Frequently Asked Questions on TimeLinx for SalesLogix

Q. What are the feature differences between the various Editions of TimeLinx?

A. See the Edition Comparison page.

Q. Is TimeLinx a separate program that must be integrated with SalesLogix?

A. No, TimeLinx LAN and WebProject clients operate totally within  their respective SalesLogix clients as the functionality of TimeLinx is built using the SalesLogix development tools. TimeLinx uses the same database as the core CRM system.

Q. Are there any additional hardware, software, or memory considerations that we need to plan for?

A. No.  Since TimeLinx is installed and runs completely inside of your existing or new SalesLogix system, there are no additional requirements at all.  There are no additional servers or memory to purchase, and there is no additional client software to install on workstations.  If you are using any of the TimeLinx web modules such as WebSheet, WebCalendar, or Mobile, then we will create additional web sites on your current IIS installation.

Q. Are the tables that store data for TimeLinx separate from the data tables that store information for my core SalesLogix system.

A. No. TimeLinx is built entirely within the existing SalesLogix database structure, and is created using the provided Architect program. There is no synchronization or passing of any data from one system to another as the TimeLinx system is truly part of the SQL database that is SalesLogix. In fact, other than the unique prefix that we put on all of our table names, there is no difference between our data tables and either the factory ones, or custom ones that you can add yourself.  Therefore, all reporting or integrations are easily done within the one system.

Q. Can we customize TimeLinx to our specific needs?

A. Yes. From version 6.x on, TimeLinx screens and data tables can generally be customized to your specific requirements using the same development tools provided to all SalesLogix customers. However, as over  16,000 hours have been put into the development of TimeLinx, we advise working with us prior to any customizations being performed. In addition, there are some areas and functions of TimeLinx that are proprietary and cannot be modified without our involvement and/or additional development tools.

Q. How will the installation of TimeLinx affect customizations we have made to our system already?

A. Almost every bit of TimeLinx is totally new functionality with new tables, screens and logic that will have absolutely no impact on your existing modifications, database, or data. There are some areas, such as our Tickets, Contracts, and Opportunity integration that will be impacted and will require some merging of our code with yours. However, these are minor code changes and can be performed quite easily by either you, your SwiftPage Business Partner, or ourselves.

Q. How does TimeLinx user licensing work?

A. TimeLinx has Project Manager, Timekeeper, Module, and System licenses, and combinations of those. TimeLinx requires each user who will have a TimeLinx user identity to be assigned to one of the license types. In other words, if a person needs to view or modify any TimeLinx data, they will need a license. In addition, any user whose time will be tracked in TimeLinx is required to have a license, even if someone else will be entering their time for them. Any user who will have work or appointments scheduled for them, and when those appointments are related to TimeLinx Projects will require a license. Lastly, any user who will be creating SalesLogix Tickets and entering time into them that will be linked to a TimeLinx Project will require a license. An exception is that salespeople or other staff that only need to view summary project and task data from an Account level, can do so without any TimeLinx license.

Q. What is the difference between the TimeLinx PM license and the Timekeeper license?

A. The Timekeeper license doesn’t allow a SalesLogix/TimeLinx user to access the Project Detail or any of the related tabs, or the Service Query or any other TimeLinx functions.  The Timekeeper user can only enter time and expenses, and manage Tasks, from the TimeLinx toolbar. They can also add time through SLX Tickets linked to TLX Projects, and view Task information by Project on the Account, Project, Tasks tab.

Q. What SalesLogix Licenses are needed for my users to operate TimeLinx?

A. TimeLinx supports both SalesLogix Named and Concurrent licenses. The TimeLinx license is always a "Named" license but can be listed either as a Named or Concurrent SalesLogix user.

License Types:

• Project Manager (full user) – This License enables all TimeLinx functions including Projects, Tasks, Time, Expenses, Contracts, Attachments, Resources, plus TimeLinx data entry through the SLX Calendar and Tickets for a single Named user. This License is for both SalesLogix Web or LAN.
• Timekeeper – This license allows only time and expense entry functions (including from the SalesLogix Calendar and Tickets), plus access to the TimeLinx Task Manager.  Access to and manipulation of any data within the Project view itself is not permitted.  This License is for both SalesLogix Web or LAN. 
• Timekeeper WebSheet – When the WebSheet is installed in a system, this license allows entry of time and expenses through that interface only and does not allow any access to SalesLogix itself.  Perfect for sub-contractors or staff that do not need to use SalesLogix for any other purpose.
• Admin Entry -Admin Entry License is for users who need Time & Expenses entered on their behalf by a Project Manager or TimeKeeper.  
• Expense Entry - The Expense Entry License is for users who only need to enter Expense entries to an Account or Opportunity.  These users do not have the ability to run any other TimeLinx functions and cannot view other Project details.
• TimeLinx Mobile - The TimeLinx Mobile client permits time and expense entry only and will be extended to additional functions during 2013. 
• Mobile Add-On - TimeLinx Mobile Add-On License is for Project Manager users who need the added ability to enter Time & Expenses remotely via a mobile device.  
  

Q. Does TimeLinx support the "remote synchronization" technology of SalesLogix?

A. Absolutely. In fact, TimeLinx was designed around that system expressly for the purpose of providing project managers and timekeepers in the field with access to their project data without the need to be connected to the internet. TimeLinx can be fully operated on a remote, disconnected laptop with full TimeLinx functionality. All entered data is bi-directionally synchronized with the host database as soon as an internet connection is detected and the user permits synchronization.

Q. What are the web modules all about?

A. There are three web-based tools from TimeLinx:

1. The TimeLinx WebProject for the web and Amazon Cloud is a full Project Management browser-based client that is an extension of the SalesLogix web client. It is the essentially the same product as our LAN product yet built on the SalesLogix web platform for either on-premise or Cloud deployments.
2. The TimeLinx WebSheet module resides on your server and reads and writes data to the SalesLogix database in real time, either LAN, web on-premise, or Amazon Cloud. It provides the ability for users to enter time and expenses over the web from anywhere in the world, without any need to learn the SalesLogix client. Both Named and Concurrent SalesLogix user license types are supported.
3. The TimeLinx WebCalendar module resides on your server and reads and writes Calendar/Activity data to the database in real time. It is an optimized view of the SalesLogix calendar adding capabilities to view availability and schedule users to project work using a graphical interface. Availability and scheduling be performed selected by skill set, location, Teams, and Departments.  Users and project managers can view work they are scheduled for, and schedule for others with appropriate permissions. The WebCalendar is both a standalone product as well as part of the TimeLinx LAN and WebProject clients.

All TimeLinx modules access SalesLogix data in real-time through ADO and OLE-DB connectors and therefore do not require any synchronization.

Q. We're interested in integrating TimeLinx with our accounting system. How does licensing work?

A. The TimeLinx Accounting Platform ("TAP") is a two-piece system consisting of a core TAP module, plus an individual connector for each specific accounting system. The TAP module is licensed on a system-wide basis based on the total number of licensed TimeLinx users of all types your system.