ClickTime Blog

ClickTime 5.5

We are happy to have released version 5.5 of ClickTime last week. The new version includes some great new features. These are the highlights:

1. QuickBooks Connector - The ClickTime QuickBooks Connector helps you integrate timesheet and expense data seamlessly with QuickBooks. The integration tool communicates directly with QuickBooks, making it more efficient than traditional IIF export/import methods.
2. Excel Linking - This allows you to download ClickTime data directly into your own Excel spreadsheets without logging into the ClickTime web application. You can create your own custom reports in Excel (pivot tables, charts, etc.) and then dynamically update the information from ClickTime with a click of your mouse.
3. OpenID - We now provide support for login using OpenID. See our previous blog post for more info.
4. Week View (beta) - We added auto-saving and many other improvements to the Week View (beta) time-entry interface.
5. Reporting Improvements - A bunch of reports got updated with new columns, filters and output options.
6. Safari 3.1 Compatibility - We now officially support version 3.1 of the Safari web browser for Mac OS X, Windows XP and Windows Vista.

For more details about the changes in version 5.5, see our release notes.

ClickTime and OpenID

Our latest release of ClickTime offers support for OpenID. This is significant for a couple of reasons: it lets us offer single-sign-on to those customers who desire or require it. But more importantly, OpenID is a lightweight technology that is gaining traction in the enterprise -- and it's the ideal link between corporate identity management and hosted services like ClickTime.

If this is all new to you, here's a quick FAQ:

Q: What's OpenID?
A: It's a "Single-Sign-On" technology. With OpenID, you don't need to type in usernames and passwords to securely enter the web sites and applications that support it. You can manage one set of credentials and one password for all your web apps.

Q: How does ClickTime use it?
A: It's easy: instead of managing your password in ClickTime, you enter your OpenID server information in ClickTime. As long as you've already logged into your OpenID, you'll go directly into ClickTime without needing to enter a password.

Q: How do I get an OpenID for myself/my company?
A: Here are some suggestions:

1. Use one of the popular OpenID servers on the web (AOL, MyOpenID.com, most blog sites, etc.)
2. Install your own OpenID server (a great way to connect your OpenID to an existing Active Directory, LDAP server, etc.) Instructions are at www.openID.net

Q: Is all this secure?
A: We think OpenID offers excellent security without adding complexity. So do Microsoft, Sun, AOL, Yahoo, Verisign, and other major tech firms that have endorsed the standard.

Q: How do I get started?
A: Try using your OpenID with ClickTime and see what's available to you. OpenID is enabled by default for new accounts. Current subscribers can enable it easily in their company preferences.