Time Tracker Desktop Development
A cross-platform time tracking solution for employers — desktop apps for Windows and macOS with hourly rate tracking, work session logging, payment management, and a web portal for admin oversight.
Technologies
Case study
Project Overview
WorkPulse needed a complete workforce tracking system — not just a timer, but a full solution that covered how distributed teams work, how hours get logged, how rates get applied, and how managers get visibility into it all.
We built two products that work as one system. A desktop application for Windows and macOS that employees use to log their work sessions, track time against projects, and manage their activity. And a web portal for administrators and employers to monitor teams, review hours, set hourly rates, and manage payments — all from a single dashboard.
The result is a complete time tracking ecosystem — from the employee's desktop to the employer's browser, everything connected and reporting in real time.
Scope
What We Built
Desktop App — Windows & macOS
- Work session logging with start, stop, and pause controls
- Automatic idle detection — stops tracking when user is inactive
- Project-based time tagging — hours logged against specific projects and tasks
- Offline-first sync engine — tracks locally and syncs when connection is restored
- Employee privacy guardrails — tracks work hours, not personal activity
- System tray presence for quick access without disrupting workflow
Hourly Rate & Payment Management
- Hourly rate configuration per employee and per project
- Automatic calculation of billable hours and earnings
- Payment summary generation for payroll processing
- Historical rate tracking — rate changes applied correctly to past and future sessions
Web Portal — Admin Dashboard
- Real-time visibility into all active work sessions across the team
- Employee management — add, configure, and manage team members
- Hourly rate setting per employee and per project
- Hours review and approval workflow for managers
- Payment and billing management from a single dashboard
- Executive analytics with team productivity and billing insights
- Export reports for payroll and accounting
Sync & Data Layer
- Encrypted sync between desktop app and web portal
- Real-time updates — manager sees hours as they're logged
- Offline support — no lost data when connection drops
- GDPR-compliant data handling and storage
Outcomes
Results
- Desktop apps shipped for both Windows and macOS
- 18% recovery of previously untracked billable hours
- Real-time manager insights across distributed teams
- Encrypted telemetry compliant with GDPR requirements
- Offline-first design ensures zero data loss during connectivity issues
- Complete payment management from hourly rate to payroll summary
- Single system replacing multiple disconnected tools