Does Sage Timeslips ECenter allow "dynamic data entry"? (Type "smi" to get "Rebecca Smith v. Jones" from long list? Or "dep" to get "L330 - Plaintiff's Deposition" from long list of ABA Task Codes?)
Specifically, nearly every other program we use today (Quicken, bank programs, etc.) allows a user entering data to pick an item from a long list simply by entering any few letters found anywhere in the items (e.g. cases, codes) on the list (e.g. "smi"), then it will present a "short list" of entries that may have those letters (e.g. "Rebecca Smith v. Jones," "Hamilton v. Smithfield" etc.), for the user to quickly pick from.
But, Timeslips ECenter does NOT appear to have this feature, on EITHER the desktop/web OR the mobile (cellphone) versions. (Seems obsolete and frustrating).
For detail, to enter ONE slip at our law firm through Timeslips E Center, we (attorneys such as myself), need to pick through THREE lists of "case names" (Client, long list, often in form "XYZ\Pa\Jones,Rob"), "Task" codes (e.g. "A101-Plan and Prepare for"), and "Reference" codes (e.g. "L330 Plaintiff Deposition").
With no "dynamic search" the user needs to tediously scroll through (hundreds) of cases names. Or (quickly) type closest estimate, starting from the beginning ("X Y Z \ P A \ J ..."). (Heaven forbid you hit a "front slash" (/) instead of a "back slash" (\), then start all over. etc.). Repeat same "start from the beginning" by the "code" (A109, L250, etc.) (who remembers them?), or scroll by mouse, twice, for EVERY separate entry, all BEFORE he or she can enter any of the "good" or "meaningful" stuff (amount of time, description).
Obviously, with "dynamic search" the user who knows he or she "attended" a "deposition" for the "Jones v. Smith" case, could quickly pick the Client with "smi," A code with "att," and L code with "dep,"
This one outdated "kludginess" of data entry in Timeslips ECenter (I believe) -- no dynamic search -- costs us, and many firms, hundreds of billable hours per month and year. And, it must wreck customer satisfaction for both Timeslips ECenter and Timeslips Sage Mobile (phone) application as well.
Note - Our firm forces us attorneys and timekeepers to enter our time only through Timeslips ECenter or Timeslips Mobile App. (No individual desktop versions). (But, ECenter "should" it seems allow this very basic function of "dynamic search" like almost every other website does as of this time).
For identification, as noted, I am a user and attorney who needs to enter my time every day and every month into Timeslips Sage ECenter. Our firm has been a Timeslips Sage user for not only the 15 years I have been here since 2004, but also for a long time before that, going back to the 1990s. (Tha may in part explain the VERY long list of client/case names we need to wade through for every entry). As to the "Task" and "Reference" codes (e.g. A109, L330, etc.), our corporate clients require us to use them for billing, so "dynamic search" could really help for them as well. This is my first post on Timeslips Sage forum.
Hopefully, you can advise a way that "dynamic data entry" is available for Timeslips Sage ECenter.
Thanks,
The Beez
