Project management is a time-sensitive field where teams have to work with deadlines and within time boundaries. Tracking time goes beyond one’s honesty, with a crucial need for accuracy and efficiency. This is one of the reasons why it is important to use efficient time-tracking software. These tools are helpful, especially that some project management software lacks time tracking capabilities. Among the popular time tracking software is Harvest.
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What is Harvest time tracking software?
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Harvest is a cloud-based time tracking software that is suitable for businesses of all sizes. It has timesheet and invoicing features that are beneficial for freelancers and small businesses. Users can take advantage of its numerous features including schedule and invoicing, time and expense management, and team management. Team members can log in their week’s hours into a timesheet in one go or opt to record them as they work.
They can start the timer via their phone, desktop, or browser. Harvest software allows users to turn their timesheets into intuitive, visual graphs that provides insight into projects and teams. This way, everyone can see what the team has worked on and what is keeping everyone busy. Additionally, Harvest project management shows teams the time used on every project as well as the remaining budget.
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Harvest time tracking use cases
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Harvest enables teams to track their worked hours and make sure they are meeting deadlines, but it does more than that. The following enumerates the most important uses of the software.
Time tracking
As its primary function, users have the option to enter their hours for the week in one go. Otherwise, they can start and stop the timers as they work through their to-do list. They can track time they spend on specific projects and clients with the option to add notes for each time entry.
Team tracking
Harvest lets managers see how the team is doing and find out who is tracking time. It can show who is working more than they should and who can do more tasks. The app helps determine what projects take much of a member’s time and identify time tracking anomalies. Managers can also use the billable and non-billable breakdowns, which identify if a team is working on the right things.
Invoicing
Harvest software helps with
invoicing by automatically turning billable time and expenses into invoices or letting users create a free-form invoice. Users can send invoices online using just a few clicks and see if the client has already opened them. With Harvest, managers can have an overview of all invoices sent and spot open ones that need a follow-up.
Team scheduling and resource planning
Registered users can link Harvest time management software to Harvest Forecast software. This allows them to organize a team’s schedule so everyone can see upcoming projects. Managers will easily see if they overbooked some team members and if they need to hire additional members. It helps teams decide if they are ready to take on new projects and see who can do it. Also, Forecast can tell when the team will go over their budget.
Cons or disadvantages of using Harvest time tracking
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Harvest time tracking software has over 70,000 clients. They belong in various industries that include creative services, web development, IT, engineering, design, architecture, and management consulting. But it is not the only solution available, with definite room for improvement.
Desktop app to web app disconnection
Some users notice a disconnect between the desktop app and the website. At times, they see discrepancies between the desktop app and the website. This is inconvenient for users to have to constantly check on the site while the desktop app is running. It defeats the purpose of having an app.
Lack of sales tax integration
As filing for tax is imperative, many users want Harvest timekeeping to have integration for automated sales tax. It has integrations for many functionalities but not for tax, which users consider to be very important.
Missing batch-assign functionality
One of the instances that project managers find an issue in Harvest is its lack of functionality for batch-assigning time. There is no problem with adding or removing hours on individual timesheets, as that can be easily done. However, if there are multiple employees working on the same task, Harvest makes managers enter time one at a time.
Minimal options for billing increments
At the moment, Harvest lets users choose increments of 6, 15, 30, and 60 minutes. However, many users want to have more flexible options. Also, some users spend time figuring out how to increase the increments.
Timer-on notification
The software does not provide notification on some devices when users leave and forget that the timer is on. Mac desktop users get notified if they left the timer on and for how long. But in other devices and browsers, this feature is not yet available.
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Phone customer support
Instead of Harvest’s real-time phone support in the past, they have shifted to by-appointments only. This is inconvenient as users have to make appointments and get response until later in the day. Each appointment has a 15-minute limit, which often is not enough for the resolution of the issue.
Pros or advantages of using Harvest time tracking
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Harvest provides numerous advantages, which makes it a top choice among many users including project management teams. Customers include engineering firm Cooper Perkins, studio designer Crossley Acoustics, and creative agency Juicyorange.
Simple and flexible app
Many project managers find Harvest to be simple and flexible. It takes care of all invoicing, reminders, and client payments seamlessly. And since it integrates with Stripe, payments are smoother and convenient. Harvest includes multi-currency features and provides downloadable PDFs to both users and their clients for transparency.
Great pricing
Harvest is now more affordable from its two pricing plans—free and subscription. The free plan is available for single users who have limited needs, while subscription starts at $12 per month. For those who aren’t sure about Harvest, they can take advantage of the free 30-day trial without requiring credit cards.
Mobile apps
The mobile app makes work convenient. Harvest time tracking software has a mobile app for iOS and Android ideal for teams that go to sites. Tracking time is easier with their mobile device. With a tap of a few buttons, they get the timer running. Harvest mobile apps also let them manage their expenses.
Easy payment for clients
Harvest makes it easy for teams to receive payment from their clients with seamless invoice payments. It offers a checkbox to allow clients to pay their invoices directly on the date that recurs each month.
Billable time tracking
Harvest is intuitive because it lets users set different rates for different people on a given project. More than that, they can charge for the task type and track individual expenses, which they can bill to their clients. This is ideal for managing creative projects.
Ready to try Harvest time tracking software?
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Harvest is a popular time tracking software for businesses of all sizes. It is advantageous for both the team and their clients with a feature to bill only for the actual expenses and actual time spent on the project. This way, Harvest time tracking promotes transparency and strengthens professional relationships.