TimePilot Reports and Troubleshooting Guide (Page 2 Q&A)

This article continues our practical overview of legacy TimePilot time and attendance systems. While originally designed as a PC-based alternative to punch clocks, TimePilot introduced reporting tools and export features that helped businesses move toward more structured payroll processing. Below are common questions about reporting, salaried employee tracking, exports, and technical troubleshooting.

What Reports Can TimePilot Create?

TimePilot software generates reports in three primary categories:

• Employee Reports: Printable reports for a single employee, selected employees, or the entire workforce. Administrators can choose from multiple data categories including regular hours, overtime, total hours, vacation time, and sick leave.
• Summary Reports: Group-based reports organized by pay type, department, or shift. These reports help managers review attendance patterns at a higher level.
• Tardy Reports: Reports that identify early and late clock-ins and clock-outs, including total minutes in each category. This allows supervisors to identify attendance patterns and exceptions quickly.

These reporting tools were among the reasons many businesses transitioned from manual punch clocks to PC-based systems in the early 2000s.

How Does TimePilot Help with Salaried Employees?

Although salaried employees are not paid hourly, attendance tracking can still provide valuable operational insights. TimePilot’s reporting and In/Out Manager tools allow supervisors to confirm employee presence and track overall weekly attendance. Many businesses discovered that even when payroll wasn’t calculated hourly, visibility into attendance improved accountability and scheduling.

Can TimePilot Export to Excel?

Yes. TimePilot allows administrators to define export formats that include selected data categories. These export files can then be opened in spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel or imported into payroll software. Creating an export definition allows businesses to customize the exact information included in their reports.

Technical Questions and Troubleshooting

How Do I Test an iButton?

TimePilot iButtons are durable and contain no internal battery. To test one:

• Tap the iButton to a powered time clock station.
• If the clock emits a sound or displays text, the iButton is functioning correctly.

The station does not need to be connected to a computer for this test.

Error Opening AccHours.int File

This error was historically linked to certain Windows operating system updates. The recommended solution is to update the TimePilot software using the built-in TimePilot Update Utility. If issues persist, running the “Repair Database” function from Transaction Manager often resolves database-related errors.

Why Does the Clock Display “--:--”?

The “--:--” display indicates an exception in the employee’s punch sequence. TimePilot requires alternating IN and OUT transactions. If an employee forgets to clock in or out, or performs the wrong action, the pattern is disrupted.

Supervisors can correct this by opening Transaction Manager, reviewing the employee’s transactions, and restoring the proper IN/OUT sequence. The software typically highlights irregular entries to assist with correction.