Integration

Currently browsing Integration

How Do I Change the Security Settings or Password for a Staff Member?

The TimeForge-Dinerware bridge synchronizes the data in your Dinerware POS database and your TimeForge account. In most cases the data is automatically duplicated and you won’t need to do anything, but there are some cases where you might want to change the TimeForge or Dinerware defaults.

For example, you may want to set a different security role for a staff member on TimeForge than they have in Dinerware. Or, the TimeForge welcome email may have been accidentally deleted, and you may want to automatically set the users password for them.

Edit An Employee

To change a staff members security permissions within TimeForge, first navigate to the list of employees, and then choose Edit.

Scroll to the Employee Types

Scroll to the bottom of the page, and choose an appropriate Employee Type. Then, choose Save. Employee permissions default based on the settings in Dinerware, but you can override these settings inside TimeForge.

Manually Set a Password

If an employee forgets their password, does not receive the welcome email, or accidentally deletes the welcome email, a manager (or supervisor) with access capabilities can login to TimeForge as that user, without knowing their username or password.

To do this, click on “Switch User“. TimeForge will immediately log you into the software the employee you chose, without prompting for either the username or the password. You can then interact with TimeForge as you would normally – set up alerts, change your password, or check the schedule.

When you’re all done, click on “Switch Back to Your Account” in the top right hand corner, and TimeForge will return you to your management account.

Posted in Dinerware POS / No Comments.

How Do I Add Employees to TimeForge with Dinerware?

The TimeForge-Dinerware bridge synchronizes the data in your Dinerware POS database and your TimeForge account. In most cases the data is automatically duplicated, but there are a few rules to follow to ensure that TimeForge and Dinerware can be used together.

Add A Dinerware Employee

Add your user to the Dinerware POS software. Some of the key fields include:

1. The employee must be active in Dinerware to appear inside of TimeForge. If you make the employee inactive, TimeForge will assume they are terminated, and will remove them from your employee list (they can later be re-activated).
2. The SSN / Tax ID is not required, but if provided, it must be unique to employees within your company. For example, two employees cannot share the same social security number.
3. Each Dinerware employee must have a unique name, which must include a first and last name. For example, only one employee can be name “John Smith”.

Enter an Email Address and Phone Number

Additionally, you need to enter:

1. The staff member must have an email address. TimeForge will automatically send the staff member an email address to allow them to set up a username and password to log into TimeForge. Email addresses must be unique to each staff member, ie, employees cannot share email addresses.
2. To receive cell phone and text message alerts about upcoming schedules, enter the staff members cell phone number in the phone field.

Select a Job

TimeForge requires that each staff member work at least one job.

Sync TimeForge Connector

TimeForge regularly syncs with Dinerware to ensure that the data is current and accurate.

After adding your staff members, you can manually synchronize the databases, or you can wait for TimeForge to automatically sync the databases.

TimeForge will automatically add staff members to the appropriate departments and locations if you are using TimeForge at multiple locations or with department-level scheduling.

Posted in Dinerware POS / No Comments.

How Do I Install TimeForge with Restaurant Manager Point of Sale?

TimeForge can integrate with several Point of Sale systems, including Restaurant Manager. Restaurant Manager by ASI, is an easy to use and powerful Point of Sale system, with dealers all over the world.

TimeForge integration with ASI Restaurant Manager involves installing the TimeForge RM Bridge software on the main RM computer system.

The software will read and write to your Restaurant Manager system as necessary, and can enforce your TimeForge schedules – preventing employees from riding the clock.

Install the TimeForge-Restaurant Manager Bridge software

Begin installing the TimeForge-Restaurant Manager Bridge software.

Accept the EULA

Accept the terms of the End User License Agreement.

Choose a Directory to Install the Software

Choose a directory to install the TimeForge-Restaurant Manager Bridge. The default is usually correct.

Pick a Start Menu Folder

Choose the Start Menu Folder to install the software.

Enter Your Web Service Username and Password

1. If you already have a TimeForge account, enter your Web Service Username and Password to connect with TimeForge.

A web service username and password is not the same as your TimeForge username (usually your email address), but is a secured username and password that allows the TimeForge-Restaurant Manager Bridge to communicate with TimeForge.

You can create a Web Service account by logging into your account, and go to the Settings for your location / store. You can then set your web service username and password.

2. If you do not yet have a TimeForge account, get started by creating a TimeForge account. We will create a Web Service Username and Password for you automatically.

Create a TimeForge Account

If you need to create a TimeForge account, please fill out all of the fields, including your company name, first and last name, email address, password, and a password recovery answer.

We will automatically create your Web Service Username and Password for you.

Configure Restaurant Manager Connection Settings

Set up the Restaurant Manager database connection settings. Most likely, the default settings will work with your RM installation.

All Done!

At this point, go ahead and run the TimeForge Bridge software.

Posted in Restaurant Manager POS / No Comments.

How Do I Use TimeForge with ASI Restaurant Manager?

TimeForge integrates with a number of powerful POS systems, including ASI Restaurant Manager. Restaurant Manager, is a powerful and easy to use Point of Sale system, with dealers all over the globe.

To synchronize data between TimeForge and Restaurant Manager, you must first install and configure the TimeForge RM Bridge software on the main Restaurant Manager computer.

The integration software will automatically read and write to your Restaurant Manager POS system when required, and can enforce your TimeForge schedules – stopping employees from clocking in before they are scheduled to work.

Make Sure that the Connector and Translator are Both Running

Check the Windows task bar, which is the bar that normally runs along the bottom of the computer and contains the Start menu (on the left) and clock (on the right).

You should see icons similar to those shown above. Both of these icons should be displayed, and if they are, then TimeForge is running properly.

Turn on QuickStaffer for Schedule Enforcement

Make sure to configure QuickStaffer.

1. Run the Station Config. To do so, launch the RM Back Office, then choose “Setup Station Config.”, and choose Station 1.

2. Look for the “Use QuickStaffer Schedule” option, and ensure that this is set to true.

Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each Station you want to use TimeForge with.

Set up Grace Periods for Early Clock In

Configure the allowable clock in grace period when enforcing the TimeForge schedule.

1. Run the Station Config. To do so, launch the RM Back Office, then choose “Setup Station Config.”, and choose Station 1.

2. Locate the “Grace Period” option, and change this to allow the desired grace period (such as 5 minutes or 10 minutes).

Repeat steps 1 and 2 for any other stations you would like to enforce the schedule with.

Configure Clock In Override Security Levels

Configure the Security level of the manager providing overrides for employees who are too early.

1. Run the Station Config. To do so, launch the RM Back Office, then choose “Setup Station Config.”, and choose Station 1.

2. Click on “Search Settings”, and look for “unsched“. Find the “Unscheduled Clock in/out” setting, and change this to the security level you would like to require for someone to allow a staff member to clock in, who isn’t on the schedule. For example, 8 might be a good value.

Repeat steps 1 and 2 for any other stations you would like to enforce the schedule with.

Create and Post a Schedule in TimeForge

Create and post a schedule in TimeForge, so that staff members are notified of upcoming shifts.

This will also allow the TimeForge-Restaurant Manager Bridge to synchronize and enforce the schedule.

Synchronize the TimeForge-Restaurant Manager Bridge

TimeForge automatically keeps data between your Restaurant Manager POS system and the live TimeForge server synchronized. This ensures that employees, positions, time cards, schedules, and sales are automatically transferred between the two systems without you needing to do anything.

During heavy activity at your restaurant or hotel, this synchronization is done automatically very often, and during slower periods of activities, it is done less often.

Staff Members Log In to Restaurant Manager

Before an employee can access the Restaurant Manager POS, they must enter their PIN, swipe a mag card (if configured), or use their fingerprint (if configured).

If they are too early, or are not on the schedule, Restaurant Manager will display the above warning.

Staff Arriving Too Early Will Need Manager Approval to Clock In

An employee who is not on the schedule will be presented with a screen for a manager override. Additionally, any staff member who shows up prior to the grace period for their shift will also be prompted for a manager override.

Enforcing the schedule will immediately reduce the amount of clock riding that staff members can do, reducing labor costs by 2% – 3% instantly!

Inadequate Security Level

If the overriding manager that is attempting to clock in the staff member doesn’t have a sufficient security clearance, they will be presented with the above dialog box, and will not be able to clock the employee into Restaurant Manager.

Posted in Restaurant Manager POS / No Comments.

How Do I Configure TimeForge with Restaurant Manager Point of Sale?

TimeForge integrates with a number of powerful POS systems, including Restaurant Manager. ASI Restaurant Manager, is a powerful and easy to use Point of Sale system, with dealers all over the globe.

Integration between TimeForge and Restaurant Manager requires installing the TimeForge RM Bridge software on the main Restaurant Manager computer.

The integration software will read and write to your Restaurant Manager system where necessary, and can enforce your TimeForge schedules – preventing employees from clocking in before they are scheduled to work.

Ensure the Software is Configured Properly

If the TimeForge-Restaurant Manager Bridge was not properly configured to use a Web Service account, you will first need to configure the Web Services.

Configure the TimeForge-Restaurant Manager Bridge

If the TimeForge-Restaurant Manager Bridge has not yet been fully configured, make sure to set up the Web Service Username and Password.

These values can be configured on the TimeForge web site, and will allow the software to communicate with TimeForge securely.

Configure the Restaurant Manager POS Integration

Configure the Restaurant Manager POS side of the TimeForge-Restaurant Manager Bridge. Some of the important values on this screen include:

1. Restaurant Manager system location. This is the directory with all of the DBF files, and Restaurant Manager programs, in it. In most cases, the defaults will work for your Restaurant Manager installation.

2. By default, TimeForge uses the time punch (login) values from Restaurant Manager. However, if you would like to circumvent the Restaurant Manager time punches, and would prefer to use the TimeForge Attendance system, then please un-check this option.

Set Up the Translator

Review the TimeForge-Restaurant Manager Bridge dashboard.

1. The Last Successful Sync Date shows the last date and time that the software was able to read from your RM database.

2. The Last Synchronization shows the last date and time that a synchronization was attempted.

3. The Status shows the status of the last synchronization (it will either be SUCCESSFUL or FAILED).

4. The Next Synchronization shows the date and time of the next scheduled synchronization.

You are all done. TimeForge will synchronize your data based on the needs of your restaurant, and will keep the data in TimeForge and in Restaurant Manager POS communicating properly.

Posted in Restaurant Manager POS / No Comments.

How Do I Run Payroll with TimeForge and QuickBooks?

TimeForge is able to integrate with many different software systems, including accounting and payroll programs such as QuickBooks. QuickBooks is the most popular accounting system for small businesses in the world, and is used by small, medium, and large businesses around the globe.

The TimeForge QuickBooks integration involves installing the TimeForge Accounting Bridge software on one of the computers running QuickBooks. If you are using QuickBooks Enterprise, you can install the software on the QuickBooks Enterprise server.

The TimeForge Accounting software will read approved time sheets from TimeForge, and then import time cards and weekly time sheets into QuickBooks. With the time sheets inside of QuickBooks, you can pay your employees using QuickBooks Payroll – either by cutting your staff a check, or using Intuit Online Payroll.

Synchronize Your Time Sheets from TimeForge into QuickBooks

After you have approved your time sheets from inside of TimeForge, you are ready to run payroll.

Make sure you have QuickBooks running, and have opened your company file.

Then, choose Synchronize Now from the TimeForge Accounting Translator to start.

Decide How You Want to Be Notified

Synchronizing your time sheet and payroll data from TimeForge into QuickBooks could take from one to five minutes.

Decide if you would like to receive a pop-up notification when the synchronization is complete.

Time Sheet Data Imported Successfully

If you choose to receive a pop-up reminder, TimeForge will notify you after the synchronization is successful and the timesheets have been placed into QuickBooks.

Any notes, errors, or warnings about the synchronization / import will be shown in the Messages screen.

Your Timesheets are imported!

After the time sheets are imported, you can run payroll with QuickBooks. Using QuickBooks, you can run your own checks, or use one of their many options to do electronic payroll.

Posted in QuickBooks / No Comments.

How Do I Allow TimeForge Access to QuickBooks Data?

Open Your QuickBooks Company File

After you open your QuickBooks company file, you will receive a prompt similar to the above image.

1. Make sure to choose the “Yes, whenever the QuickBooks company file is open.” option.

2. Continue …

Please note: You may receive an additional prompt to ensure that you want to allow TimeForge access to your company file.

View the QuickBooks Translator Dashboard

The TimeForge Accounting Translator will tell you about the status of the TimeForge synchronization.

1. After permission has been granted to access your QuickBooks company file, you still need to set up the payroll type to import (which is the next step). Click on the link to set up the payroll item type.

Choose the Payroll Item Type

A payroll item in QuickBooks is a way to do payroll calculations and reporting. Every item on a paycheck is tracked with a payroll item, thus the name payroll item.

Some items you could track using QuickBooks payroll items include:

- Hourly wages

- Overtime wages

- Salaries

- Sick time

- Vacation time

- Federal, state, and local taxes

- Employee and company 401(k) contributions

- Garnishments such as child support

- Benefits such as health insurance, health club dues

- Etc…

Payroll items are also required to track non-taxable items such as:

- Mileage reimbursements

- Employee loans

- Etc…

TimeForge allows you to choose a payroll item for importing time sheets. Currently, TimeForge only allows one payroll item to be chosen for all imported time sheets. In the future, TimeForge will allow separate payroll items for hourly, salaried, sick, vacation, and overtime.

Choose an appropriate payroll item to import the time sheets.

Review the Employee List

Before importing staff time sheets, make sure to review the Employee List.

TimeForge imports employees into QuickBooks based on their Full Name (the combination of their first name, middle name, and last name).

Compare the TimeForge and QuickBooks Employee Lists

Because TimeForge imports employees into QuickBooks based on their Full Name (the combination of their first name, middle name, and last name), you will want to make sure that these lists of staff members are both correct.

1. This is a list of employees who are present in TimeForge (and may have time sheets), but are not in QuickBooks. The time sheets for these employees will not be imported into QuickBooks. To import the time sheets for these staff members, please add the employees into QuickBooks.

2. This is a list of employees who are present in QuickBooks, but are not in TimeForge. These employees do not have TimeForge accounts, nor do they have time sheets. If you would like to collect time cards for these staff members, please add the employees to TimeForge.

Posted in QuickBooks / No Comments.

How Do I Configure TimeForge with QuickBooks?

TimeForge can integrate with many different software programs, including accounting systems such as QuickBooks. QuickBooks is one of the most popular accounting systems in the world, and is used by small, medium, and large businesses around the globe.

TimeForge integration with QuickBooks involves installing the TimeForge Accounting Bridge software on one of the computer systems running QuickBooks. If you are using QuickBooks Enterprise, you can install the software on the QuickBooks Enterprise server.

Ensure the Software is Configured Properly

If the TimeForge Accounting Bridge was not properly configured to use a Web Service account, you will first need to configure the Web Services.

Configure the TimeForge Accounting Bridge

If the TimeForge Accounting Bridge has not yet been fully configured, make sure to set up the Web Service Username and Password.

These values can be configured on the TimeForge web site, and will allow the software to communicate with TimeForge securely.

Set Up the Translator

Review the TimeForge Accounting Bridge dashboard.

1. Click on this link to set up the type of QuickBooks payroll that is imported. TimeForge will import all payroll hours (time sheets) as a single type of pay, for example, as “Regular Pay” or “Hourly Rate”. If you would like to split the time into multiple payroll types, this will need to be done inside of QuickBooks.

2. If a QuickBooks file is currently open, the company file will be displayed. In this example, no QuickBooks company file is open.

3. A status message about QuickBooks will be displayed. In this example, QuickBooks does not appear to be running.

You are all done! You can start using TimeForge and QuickBooks to process your payroll.

Posted in QuickBooks / No Comments.

How Do I Install TimeForge with QuickBooks?