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JobCard Timer

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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.

  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.

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.

Step 2

  1. Open the Timer module and enter the technicians password

2. Choose the Job in the Timer

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

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

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.