I am starting to finally utilize the Zoho Books time tracking functionality with employees. While a novel endeavor that I want to continue using, I find it very limiting at the moment and have some suggestions.

1) Why does all time entry have to be tied to a project? I work with sub contractors that need to be enter time for invoices they work on without having a project/invoice setup yet in the system. This also leads me to go onto my second item...

2) How come there cannot be more granular permissions within the users options in Books? For example, I would like to be able to give my workers the ability to view the contact list and enter time, but touch no other parts of the accounting. Right now, I can only assign them as time entry people or give them full access. I think there needs to be more Quickbooks-like options so this feature can be fully utilized.

3) I think time entry for labor should be more streamlined in the system. I would like techs to be able to tie customers to labor they enter instead of having to deal with projects. Also, when I setup projects for time entry, I have to add tasks that the workers can assign their labor to. Just a time wasting necessity in my opinion.

I am ideally looking for my workers to be able to login with their own accounts, get access to the client list so they can handle their own calls and such, and then enter invoice drafts WITHOUT making them final or being able to email/send them out. This way I can approve all invoices before they are escalated to the client for payment.

I like the idea of having time tracking in Books but it needs to be fleshed out to be like Quickbooks' entry system. I am torn between finding a third party solution or another Zoho product for time entry but I do not want to because keeping it all in one Books system makes it so much easier.

Let me know if you have any questions. I am sure I am not the only person who wants to use Time tracking to its fullest extent but is frustrated by its lack of features. Also, granular controls for user accounts in Books is a must!

Otherwise I am very satisfied with Books. But the above are my two biggest gripes.

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