support to determine the best edition for your needs. The Single User can work well for very small teams. But the 5 User or Pro Editions provide more flexibility to scale.

Make Use of the Free Trial

Don't just take our word for it - download a free trial to test out TimeclockMTS in your own business before purchasing. Set it up with your actual employees punching in and out to get a feel for the software.

Map Out Your Configuration Needs

Before installation, think through how you want the system configured - rules for overtime, pay periods, what information to track, notifications, etc. Map this out beforehand for a more efficient setup process.

Clean Up Employee Data

Having clean, consistent employee data is key. Make sure you have proper names, IDs, pay rates and other info needed organized and ready to import into TimeclockMTS to avoid issues.

Train Employees on Proper Use

Once installed, take time to train employees on proper use of TimeclockMTS for clocking in and out. Set clear expectations that they must clock in/out daily and not misuse the system.

Test Integrations with Payroll Software

If exporting data to your payroll system, thoroughly test the integration to ensure accurate data transfer. Verify a few pay periods before relying on it completely.

Utilize Alerts and Notifications

Take advantage of built-in alerts and notifications to receive timely updates on missed punches, overtime, impending payroll and more. This helps prevent problems.

Review Reports Frequently

Get in the habit of regularly reviewing TimeclockMTS reports on hours worked, projected vs scheduled hours, overtime and more. Watch for any discrepancies.

Stay On Top of Software Updates

When new version updates are released, don’t ignore them. Promptly update to the latest version to take advantage of fixes and enhancements.

Leverage Available Support

If any issues do arise, use TimeclockMTS’ U.S.-based support team for troubleshooting help. Don't let small problems linger.

Choose the Right Time Tracking System for Your Needs

While TimeclockMTS is a solid choice for many small businesses, it’s certainly not the only option. Be sure to thoroughly assess your specific requirements before deciding on any time tracking software.

Factor in aspects like:

- Number of employees

- Locations and remote workers

- Ease of use

- Mobile access needs

- Payroll system integrations

- Budget constraints

- IT capabilities

The key is matching the right technology solution to your business processes and workforce. For some, an advanced cloud platform like TSheets or Harvest may be more suitable. For others, TimeclockMTS provides the ideal combination of simplicity, value and integration capabilities.

Regardless of the system you choose, implementing a modern automated time tracking platform can transform the way your business handles payroll, improves compliance and controls labor costs. It’s one of the best investments you can make.

Hopefully this comprehensive review provides the details needed to determine if TimeclockMTS is the right fit. Reach out if we can help further in your search for the ideal timekeeping solution.