As the co-founder and CEO of a time-tracking software company, Jibble, I need to know what my competitors are up to. That means I’m often researching about and/or playing around with their products (you know, it’s part of the job) so I really know what’s out there. Here, I explain what to look for in your next screenshot time-tracking software.
The Standout Feature to Look for in a Screenshot Time-Tracking Software: Automated Screenshot Capture
Automated screenshot capture in screenshot time-tracking software is a feature that automatically takes screenshots of an employee’s screen at predetermined intervals. This function works in the background while the employee is logged into their work environment, capturing images of the screen to provide visual proof of work being done. The software typically allows for settings to be adjusted, such as the frequency of screenshots and the hours during which this feature is active, ensuring it aligns with privacy policies and work schedules.
The lack of automatic screenshot capture in some tools presents a significant challenge for verifying remote work. Manual screenshot processes rely on employers remembering to capture screens, leading to inconsistent monitoring and potential productivity misrepresentations. This inconsistency can obscure true work patterns, hinder accurate task prioritization assessment, and inflate inefficiencies, complicating the management of remote or distributed teams and fostering trust issues due to the sporadic visibility into employees’ overall work habits.
Automated screenshot capture addresses these issues by providing a consistent and unobtrusive method of documenting work progress. By automatically capturing screens at set intervals, it ensures a continuous and impartial record of employee activity, allowing for a fair and transparent review process. This feature streamlines work verification enhances productivity analysis, and supports a balanced approach to remote supervision, nurturing a culture of trust and accountability within the team without disrupting the workflow or employee autonomy.
Beyond X: Other Key Features to Look For
Now that we’ve discussed the KEY feature that you can’t forsake when looking for a screenshot time-tracking software, here are a few more features that you should definitely consider:
Multi-Screen Efficiency
Multi-screen efficiency in screenshot time-tracking software is a feature that allows the capture of screenshots from multiple monitors simultaneously, especially useful for those employees who use more than one screen, as it provides a complete picture of the work environment.
The problem without multi-screen efficiency is that traditional screenshot time-tracking might only capture the primary screen, missing crucial work activities happening on secondary or additional monitors. This partial visibility can lead to underestimating an employee’s productivity, as tasks performed on other screens remain unrecorded. For roles that require extensive research, data analysis, or simultaneous application use, this limitation can skew the understanding of how work hours are utilized, potentially affecting overall evaluations.
Screenshot time-tracking software multi-screen efficiency solves this issue by ensuring a comprehensive view of an employee’s work activities, no matter how many screens they use. It provides managers and team leaders with a full scope of the work being performed, enabling a more accurate assessment of productivity and work habits. For employees, it means their complete work effort is recognized and accounted for, promoting fairness and transparency.
Cross-Platform Support
Cross-platform support in screenshot time-tracking software means the software can work on various operating systems and devices, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, and sometimes even mobile platforms like iOS and Android. This cross-platform functionality allows employees to have each activity captured through screenshots regardless of the device or system used.
The problem without cross-platform support is the limitation it imposes on teams that use a mix of operating systems and devices. Today, it’s common for team members to switch between different devices or to have a personal preference for a specific operating system. Traditional time-tracking solutions that do not offer cross-platform support can exclude or inconvenience part of the workforce, leading to gaps in tracking, reduced productivity, and potentially a need for multiple time-tracking solutions to accommodate everyone. This can complicate the management process, increase costs, and lead to inconsistencies in data collection and analysis.
Cross-platform support solves these issues by offering a unified solution that caters to the needs of a diverse tech environment. It ensures that all team members, regardless of their preferred or required operating system, can participate in the time-tracking process with the same level of engagement and efficiency. This inclusivity simplifies management, enhances workflow continuity, and ensures that data collection is consistent and comprehensive. For employers, it means streamlined operations and reduced overhead for managing different systems.
Privacy Control
Privacy control in screenshot time-tracking software is a feature that allows both employees and employers to manage what is captured in screenshots and when. This innovative feature can include options to blur sensitive information, set specific times for screenshots to be taken, or even allow employees to pause tracking during non-work-related activities. The aim is to balance the need for monitoring and productivity verification with respect for individual privacy.
The problem without privacy control is the potential invasion of privacy and the discomfort it may cause among employees. Continuous, unregulated screenshot capture can lead to the recording of personal or sensitive information, such as private messages, passwords, or confidential data. This not only raises ethical concerns but can also create a sense of mistrust and unease among the workforce, potentially impacting morale and productivity. Employees may feel watched or judged on every action, leading to a stressful work environment.
Implementing privacy control solves these problems by creating a more respectful and trusting relationship between employers and employees. It reassures employees that their privacy is valued and protected, even in a remote or monitored work setting. This feature allows for transparency in how data is collected and used, giving employees some control over their privacy. As a result, it builds trust, reduces resistance to time-tracking software, and fosters a positive work culture where monitoring is balanced with respect for personal boundaries.
Offline Tracking
Offline tracking in screenshot time-tracking software is a feature that allows the software to continue recording time and capturing screenshots even when the user is not connected to the internet. This means that the software will keep tracking work hours and activities based on the settings predefined by the user or the employer, storing the data locally on the device. Once an internet connection is re-established, the tracked time and screenshots are then synchronized with the server or cloud, ensuring that all data is accurately recorded and updated in the system.
The problem without offline tracking is that any work done without an internet connection goes unmonitored and unrecorded, particularly challenging for remote workers who might have unreliable internet connections or for those who travel frequently and work in transit. As a result, there’s a gap in productivity records, making it difficult for employers to get a full picture of the work done. Employees, on the other hand, may not get credit for all the hours they’ve worked, leading to discrepancies in time-tracking and potentially affecting their evaluations or pay.
Offline tracking solves these issues by ensuring continuous monitoring of work activities, regardless of internet availability. This feature guarantees that no work hour goes unrecorded, providing a complete and accurate account of employees’ productivity. For employers, it means being able to trust the time-tracking data even when employees are offline. For employees, it offers peace of mind knowing that all work is accounted for, fostering fairness in the workspace.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when selecting a screenshot time-tracking software, it is imperative to consider essential features such as automated screenshot capture, multi-screen capability, cross-platform support, privacy controls, and offline tracking functionality. These features are indispensable for enhancing productivity, ensuring accuracy in time recording, and maintaining privacy and flexibility in various work environments, thereby supporting a diverse and dynamic workforce.
Notably, Jibble offers all of these features at no cost, making it an exceptional choice for those seeking a comprehensive time-tracking solution without additional financial investment.
Check for yourself: Jibble’s 100% FREE Screenshots Time Tracker
Important Cautionary Note
When making this above guide, we have tried to make it accurate, but we do not give any guarantee that the information provided is correct or up-to-date. We therefore strongly advise you to seek advice from qualified professionals before acting on any information provided in this guide. We do not accept any liability for any damages or risks incurred for the use of this guide.
