Suzy B Software 2/Suzy B Software CD-ROM 2 (1994).iso/finances/payxprt3/acc_time.doc

Text File | 1995-04-25 | 8KB | 162 lines

                               ACC-TIME
                            By Randy Blain
                        Version 1.1    06/30/91


ACC-TIME is a full featured time-clock program that can be run either
as an accessory or as a stand alone program.  I wrote the program
because I didn't want to spend several hundred dollars for a time-clock
to use in my business.  If you run the program as an accessory, you
will have instant access to the time-clock from any program with a menu
bar, so employees can punch in or out with ease.  ACC-TIME can handle
up to 64 employees.  Employees can each punch in/out up to 64 times per
week.  This should be enough for most any application.  ACC-TIME is
fully mouse driven so employees don't have to learn how to use the
computer to use this program.  It automatically computes the number of
hours the employee has worked and prints time cards for one or all
employees.  This program is NOT intended to be used on a floppy based
system since it has to have access to the data files at all times.  If
you plan on leaving the same disk in the floppy drive all the time then
you can use this program from floppy (not an attractive proposition,
huh?).  The program creates two files, EMPLOYEE.DAT and TIMECARD.DAT,
in the directory from which it was run (usually C:\).  EMPLOYEE.DAT
contains the names of the employees and TIMECARD.DAT holds the IN/OUT
times for all the employees for each pay period.


Using the program:

Before you run the program for the first time you must configure it
with ACCTMCFG.PRG.  This allows you to enter a password and select
which options will require a password to access them.  The reason this
is a separate program should be obvious.  You will probably want to
keep this file in a safe place so employees won't have access to it.
Once you have configured it, copy ACC_TIME.ACC to the root directory of
your boot drive and reboot, or if you prefer, rename it to ACC_TIME.PRG
and run it from the desktop.  The first thing you need to do is enter
the names of the employees.  Just click on ADD EMPLOYEE and enter their
names (up to 25 characters long).  Thirteen employee names can be
displayed at a time.  Use the arrows and the slider as needed to move
up or down.  In order to punch in or out, the employee just clicks on
his or her name and an alert box is displayed which shows the current
time and date as well as the last time and date that the employee
accessed the time-clock.  The employee may then click on IN or OUT to
punch in or out, or CANCEL to exit without making any changes.  The
appropriate button is highlighted depending on their last access to the
time-clock.  If an employee tries to punch out without having punched
in first (or vice-versa) ACC-TIME will automatically punch them in or
out as necessary first, if they choose.  The times and dates that an
employee accesses the clock are fully editable so it's no big deal if
an employee forgets to punch the clock, since you can always go back
and edit as necessary.  If someone wants to review their times, they
can just double-click on their name and all their times will be
displayed in the window (13 at a time just like the names).  Their name
will be displayed at the top of the window.  At the bottom of the
window the total number of hours that the employee has worked will be
displayed.  If there is an asterisk next to the time/date that means
that ACC-TIME had to punch the employee in or out automatically.  To
edit the times/dates, just click on the one you want to edit and you
will enter the edit mode (you'll probably want password protection on
this function, huh?).  To return to the employee name list just click
on the close box at the top left of the window.  If you need to set the
system time and date (e.g. if you don't have a clock in your computer),
just click on the little clock in the upper right corner of the window
(ok, so it doesn't look much like a clock, but use your imagination).
The program automatically checks for valid times and dates.  To edit an
employee's name click on EDIT EMPLOYEE (real difficult, ain't it?).  If
you want to delete an employee from the list you must do it before
there is any timecard data on the system or right after starting a new
week.  The reason for this is the time-clock accesses are keyed to the
employee's number and the employee numbers change when you delete an
employee.  When you select EDIT or DELETE EMPLOYEE, you may search for
the employee either by name or by number so you don't have to keep
track of employee numbers.  When you delete an employee the old
EMPLOYEE.DAT file is renamed to EMPLOYEE.BAK and a new EMPLOYEE.DAT
file is created.  If you accidentally delete the wrong employee, you
can just delete the EMPLOYEE.DAT file and rename the EMPLOYEE.BAK file
to EMPLOYEE.DAT and you are back where you started.  When you select
START NEW WEEK the TIMECARD.DAT file is renamed to TIMECARD.BAK.  A new
TIMECARD.DAT file will be created when an employee punches in for the
first time in the new pay period.  You should print all the timecards
before you start a new week, but if you forget, just rename the
TIMECARD.BAK file and print away.  The PRINT TIMECARD function works
differently depending on when you select it.  If the employee names are
displayed in the window then all the timecards will be printed.  If the
times and dates for an individual employee are displayed in the window
then only that employee's timecard will be printed.  The employee's
last access will be used as the week ending date for the timecard.

Caveats:

Right now the timecard printout is mediocre at best.  I wanted to make
sure the program works OK before I worried about how pretty it was.

The slider bar doesn't work properly when running as an accessory.  It
works fine when running as a .PRG.

I haven't tested it on a monochrome system but it should work.
(Murphy's law alert!)


TO BE ADDED:

1. Improved timecards/reports.

2. Print timecard(s) for current or previous time period (so you won't
   have to do all that renaming manually).

3. Interface with popular payroll programs (although I don't know of
   many-  any suggestions?)

4. Automatically deduct lunch hours/half-hours. (Configurable)

5. Your suggestions here...
   I can be reached on GEnie (RANDYB),

   or by phone (9-5 Eastern time) at 804-490-5944,

   or by mail c/o MID-ATLANTIC ELECTRONICS, INC.
                  4987 CLEVELAND STREET, SUITE 106
                  VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23462



NOW THE BEGGING AND GROVELING...

This program is shareware.  If you use it, please send $10.00 to the
address above.  Make all checks payable to Randy Blain.  Ten bucks is a
bargain compared to 300-400 dollars for a mechanical time-clock.
Support shareware authors!


Credits and disclaimers:

This program was written in GFA Basic version 3.5.  I use it daily in
my business so at least I know it works on my system but I am not
liable for any damage or problems it may create on yours.  I have
numerous ACC's and AUTO programs and have found no conflicts so far.
Enjoy!

Randy Blain


New in Version 1.4:

When you select ADD EMPLOYEE or EDIT EMPLOYEE you now have the option
of automatically deducting a half-hour for lunch if the employee works
more than 5 hours.  I know this is basically useless but it is handy
in my particular application, and my employees wanted it.

When employees access the time-clock the are now given confirmation as
to what they did (i.e. IN or OUT or CANCELLED).  My employees wanted
this one too.

NOTE: To date I have received the incredible sum of $0.00 in shareware
donations for all my shareware efforts (Big surprise??? Nah...).
Ain't shareware wonderful?


Randy Blain
1/31/92