Apex Engineering, Inc. : time card improvement for a consulting engineering firm

Abstract

Apex Engineering, Inc. uses a computerized accounting program called Win2 for processing its payroll even though each week every employee fills out a time sheet by hand. Errors on the time sheets were delaying processing. This thesis project looked at improving the time sheets. The project centered around the design and implementation of a computerized timecard to replace the handwritten time sheet. This project served two major purposes. First, the new computerized timecard improved the accuracy and completeness of the original time sheet. Second, the information in the new timecard can now be easily extracted and compiled into reports. All data is contained within a Microsoft Access 2.0 database table. Tools such as structured query language (SQL) can be used to extract information from the central database based on selected criteria such as a list of all employees hours for any given project. The new computerized timecard was designed with short-term tactical and longterm strategic goals in mind. The tactical goals included faster timecard completion; more accurate match of project numbers and descriptions; and more accurate computation of employee hours. The strategic goals covered creation of a centralized database containing all employee timecard data with provision for extraction, compilation and creation of reports using SQL. These SQL-derived reports now can be used for improving areas such as the bidding process or personnel assignments within the firm . The timecard was designed to be simple and easy to use, especially by noncomputer literate personnel. To use the timecard the employee merely starts the program in a standard Windows environment. Then the employee makes selections by use of a standard Windows pointing device such as a mouse or track ball. The only typing involved by the employee is entering the hours worked on each project. The timecard program automatically computes the hours as the employee advances from one option to the next. The service program is also easy to use. Its opening screen contains command buttons that open tables in the database for direct editing by support personnel. Any table can be edited. The service program operates from a secure computer to maintain confidentiality.