Time Tracking on the Value Tab

The Value tab can be used in conjunction with the Needles Time Tracking  feature. Time entries are saved as Value items in a case rather than on the Time tab. By using the Value tab, time items are available to include in customized settlement memos, merge documents, user defined reports, and existing Value reports.

• Activating Time Tracking to Value
• Creating Time Value Items

Activating Time Tracking to Value

To enable Time Tracking on the Value tab:

1. Create a Value Code in the Value Codes Mini Directory to be used for time entries.
2. Click on the File menu, and select Firm Preferences.
3. Select the Time Tracking tab.

4. Select the Activate Time Tracking check box.
5. Select the Save Time to Value Tab check box. Additional fields will display.
6. Provider is a searchable names field allowing for a name to be searched in Needles to select an existing provider or add a new name to your database. The Provider in this instance should be the firm.

• Enter a fragment of the firm's name. The Name Results List will display a list of matching results.
• Double-click the desired name from the search results or add a new name by clicking on the Add Provider button.

7. Select the Value Code created for Time entries from the dropdown (step #1, above).
8. Select all Staff who will be tracking time from the Set Staff dropdown.
9. In the Set Case Types field, select all Case Types from the dropdown where time tracking should be available.
10. Click the Save button to keep changes.
11. Tasks must be entered in the Tasks Mini Directory prior to completing your first time entry.
12. Default Hourly Rates should be entered in the Time/Tasks Staff Preferences for each Staff person tracking time.

Creating Time Value Items

Once Time Tracking has been activated, a timer will be displayed in the Header Band of the Case Folder in an opened case. Time cards will automatically pop up when attempting to close a Case Folder or exit Needles when cases are still open. Double-clicking on the timer in the Header Band will also cause a time card to display. See the Time Tracking topic for additional information on using the timer and entering time cards in Needles.

When the time card is saved, a Value item will automatically be created and can be viewed on the Value tab. The Value item will be populated with the following information:

• The Provider and Value Code will be populated from the Time Tracking tab in Firm Preferences.
• The Staff Code and Task Description will display in the Memo field separated by a hyphen. This field cannot be modified when the designated Time value code is set as the Value Code for the value item.
• The Rate field from the Time Entry window (typically the Default Rate for the Staff) will populate the Rate/Period field.
• The Rate field from the time card will populate the Rate/Period field, and the Billable Time field will convert to the Number of Periods. The Value Total will be calculated based on the content in the Rate/Period, Period, and Number of Periods fields.

• A Value Note is created for the value item using the Value Note Topic of "Time Entry" from the Value Notes Mini Directory.
• The Note Staff, Date, Start Time, and Note fields are populated directly from the Time Entry form.

A time value item can be manually created by filling in the fields as noted above. Time value entries can be printed just like printing any value items. When the Time tracking to Value option has been enabled, standard time reports from value will be available from both the Reports for Tab ribbon button and the Report Library, which includes Time Reports and Value Reports.