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Understanding Timesheet Licenses: A Cost-Effective Solution for Time Tracking

JD avatar
Written by JD
Updated today

What You'll Learn

This article explains what Timesheet licenses are, how they work, who needs them, and how they differ from standard Field licenses in Uptick.


Overview

Uptick offers a Timesheet Only license as a cost-effective alternative to full Field licenses for team members who only need to track their time on site. This license type is perfect for apprentices, trainees, or engineers working on major projects who don't need full access to Uptick's field functionality.


What is a Timesheet License?

A Timesheet Only license is a limited-access license that allows users to track time spent on tasks without providing full field technician capabilities. It's designed specifically for users who need to record their hours for payroll and job costing purposes but don't need to perform inspections, create defects, or complete other field work.

Key Features

Time Tracking

  • Start and stop session timers against assigned tasks

  • Track time spent on site with supervising technicians

  • Allocate time to specific jobs for accurate costing

  • View and submit timesheets via the mobile app

Task Visibility

  • View assigned tasks in the 'Tasks' tab

  • See task details including property, scope of works, and due dates

  • Access today's and tomorrow's appointments from the dashboard

  • Use the calendar to view future scheduled appointments

Mobile App Access

  • Download and use the Uptick Workforce app on iOS or Android

  • Access limited functionality: Tasks, Timesheet, and About tabs only

  • Submit timesheets directly from the mobile device

Scheduler Integration

  • Appear on the web Scheduler alongside other technicians

  • Can be scheduled for tasks by office staff

  • Visible in the scheduler calendar view

What Timesheet Users Cannot Do

  • Perform or complete work - Cannot mark tasks as performed or completed

  • Add new assets to properties

  • Create or manage defects on assets

  • Respond to prompt questions on inspection tasks

  • Access floorplans or product catalogue

  • View the scheduler in their mobile app (no calendar view)

  • Create defect quotes or service quotes

  • Access Purchase Orders or authorization sections

  • Preview or publish service reports

  • Manage allowances in timesheets

  • View client information (except public property contacts)


Who Needs a Timesheet License?

Ideal For:

  • Apprentices who accompany qualified technicians on site

  • Trainees learning the trade under supervision

  • Engineers on major projects who don't perform routine maintenance or repairs

  • Site supervisors who need to track time but don't perform technical work

  • Part-time or casual staff who only need time tracking capabilities

  • Project-based workers temporarily assigned to specific contracts

Not Suitable For:

  • Technicians / Engineers who need to complete inspections

  • Staff who create defects or quotes in the field

  • Users who need to add assets during installations

  • Anyone requiring full field functionality


Pricing

Timesheet License Cost:

Pricing can be viewed in the License Manager in your control panel or you can contact [email protected] for more information.

Important Billing Information:

  • Charges are based on usage, not just activation

  • The charge applies when the user signs into the app or portal for the first time after the license is enabled

  • If you enable the license but the user never logs in, you won't be charged


Comparison: Timesheet License vs Field License

Feature

Timesheet License

Field License

Start/stop time tracking

View assigned tasks

Submit timesheets

Perform/complete tasks

Service assets

Add new assets

Create defects

Respond to prompt questions

Access floorplans

Access product catalogue

Create quotes

Complete digital forms

Offline mode

Appear on web Scheduler


How to Set Up a Timesheet License

Setup Process

  1. Create a 'Timesheets' or 'Projects' or 'Apprentices' Security group

    • Create the security group with the following permissions:

      • Can see all tasks (to view assigned work)

      • Can update tasks (to add time sessions)

      • Can upload documents (if needed)

  2. Create the User

    • Create the user account in Uptick and select the Timesheet license type

    • Assign the user to your timesheet based security group

  3. Send Welcome Email

    • Once created, go to People > Users

    • Find the user and click Send Welcome Email

    • The user receives instructions to set their password

  4. User Downloads the App

    • User downloads the Uptick Workforce app (iOS or Android)

    • Logs in with their credentials

    • Can immediately start tracking time on assigned tasks


How Timesheet Users Work

Daily Workflow

  1. Check Assigned Tasks

    • Open the Uptick app

    • View today's and tomorrow's appointments on the dashboard

    • Tap the calendar icon to see future scheduled work

  2. Start Time Tracking

    • Navigate to the assigned task

    • Tap the Play button to start the session timer

    • The timer runs while working on site

  3. Pause or Stop

    • Tap Pause for breaks

    • Tap Stop when work is complete

    • Time is automatically recorded against the task

  4. Submit Timesheet

    • At the end of the day, go to the Timesheet tab

    • Review recorded sessions

    • Tap Submit to send for approval

What Office Staff See

  • Timesheet users appear on the web Scheduler

  • Can be assigned to tasks like any other technician

  • Office staff can view, approve, or reject submitted timesheets

  • Time sessions appear in Tools > Timesheets for approval


Common Questions

Q: Can I assign a Timesheet license myself?
A: No. Only Uptick staff can assign Timesheet licenses. Contact [email protected] with the user's name and email address.

Q: Will I be charged if I enable the license but the user doesn't log in?
A: No. The charge only applies when the user signs into the app or portal for the first time after the license is enabled.

Q: Can Timesheet users see the scheduler in their app?
A: No. Timesheet users don't have a calendar or scheduler view in their mobile app. They can see today's and tomorrow's appointments on the dashboard and use the calendar icon to view future scheduled work, but they don't have the full scheduler view that Field users have.

Q: Can Timesheet users add assets?
A: No. Only Field license users can add assets. If you need a user to add assets, they require a Field license.

Q: How do I know if someone needs a Timesheet license or Field license?
A: Ask yourself: Does this person need to perform inspections, create defects, or complete technical work? If yes, they need a Field license. If they only need to track time spent on site, a Timesheet license is sufficient.

Q: Can Timesheet users access timesheets on the web?
A: Timesheet users can access their own timesheets via the web by clicking their user circle in the top right and selecting 'Your timesheets'. However, they cannot access the full Timesheets module (Tools > Timesheets) unless they have additional permissions.

Q: Do Timesheet users need the "Can approve timesheets" permission?
A: No. Timesheet users only need to submit their own timesheets. The "Can approve timesheets" permission is for office staff or managers who approve timesheets for others.

Q: Can I use Timesheet licenses for office staff?
A: The Timesheets module is designed for field team members, not office staff. While technically possible, it's not the intended use case. Office staff typically use Desk licenses.

Q: What happens to timesheet data if I downgrade a user?
A: All historical timesheet data is retained. The user simply loses access to field functionality but can continue tracking time.


Best Practices

When to Use Timesheet Licenses

  • Start apprentices on Timesheet licenses - Upgrade to Field when they're qualified

  • Use for project-based workers - Assign Timesheet licenses for engineers on major projects who don't do routine maintenance

  • Monitor usage patterns - If a Timesheet user frequently needs field features, upgrade them

Cost Management

  • Don't enable licenses prematurely - Only enable when the user is ready to start

  • Track usage - Use the License Manager to monitor who's actually logging in

  • Communicate with users - Ensure Timesheet users understand their limited access

  • Plan for growth - Budget for upgrading Timesheet users to Field licenses as they develop

Scheduling Considerations

  • Timesheet users appear on the Scheduler - Office staff can schedule them like any other technician

  • Assign them to tasks with supervising technicians - They can track time but can't complete work independently

  • Communicate schedules externally - Since they can't see the full scheduler in their app, inform them of their schedule via other means (email, SMS, or they can check the dashboard)


Troubleshooting

User Can't See Assigned Tasks

  • Check Security Groups - Ensure they have "Can see all tasks" permission

  • Verify task assignment - Confirm the task is actually assigned to them

  • Check license activation - Ensure the Timesheet license is active

User Can't Submit Timesheet

  • Verify time sessions exist - User must have started/stopped timers

  • Check app version - Ensure they're using the latest version of the Uptick app

  • Review permissions - Confirm they have appropriate Security Group access

User Needs More Functionality

  • Contact Uptick Support - Request an upgrade to Field license

  • Understand the cost difference - Field licenses cost significantly more

  • Plan the transition - Coordinate the upgrade timing with the user's training completion


Need Help?

If you have questions about Timesheet licenses or need assistance with setup, contact:

For detailed information about all license types, visit:


Remember: Timesheet licenses provide a cost-effective way to track time for apprentices, trainees, and project-based workers who don't need full field functionality. They're perfect for users who need to record hours for payroll and job costing without the expense of a full Field license. Choose based on the user's actual needs and upgrade when their role expands.

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