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Kimai is an open-source time-tracking software that helps individuals and businesses track their working hours efficiently. Designed to be simple yet powerful, it provides a flexible solution for freelancers, teams, and organizations that need accurate time management. Kimai operates as a web-based tool, making it accessible from any device with an internet connection.
How Kimai Works
Kimai functions as a time-tracking solution powered by a structured database. Users can accurately log time spent on different tasks, projects, and clients. Whether it’s for invoicing, productivity analysis, or resource management, Kimai provides the necessary features to streamline time management.
1. Installation and Setup
Kimai can be installed on a web server and accessed through a browser. It supports various hosting environments, including shared hosting, virtual private servers (VPS), and on-premises installations. The installation process typically involves setting up a database, configuring user roles, and defining permissions.
2. Tracking Time with Kimai
One of the primary functions of Kimai is time tracking. Users can start and stop timers or manually enter time records for different tasks. The software allows time to be categorized under projects and clients, ensuring structured tracking.
- Live Tracking: Users can start a timer when they begin working on a task and stop it once they are finished.
- Manual Entry: Time can also be recorded manually if a timer was not used during work.
- Multi-user Support: Different team members can track their time simultaneously and assign records to relevant projects.
3. Managing Clients and Projects
Kimai provides a structured approach to organizing work by allowing users to create clients and projects. Each client can have multiple projects, and within projects, specific tasks can be logged. This helps businesses keep track of billable hours and manage workload distribution efficiently.
4. Generating Reports and Invoices
Businesses and freelancers often need to analyze the time spent on different projects and generate invoices accordingly. Kimai offers various reporting and exporting options:
- Timesheet Reports: Summarize time entries for individual users, projects, or clients.
- Invoice Generation: Automatically create invoices based on logged time.
- Export Data: Time records can be exported in formats such as PDF, CSV, and Excel.
5. Extending Kimai with Plugins
Kimai is highly customizable and supports plugin extensions to enhance its functionality. Users can add integrations such as:
- Additional invoice templates
- API integrations for third-party tools
- Theme customizations
This flexibility makes Kimai suitable for a wide range of industries, from consulting to software development.
6. User Roles and Permissions
Kimai allows businesses to assign roles and permissions based on users’ responsibilities. Common roles include:
- Administrators: Have full control over projects, users, and settings.
- Managers: Can oversee team activity and generate reports.
- Employees: Can track their own working hours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Kimai free to use?
Yes, Kimai is an open-source software available for free. Users can modify and extend its functionality as needed.
Does Kimai work offline?
Kimai is a web-based tool, so it requires an internet connection to function. However, users can manually add time entries if they were unable to track time live.
Can Kimai integrate with other applications?
Yes, Kimai supports plugins and API integrations that allow it to work with other tools such as accounting software, project management platforms, and reporting tools.
Is Kimai suitable for freelancers?
Yes, freelancers can use Kimai to track their time, generate invoices, and manage multiple clients efficiently.
Can teams use Kimai collaboratively?
Yes, Kimai supports multi-user environments where teams can track time collectively while maintaining individual records.
What technologies does Kimai use?
Kimai is built using PHP and MySQL/MariaDB, making it compatible with a wide range of server environments.
How secure is Kimai?
Kimai follows standard security practices, including user authentication and role-based access control, to keep data safe.
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