TIMY System : Frequently Asked Questions


  1.   1. Is the system limited to any number of Employees?
  2.   2. How are the badges numbered?
  3.   3. How large is the badge?
  4.   4. Can a former Employee's badge be re-used for another Employee?
  5.   5. What if an Employee loses his badge?
  6.   6. Can the Time Recorder memory data be downloaded with any other USB Key?
  7.   7. Can several Time Recorders be used with the same software application?
  8.   8. How do I move the application and data from one PC to another?
  9.   9. Will the memory contents of the Time Recorder be lost if the batteries run down?
  10. 10. Can the Time Recorder display individual data to the employees?
  11. 11. Can the TIMY System be used to open a door for access control?
  12. 12. Can the Time Recorder be installed outdoors?
  13. 13. Does the TIMY-Soft application run on all versions of Excel®?
  14. 14. Will TIMY-Soft work with OpenOffice.org®?
  15. 15. Will the TIMY-Soft application run on a MAC®?
  16. 16. Can the TIMY-Soft application run on a network server?
  17. 17. Can Time Sheets be modified by the employer?

1. Is the system limited to any number of Employees?

Absolutely not. The basic package is shipped with 20 badges, but as many badges as required can be ordered. There is no technical or software licence limitation to the number of people that can be handled. This said, the whole philosophy of the system is orientated to the needs of small and medium-size organisations. We have many customers with over 100 employees and some with more than 300 employees.
TIMY System FAQs

2. How are the badges numbered?

The badges are pre-coded at the factory with unique barcodes (we never produce two badges with the same code). The barcode and its alphanumeric equivalent are printed on both sides of the badge so that it is easy to read. The link between an employee and a badge is made in the application software - the user simply types the badge code next to the employee name. A label with the employee's name can be placed on the badge, or the name can be be written on the badge with a permanent marker.
TIMY System FAQs

3. How large is the badge?

The badges are exactly the same dimensions as a bank card / credit card, and because the barcode is printed on both sides the badge can be 'swiped' either side, and up or down.
TIMY System FAQs

4. Can a former Employee's badge be re-used for another Employee?

Certainly. When an Employee leaves, simply delete that person from the system software using the 'Delete Employee' function and issue the returned badge to someone else. Alternatively, if the departed person is to remain on file, replace the badge number with a 'virtual' number that doesn't exist in the stock of badges. The returned badge number can then be associated with a new Employee.
TIMY System FAQs

5. What if an Employee loses his badge?

Issue the Employee with a new badge and change the Badge Number in the TIMY-Soft application using the 'Modify Employee' function. If the lost badge is subsequently found and, if it is in good condition, return it to stock for future use.
TIMY System FAQs

6. Can the Time Recorder memory data be downloaded with any other USB Key?

No. Although the supplied USB Key is a standard commercial product, it is formatted with a particular volume name and it must contain a file with a specific name. If anyone tries to extract the memory contents of the Time Recorder with an unauthorised key the Time Recorder will display an error message. Detailed information on preparing a USB Key is published in the User Manual.
TIMY System FAQs

7. Can several Time Recorders be used with the same software application?

Yes, we have supplied some customers with more than 12 Time Recorders. A single USB Key can be used to download all the Time Recorders' data one after another and then upload all the time stamps into the software at once, or different keys can be used if that is more practical. The Time Stamp file on the USB Key can also be sent as an e-mail attachment if Time Recorders are installed at remote sites. Staff can also clock in on one Time Recorder and clock out on a different Time Recorder.
TIMY System FAQs

8. How do I move the application and data from one PC to another?

If you did not change the defaults during installation, your database is located at C:\BKS\. Copy the entire contents of the BKS directory to the same directory on the new computer on which you plan to re-install TIMY-Soft. Ensure your Excel macros security on the new computer are set correctly and run 'Timy-Soft.xls'. You will then be using the existing data.
TIMY System FAQs

9. Will the memory contents of the Time Recorder be lost if the batteries run down?

Absolutely not. The Time Recorder uses "flash" memory - that's the same technology as USB Key memories. Flash memory doesn't need any power to retain its data, so even if a Time Recorder is left for months without batteries the data will not be lost. However, if the batteries are removed for more than a few minutes the clock may require adjusting by using the supplied "Set Clock" badge.
TIMY System FAQs

10. Can the Time Recorder display individual data to the Employees?

No. With an offline Time Recorder that is not directly connected to a computer it is not possible to display data, such as the cumulative time worked in the current week or vacation days remaining. Such data are available in the TIMY-Soft application.
TIMY System FAQs

11. Can the TIMY System be used to open a door for access control?

No. The TIMY Time Recorder is only used for Time Attendance Recording.
TIMY System FAQs

12. Can the Time Recorder be installed outdoors?

No. The TIMY Time Recorder is not waterproof and is not intended for extended temperature ranges commonly encountered outdoors.
TIMY System FAQs

13. Does the TIMY-Soft application run on all versions of Excel?

TIMY-Soft will run under all versions of Excel, as far back as Excel 97. However, not all versions of Excel are compatible with all versions of Windows. The combinations that work correctly are:
Windows 98 and Excel 97
Windows 2000 and Excel 2000, 2002 and 2003
Windows XP and Excel 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2007
Vista and Excel 2007
TIMY System FAQs

14. Will TIMY-Soft work with OpenOffice.org?

No. The compatibility between Excel and the OpenOffice.org Calc program does not extend to the fairly complex macros used in the TIMY-Soft application.
TIMY System FAQs

15. Will the TIMY-Soft application run on a MAC?

No. There are limitations to the compatibility between Excel "MAC" and Excel "Windows". In addition, MACs use a different method for adressing external drives like USB Keys, and the TIMY-Soft macro that reads the Time Stamps from the USB Key cannot function with Excel "MAC".
TIMY System FAQs

16. Can the TIMY-Soft application run on a network server?

Yes and No. The TIMY-Soft system files can be installed on a shared network disk but the application can only be accessed from one PC at a time. TIMY-Soft is not a multi-user application.
TIMY System FAQs

17. Can Time Sheets be modified by the employer?

TIMY-Soft worksheets containing the Employee Time Stamps are password-protected and cannot be directly modified by the System Manager. Within TIMY-Soft, Time Stamps that have been manually entered or adjusted are automatically marked in bold characters and the user cannot circumvent this mechanism. The USB Key file containing the Time Stamps (from the Time Recorder) can be opened, but the data is encrypted and appears unreadable in any ASCII file reader, such as MS-Notepad. The TIMY-Soft Application and Employee Time Sheet data is very strongly protected, like most other PC-based Time Reporting packages.
TIMY System FAQs

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