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HMS Software Unveils Unique Timekeeping System

TimeControl 4 Helps Companies Increase Productivity, Stay Competitive Through Challenging Economic Times

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montréal, Québec - August 13, 2001 - Mid- to large-sized global corporations coping with tough economic times will be among the first to benefit from TimeControl 4, a unique timesheet system launched today by Montreal-based HMS Software. TimeControl 4 is the only software application of its kind to bridge the gap between project management and corporate finances (payroll, human resources and billing) - allowing users to track actual versus budgeted costs by updating project schedules while tracking employee hours for payroll - all from within the same system.

With multilingual support as well as a complete web-enabled interface, "TimeControl 4 is a flexible, enterprise-wide timekeeping system that proves invaluable as companies aim to identify which employee is doing what at what cost, and work to produce more results with the same resources or the same results with fewer resources," said HMS Software president Chris Vandersluis, in making the announcement.

TimeControl - launched in 1994, and now released with a major facelift as version 4 - is geared primarily towards mid- to large-sized organizations that are project-based, Vandersluis explained. Users simply take five minutes at the end of the day, or any pre-determined time period, to update their timesheets and TimeControl 4 takes care of approvals, audit trails and moving the data to the schedule, as well as the finance department, all automatically behind the scenes.

For example, an engineer might spend three hours in meetings, two hours working on a prototype and three hours developing a new design. Once he has entered this data on his timesheet, it can be automatically sent to the payroll department for processing and to the project manager so project schedules get updated accordingly.

Ideal for project-oriented organizations, Vandersluis noted, TimeControl adds support of task-by-task information so that a company can easily track actual versus budgeted costs at a project level, unlike other time and attendance systems that only provide financial information such as hours worked or time billed.

"TimeControl is designed to serve two areas of an organization simultaneously," he explained. "On one side we need to roll up timesheet data for the finance department for uses such as payroll, human resources and billing. On the other, we have the project management group that must look at timesheet data project-by-project, activity-by-activity, to determine how much labor has been used in comparison to the original plan."

According to Vandersluis, using one system to update both the financial and project management records eliminates the need for reconciling data, and means any auditing of the financial information provided will be a true reflection of costs. "Many companies we talk to are using more than one timesheet system," he said. "This results in discrepancies in data and there's no way to reconcile that unless you're dealing with the same source of information."

Key Features of TimeControl 4

Key features of TimeControl 4 include a complete web-enabled interface, which means that software does not have to be installed on an end-user's desktop in order to use the product. It now gives administrators browser-based access to the full suite of reporting functions offered in TimeControl.

Another key benefit is multilingual support, since many global corporations operate offices in different countries yet prefer to use a single, unified timekeeping system. With TimeControl 4, users are able to select the language of their choice as an interface, including English, French, Dutch, German, Italian, Portuguese and Danish. They can also customize the existing database in order to add their own language selections.

Additional features include an advanced architecture that allows the software to be more effectively deployed in organizations where users are geographically separated; enhanced links to existing project management systems; the availability of Debit/Credit and Historical timesheet functionality in the web-based user interface; and, improved computer screen ergonomics intended to make the system easier to use.

A stand-alone software system, TimeControl is pre-configured to integrate with popular project control systems such as Microsoft' Project, Primavera's Project Planner P3, P3e and TeamPlay, and Welcom's Open Plan and Cobra. Designed as a true client/server system, it offers complete support for Windows NT and 2000 on the server and most operating systems on the client (desktop), with direct support for relational database management systems such as Oracle, Sybase, Microsoft's SQL Server, Informix and InterBase.

Existing TimeControl clients with a current support and maintenance contract will receive TimeControl 4 automatically at no cost. Pricing for new systems varies by volume, with a 100-user system priced at US$11,500. The software is available immediately.

About TimeControl

TimeControl was originally released in 1994. It was immediately successful in the project management sector and today is recognized not only as a project management solution, but also as an enterprise timesheet solution in use by companies worldwide. TimeControl is designed as a multipurpose timesheet able to serve the needs of both Finance and Project Management simultaneously. It includes features such as a multi-browser, multi-device interface, a PC and mobile interface, vacation approvals, executive dashboards, extensive approval functionality, flexible reporting and links to project management and corporate systems which makes the timesheet product ideally suited for integration with existing systems in any organization. TimeControl's flexibility allows it to be deployed for use as a time and attendance, time and billing, project tracking and flex-time system. TimeControl is available both for purchase for an on-premises installation or as an on-line subscription in the Cloud.

To access the free Hosted TimeControl Trial site, visit our free trial page.

For more information about TimeControl, monitor the TimeControl blog at http://blog.timecontrol.org/ or the TimeControl website at www.timecontrol.com.

For information about TimeControlOnline, our hosted timesheet subscription service in the cloud, go to www.timecontrol.com/features/timecontrol-online.

For any other questions, please contact HMS Software at info@hms.ca.

TimeControl is represented around the world by our distributors in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, the UK, and the U.S.

About HMS Software

Based in Montreal, Canada with offices in Toronto, HMS Software has been a leading provider of project management and enterprise timesheet systems and services since 1984. HMS Software's first customized timesheet application was written in 1984. With the launch of TimeControl as a commercial application in 1994, HMS Software began servicing clients worldwide.

HMS Software's client list reads like a who's who of business. It includes Acergy, Aecon, Rio Tinto, the Atlanta Airport, the City of Montreal, the County of San Mateo, Electromotive Diesel, EXFO, FT Services, Kelly Services, Koch, Merck Frosst, the Government of Quebec, Georgia Pacific, Parker Hannifin, Rolls Royce, Sobeys, Volvo Novabus, Zimmer Inc. and hundreds of others.

For further information about HMS Software, please visit the HMS website at: www.hms.ca or contact us at info@hms.ca.

For more information, contact Gail Bergman at: