Flagtime System

The flagtime system provides real-time time tracking for technicians. Start a timer when you begin work and stop it when you're done for accurate, to-the-minute tracking.

What is Flagtime?

Flagtime (also called "flag time" or "on-the-clock time") is industry terminology for billable time spent working on a job. In ShopTrack, flagtime refers to the timer-based tracking system that records exactly when technicians start and stop work.

How It Works

  1. Start Timer - When you begin working on a work order, start the flagtime timer
  2. Work - The timer runs in the background as you perform the service
  3. Stop Timer - When you stop working (break, end of day, job complete), stop the timer
  4. Labor Entry Created - ShopTrack automatically creates a labor entry with the exact time
Flagtime Timer Running
A running flagtime timer shows elapsed time. flagtime-running

Starting a Timer

There are several ways to start a flagtime timer:

From the Work Order

  1. Open the work order
  2. Click the Flagtime tab
  3. Click Start Timer
Start Timer Button
Click Start Timer to begin tracking time. flagtime-start-button

From the Header

When viewing a work order, a quick-start timer button appears in the header:

Quick Start Timer
Start a timer quickly from the work order header. flagtime-quick-start

From the Dashboard

If you have work orders assigned to you, you can start timers directly from the dashboard.

While the Timer is Running

When you have an active flagtime timer:

  • A timer badge appears in the navigation showing elapsed time
  • The work order shows an "Active Timer" indicator
  • The timer continues even if you navigate away or close the browser
Active Timer Badge
The timer badge is visible throughout the application. flagtime-badge

One Timer at a Time

You can only have one active timer at a time. If you start a timer on a different work order, ShopTrack will prompt you to stop the current timer first.

Stopping a Timer

When you finish working:

  1. Click the timer badge or navigate to the work order
  2. Click Stop Timer
  3. Add a description of work performed (optional but recommended)
  4. Confirm to create the labor entry
Stop Timer Dialog
Add a description when stopping the timer. flagtime-stop-dialog

Flagtime Entries

All flagtime entries appear in the Flagtime tab of the work order:

Flagtime Entries List
View all flagtime entries for a work order. flagtime-entries

Each entry shows:

  • Technician name
  • Start and stop times
  • Duration
  • Description of work

Editing Flagtime Entries

To correct a flagtime entry (forgot to stop timer, wrong start time, etc.):

  1. Find the entry in the Flagtime tab
  2. Click Edit
  3. Adjust start time, stop time, or description
  4. Click Save

Edit Permissions

Technicians can only edit their own flagtime entries. Managers and administrators can edit any entry. All changes are logged in the work order history.

Automatic Status Updates

ShopTrack can automatically update work order status when you start a timer. If a work order is in Draft, Quoted, or Booked status, starting a timer can automatically move it to Active.

Configure this behavior in Settings → Application Defaults.