Enterprise web based Time Off Tracking solutions.

Getting Started

You access TrackStar by clicking on a browser link. The system provides multiple levels of security and encryption, so your data is safe and secure.

Each employee logs on to TrackStar using their unique ID and password. Once signed on, a menu system is presented that reflects the capabilities that have been granted each user. Though simple to use, multiple levels of help are provided to assist users if needed.

Building a Time Off Request

Building a Time Off Request couldn’t be simpler.  Employees specify the type of request, and select the dates using a point-and-click interface that is intuitive and simple to learn.  Once a request has been built, it is sent to management for approval and processing.
 
The software supports many system preferences, such as one to prevent requests on weekends.  Also, company holidays, when entered through the holiday setup tool, are automatically reserved.  These customizable points make it easy to tailor TrackStar to fit your organization perfectly!

Globalization

TrackStar is a global solution, and supports deployment to multiple countries with different cultures.  Tools are provided to setup accrual rules and events specific to a country or group. 

Balance displays can be tailored for various groups, and support is included for Spanish language (other languages being developed).

Leave Management

Extended leaves are another type of time off.  The system supports tracking of extended leaves, such as Military leave or FMLA, by entering the start and end dates of the leave period.  During leaves, you may choose to suspend accruals of PTO earnings, as defined by your company policy.

TrackStar is a comprehensive Time Off Tracking application, and includes features not found in many competitive products!

Time Off Calendar

Often managers need to know who will be in (or out) for a specific period, such as Thanksgiving holidays, or other times when many employees are requesting time off.  TrackStar provides forms to check for conflicts, and to display employees who have requested time off in a selected month.  Managers use this to determine if adequate employee coverage is available for selected dates.

Balance Calculations

The system calculates and maintains balances on multiple accounts or categories that you setup.  Employees and managers use the system to display balances online.  The balance form includes historical information, showing every credit or debit to the balance.  The system also supports balance adjustments, which can be used to make adjustments when needed.

The balance form is configurable at installation time.  You can choose from numerous “buckets” that are maintained on each account, such as Current Balance, Year End Balance, etc.  You can choose to display information in hours or days, and choose various other totals for display.

Management Approvals

When employees request time off, the system routes the request to their manager (or optionally others) for approval.  Managers are informed of pending requests via email and then review requests online and make approval decisions.  From the approval form, they can check the employees balance, check for conflicts with other employees, and then approve or reject the request with one button click.  If configured, the system will send an email notification to the request originator, indicating the approval status of their request.

Approving multiple requests is fast and easy, through use of the scroll arrows provided.  A manager can accomplish all approvals in one session, with a minimum of effort!

Unscheduled Time Off

It is often useful to enter time taken that was not scheduled in advance.  For example, if an employee calls in sick, you would want to track the event by entering unscheduled time off.  TrackStar allows for entry of unscheduled time by administrators and managers who have the proper security.  Once time has been entered, a permanent record is created and balances are adjusted.

Time can be entered as a full or half day, or by system preference, in hours. Time entered using this form does not need approval.  The information immediately affects employee balances when entered.

Making Balance Adjustments

It is sometimes necessary to make adjustments to employee balances when special events occur.  For example, if an employee worked a regularly scheduled company holiday, you might compensate them by giving them an extra day of vacation time. 

The adjustment tool can be used for this purpose, as well as handling other similar events that require balance adjustments.

Formula Builder

The system includes a formula builder, which is used to define your company policies in the system.  Once defined, the system tracks accruals for the defined events such as PTO, Vacation, Sick, etc.  You are free to define as many events as needed to implement your policy.  Also, you may define different accrual rules or formulas, and assign them to employees as needed.  For example, a Standard Policy might grant 10 days per year for the first 5 years of employment.  An Executive policy might grant 15 days over the same period.  You use the system to create the policies, and then link the policy to employees.  This extremely flexible and adaptable solution can be tailored to your business rules without programming!

Time Off Analyzer

The Time Off Analyzer is used to display time taken by employees in a graphical form.  This view can be helpful in spotting trends, such as repeated absenteeism.
Each cell in the form is color coded to represent the type of time off.  In the example shown, orange indicates company holidays, while blue represents PTO.  You are able to select any color scheme you desire.

Email Notifications

TrackStar integrates with your existing email system to keep managers informed.  Whenever approvals are submitted, managers can receive email messages indicating an approval is required.
 
The email includes a quick link to TrackStar, making it easy to logon and perform approvals. 

You can optionally enable "Approvals by Email" so that the approval can be done without logging in to TrackStar.  This feature is often used with mobile devices.

Calendar Integration

TrackStar integrates with Outlook (and other compliant calendar systems) to indicate time when subordinates will be out of the office. This interface is optional and can be enabled by each manager.  When managers approve Time Off Requests, an email entry is sent to their calendar, which they accept using the meeting interface.  Reminders are supported as well, so managers will always know when people are out.

Reporting

Numerous reports are included in the Paid Time Off Tracking module to assist managers and administrators in tracking balances, and various other statistics.  All reports are exportable to Excel, and can be further manipulated, distributed, or archived.  Reports can also be scheduled to run on planned intervals, and are delivered via email to specified recipients.

In the event that a special view of the data is needed, TrackStar includes a report writer that you can use to develop reports.  User defined reports are automatically integrated with the system, and appear in menus as standard reports do.  ISC also offers customization services, if you prefer to contract for custom reports.

Administration Tools

TrackStar includes a robust set of administration tools to help you configure and tailor the system.  You use the admin tools to load and maintain employee, department, and various other data tables in the system.  It also includes a scheduling tool that can be used to generate background jobs or tasks, such as data extracts and reports.  For example, you can setup a job so that balance information is automatically sent to your payroll vendor monthly.

Outstanding Support

ISC provides world-class support for its software.  When you have a question or problem, our staff provides the answers you need, when you need them.  For ASP customers, the support fees are built-in to the monthly fee.  This includes updates, bug fixes, and periodic enhancements.  For in-house customers, our support plan is required in the first year and optional thereafter.