How does the system handle jobs at large commercial properties where GPS might be inaccurate?

The system uses a 300-foot geofence radius to accommodate large properties, parking structures, and interior building work. Technicians can also manually confirm arrival with a single button tap if they arrive before GPS detects the location, and the system logs both GPS and manual confirmation timestamps for complete accuracy.

What happens if a technician takes a personal break during a complex job?

The smart detection algorithm identifies breaks longer than 30 minutes at non-customer locations and automatically pauses billable time. For quick breaks on-site during legitimate waiting periods (like waiting for parts delivery during a commercial lock installation), time continues as billable work since the technician is committed to that job.

Can customers see the detailed time breakdown on their invoices?

Yes, and this transparency actually reduces billing disputes. Customers receive invoices showing arrival time, work phase durations (assessment: 15 min, lock picking: 32 min, testing: 8 min), travel time if applicable, and total hours. For commercial clients and insurance claims, this detailed documentation is particularly valuable and often required.

How does this handle emergency calls where response time affects premium billing?

The system automatically logs the exact time from dispatch to arrival, calculates response time, and applies the appropriate emergency premium rate based on your business rules. For lockout services where you guarantee 20-minute response times, the tracking provides proof of compliance and automatically bills the premium emergency rate without technician input.

What if a technician forgets their phone or it dies during a job?

The system allows manual time entry with supervisor approval for these rare situations. However, most field service automation platforms integrate with vehicle GPS trackers as a backup, ensuring time tracking continues even without the mobile device. The system flags manual entries for review to maintain tracking integrity.

Does automated tracking work for jobs that span multiple days like master key system installations?

Yes, the system tracks multi-day projects by logging daily clock-in/clock-out times at the job site and accumulating total hours automatically. Each day's work is segmented separately in the system while maintaining a running total for the complete project, making it easy to bill milestone payments or final project invoices with accurate labor costs.

How does this integrate with payroll if we pay technicians hourly?

Time tracking data exports directly to payroll systems in standard formats or via API integration. Since the system captures all work time accurately, it eliminates payroll discrepancies and provides documented backup for wage calculations. Many locksmith businesses use the same time data for both customer billing and employee payroll calculations.

How does the system handle jobs at large commercial properties where GPS might be inaccurate?

The system uses a 300-foot geofence radius to accommodate large properties, parking structures, and interior building work. Technicians can also manually confirm arrival with a single button tap if they arrive before GPS detects the location, and the system logs both GPS and manual confirmation timestamps for complete accuracy.

What happens if a technician takes a personal break during a complex job?

The smart detection algorithm identifies breaks longer than 30 minutes at non-customer locations and automatically pauses billable time. For quick breaks on-site during legitimate waiting periods (like waiting for parts delivery during a commercial lock installation), time continues as billable work since the technician is committed to that job.

Can customers see the detailed time breakdown on their invoices?

Yes, and this transparency actually reduces billing disputes. Customers receive invoices showing arrival time, work phase durations (assessment: 15 min, lock picking: 32 min, testing: 8 min), travel time if applicable, and total hours. For commercial clients and insurance claims, this detailed documentation is particularly valuable and often required.

How does this handle emergency calls where response time affects premium billing?

The system automatically logs the exact time from dispatch to arrival, calculates response time, and applies the appropriate emergency premium rate based on your business rules. For lockout services where you guarantee 20-minute response times, the tracking provides proof of compliance and automatically bills the premium emergency rate without technician input.

What if a technician forgets their phone or it dies during a job?

The system allows manual time entry with supervisor approval for these rare situations. However, most field service automation platforms integrate with vehicle GPS trackers as a backup, ensuring time tracking continues even without the mobile device. The system flags manual entries for review to maintain tracking integrity.

Does automated tracking work for jobs that span multiple days like master key system installations?

Yes, the system tracks multi-day projects by logging daily clock-in/clock-out times at the job site and accumulating total hours automatically. Each day's work is segmented separately in the system while maintaining a running total for the complete project, making it easy to bill milestone payments or final project invoices with accurate labor costs.

How does this integrate with payroll if we pay technicians hourly?

Time tracking data exports directly to payroll systems in standard formats or via API integration. Since the system captures all work time accurately, it eliminates payroll discrepancies and provides documented backup for wage calculations. Many locksmith businesses use the same time data for both customer billing and employee payroll calculations.

Locksmith Time Tracking Automation | Capture Every Billable Minute

About This Blueprint

Locksmith businesses lose an average of $18,000 annually per technician due to untracked time, manual timesheet errors, and forgotten billing for extended lockouts or complex re-keying jobs. This automation blueprint implements a GPS-triggered, workflow-based time tracking system that automatically logs clock-in when a technician arrives at a job site, tracks work phases (assessment, lock manipulation, installation, testing), and calculates total billable time including travel and emergency callout premiums. The system integrates directly with invoicing to ensure every minute is captured and billed correctly. This low-touch solution eliminates the need for technicians to manually start timers or fill out timesheets at the end of their shift. Instead, the system uses geofencing around job locations, status updates within the mobile app, and job completion workflows to build a complete time record automatically. For emergency lockout services where every minute counts toward premium billing, the system tracks response time from dispatch to arrival, work duration, and provides detailed time breakdowns that justify premium rates to customers. Business owners gain real-time visibility into technician productivity, accurate job costing data, and confidence that no billable time slips through the cracks.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Blueprint

Most technicians prefer automated tracking because it eliminates the end-of-day timesheet burden and ensures they get credit for all work performed. The system removes disputes about hours worked and guarantees accurate compensation for overtime and emergency premiums without requiring them to remember start times or calculate hours manually.

Locksmith Job Time Tracking

Step-by-Step Workflow

Automated Clock-In on Arrival

Phase-Based Time Segmentation

Travel Time Auto-Calculation

Break Time Smart Detection

Emergency Premium Auto-Application

Automated Invoice Time Population

Real-Time Dashboard Analytics

About This Blueprint

Key Metrics

Expected Outcomes

Zero Manual Timesheet Entry

Complete Billable Time Capture

Instant Invoice Population

Premium Rate Enforcement

Job Costing Visibility

Dispute Resolution Evidence

Frequently Asked Questions About This Blueprint

Implement Locksmith Job Time Tracking in Your Organization

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