---
title: JobCard Timer
description: "A simple yet powerful labour management tool​ **Who should use it?** - Any workshop where the owner feels that accurate technician time reporting is required. **How to Setup the Timer System ** 1. You will need a computer that your technicians…"
url: "https://vmgexcellence.co.za/docs/jobcard-timer/"
updated: "2025-10-30"
category: VMG WORKSHOP PRO
tags:
  - VMG WMS
---

# JobCard Timer

A simple yet powerful labour management tool​

**Who should use it?**

- Any workshop where the owner feels that accurate technician time reporting is required.

**How to Setup the Timer System **

1. You will need a computer that your technicians have easy access to. This workstation will be used mostly by the technicians.
2. Install VMG WMS onto this workstation. (if you don't know how, see - https://vmgexcellence.co.za/wms-installing-wms/
3. Visit setup.vmgsoftware and navigate to, VMG WMS Install Files - 2025/OLD - VMG Workshop Installs
4. Download Workshop Timer.rar  
5. Copy the file to the AMG WORKSHOP folder
6. Extract the file to the AMG WORKSHOP folder.

![](https://vmgexcellence.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/JCTimerSetup1.png)

1. Save a shortcut to the Timer application onto the desktop
2. Double click the application icon to open the Timer System

**SETUP THE TIMER SYSTEM**

- In WMS, you will need to setup a pin code for each technician
- In the employee tab, add/edit the relevant employee.
- Select “show in labour list”. You will see a generate PIN button.
- Click the generate pin button.
- You can retrieve the pin number from your VMG DBA team.

![](https://vmgexcellence.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Set-JC-Timer-Pin.webp)

**Using the Timer Module**

**Step 1**

1. Add a labour line to the JB
2. Select the technician
3. Click Save

Note: If no technician is addded to the labour line, the JC will be visible by ALL technicians in the timer system. Once a technician starts the timer in the JC Timer Module, his name will automatically be assigned to the Tehcnician field on the labour line on the jobcard.

![](https://vmgexcellence.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/image-1024x535.png)

**Step 2**

1. Open the Timer module and enter the technicians password

![](https://vmgexcellence.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/image-1.png)

2. Choose the Job in the Timer

![](https://vmgexcellence.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/image-2-1024x265.png)

3. Use “Timer – Start/Stop” to start the Timer.

![](https://vmgexcellence.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/image-3.png)

4. If START or STOP are selected, the Start / Stop window will close automatically

**Load Time to a JobCard**

- In DMS, open the JobCard and navigate to the Labour Tab
- Select the JobTimer Button and then Transfer the relevant line item to JC

![](https://vmgexcellence.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/add-JC-Time-to-JC-1024x372.webp)

**How does the Timer System Know Which Database to connect to?**

- The timer application uses the same ODBC driver settings used by the Workshop system installed on that Workstation. 
- This is why, you can only install one JobCard timer for one database on one PC.

**When CAN’T a JobCard timer be started or stopped?**

- When no labour is added to the JC
- When another technician is assigned to that job card
- When the Labour Type is set to not show on JobCard Timer.

**When CAN a JobCard timer be started or stopped?**

- When labour is added but no technician is loaded in the technician field on the labour line
- When the technician logging onto the timer matches the technician in the labour line on the WMS JobCard.

**Why do I see ALL JobCards when logging onto the Timer Application?**

- You see all Jobcards so that you can select the one that have been assigned to you. If you notice that you are unable to start/stop the timer, it means theres a problem on the WMS side that needs to be sorted. (See Why CANT a JobCard Timer be started or stopped above.