Overview
The Daily Time Card feature is a streamlined, modernized screen for entering and reviewing your daily time in BQE CORE. It combines timers, time entries, activity search, and allocations in one convenient view, allowing employees to record their work and submit it for approval quickly. While the weekly Time Card is ideal for filling out time for the entire week, Daily Time Card focuses on speed, accuracy, and ease of use for entering daily time.
Daily Time Card also supports weekend visibility, allocation summaries, timer management, quick copying, and smart search using multiple keywords. Unlike the weekly grid, this screen shows a day-level view and lets you submit only the hours recorded for that date. Changes made to existing time entries and timers are automatically saved when navigating between entries or days, helping prevent accidental data loss. Click to watch this video on using Daily Time Card.
Note: You can toggle between the legacy Timers and Daily Time Card options via User Settings for a limited time.
If you plan to use Daily Time Card regularly, it is helpful to familiarize yourself with the icons used to indicate different workflow status, billable status, and locked status (some entries show a locked status because they are being invoiced) in CORE.
| Icon | Status |
Submitted |
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Approved |
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Billed |
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Forwarded |
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Rejected |
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Locked |
How To
Install and Use Desktop Access
Field Descriptions
| Field Name | Field Description |
| Daily Time Card > Search | |
| Search | This unified search allows you to search for clients, projects, phases, sub-phases, and activities using any part of their names. You can enter multiple keywords in any order (e.g., Pasa Pre Dev) and CORE searches each term across all levels. Results combine matching hierarchy and related activities, including Undefined Activity when a phase has no matching activity. This reduces the need to navigate multiple drop-downs and supports fast, flexible lookups. |
| Recent Activities | Lists commonly used project–activity combinations from the last several days. It displays up to five recent days by default, along with total entry counts. Results appear in hierarchical format and are based on your actual time entry history. This helps in quickly returning to work you perform frequently without relying on search text. |
| Allocated to Me | Displays up to five activities or activity groups allocated to you for the selected date. Each entry shows remaining hours, calculated from allocation hours minus hours already logged. You can expand activity groups to view individual activities, review used hours, and select multiple items if allowed. CORE enforces all allocation, assignment, and security permissions. |
| Activity Group (Allocated to Me) | Displays a collection of activities grouped under a phase or project. Activity groups show remaining hours for the entire group. When expanded, individual activities appear with their used hours. You can select activities from within a group as long as security and assignment rules allow. |
| All Activities | Appears when you start typing in the search field. Displays the top results across all clients, projects, phases, and activities based on smart search logic. Supports View All to load full results with progressive scrolling. |
| View All Results | Loads the full list of Recent Activities, Allocated to Me, or All Activities when more matches are available. It returns entries from the last 14 days (Recent), all allocations (Allocated to Me), or every matching hierarchy (All Activities). This option is useful when the top results are not sufficient. |
| Keyboard Shortcut: Search |
The forward slash (/) keyboard shortcut places focus on the Search field when no other input field is active on the Daily Time Card dialog. When focus is in an editable field such as Hours, Memo, Description, Project, Activity, or Classification, the forward slash is entered as a normal character and does not activate the shortcut. When focus is on the Flags field, the shortcut places focus on the Search field. If the Search field already has focus, the forward slash / behaves as a normal character and does not reapply focus logic. |
| Daily Time Card > Start Timer | |
| Start Timer | Starts a new timer without requiring a project or an activity. The timer begins immediately with Undefined Project and Undefined Activity. You can assign project and activity later when editing or finalizing the timer. Multiple timers can run at the same time. |
| Timer (HH:MM:SS) | Displays the elapsed time for the running timer. Multiple timers can run at the same time, unless restricted by security permissions. |
| Finalize | Converts the timer into a time entry. Opens the entry so project, activity, and other details can be completed before saving. |
| Daily Time Card > Create Time Entry | |
| Hours | Displays the number of hours worked for the selected project and activity. CORE validates hours based on minimum time increments, contract rules, and required fields. Updating hours automatically recalculates totals for the day and week. Draft entries become regular time entries after hours are saved. You can also enter time in HH:MM format. When a valid value is entered (where minutes are between 00 and 59) and focus moves away from the field, CORE automatically converts the minutes into the correct fractional hour value. |
| Project | Displays the project or phase associated with the time entry. The list displays only projects you are assigned to or allowed to view, based on project assignment, access management, and security permissions. Project selection determines which activities and billing rules are available for the entry. |
| Activity | Select the task performed for the selected project or phase. The list includes only those activities that you are assigned or allocated to, based on project assignments, activity groups, and access management. When you choose an activity, CORE applies the appropriate billing properties and workflow rules associated with that task. |
| Memo | You can add a memo for the time entry, especially if it is required to do so. CORE pre-fills it with the associated activity memo, if available. CORE also allows you to view pre-defined memos of activity and fee schedule service line items prior to saving an entry. You can format the text using the toolbar, if needed. It also gives you the option to clear any formatting while copy-pasting. |
| Start Time | CORE automatically recalculates the total hours worked based on the start and end times you provide. This ensures that the recorded hours are accurate and up to date without requiring manual adjustments. |
| End Time | When you update this value, CORE automatically recalculates the total number of hours worked based on the new end time. |
| Classification | Job classification or title of a timekeeper brought forward from the Fee Schedules or Employees screen. If the Use rates by classification rule is set at the project level, CORE retrieves the bill rates by job classification as set up in the fee schedule when entering time. However, you can override that here. |
| Date | Displays the date of the time entry. Changing the date moves the entry to that day. |
| Description | You can enter a brief description of the work performed here. |
| Allocations | Displays your allocation details for the selected activity. Allocated is the planned amount, Used is the time logged for the same period, and Remaining is the balance available. This helps prevent over-entry and track progress against scheduled work. |
| Flags |
Identifies how the hours are treated for billing and payroll.
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| Daily Time Card > Workflow > Submit Time | |
| Submit To | You can submit time entries to your manager or a specific person from the list. |
| Resource | This can be an employee or a vendor (contract employee or outside consultant). This option is available only if you choose Submit To: Specific. |
| Note for Reviewer | Allows you to include a note specifically intended for the reviewer. Adding a note is completely optional, allowing you the flexibility to provide additional context or information if you choose to, but it is not mandatory to do so. |
Use Smart Search
You have the ability to use the smart search feature to efficiently locate matching clients, projects, phases, activities, recent entries, or allocated items. This allows you to enter one or more keywords, making it easier and faster to find exactly what you are looking for without having to browse through extensive lists or records manually.
To use smart search, watch this video or follow these steps:
- Open the Daily Time Card screen from the top icon bar.
- Click inside the Search Activity field. When the field is active, CORE displays the search panel below it.
- The Recent Activities section appears first in the list, displaying time entries recorded in the last five days.
- As you type, CORE filters these entries based on your search text, matching any part of the client, project, phase, activity, or description.
- If more than five results are available, click View More to load entries from up to 14 recent days with progressive scrolling. Each result displays the project, phase, and activity used in the original entry. Hovering over a row reveals options to Add Activity or Start Timer.
- Allocated to Me comes next in the list that displays up to five activity allocations assigned to you for the selected date. CORE shows both individual activities and activity groups, along with your remaining hours for each allocation. Activity group rows include a Group tag and a View Activities link. This expands to show all activities within that group, together with the used hours logged for each. Hovering over a row reveals the Add Activity and Start Timer options. If additional matches are available, click View More to see the full list with progressive scrolling. Check Field Descriptions above for details.
- When you choose activities using the checkboxes in Allocated to Me or All Activities, CORE displays an Add Activities button at the bottom of the panel. Clicking this button closes the search panel and adds each selected item to the Time Entries section as a draft entry.
Note: A draft entry contains the selected project, phase, and activity, but it does not include hours, start/stop time, or billing details. As no hours have been saved, the entry remains in draft mode and is available across all dates in Daily Time Card until hours are entered. This lets you prepare multiple entries in advance based on recent work or allocations and complete them whenever you are ready. When you add hours, the draft becomes a regular time entry and is associated with that specific date. If you attempt to leave the screen while draft entries are still unsaved, CORE displays a message reminding you that changes are pending. - The All Activities section appears below the Recent Activities and Allocated to Me section. CORE loads up to five matching activities grouped under their client, project, phase, or sub-phase. These matches follow the same smart search logic as in the case of Recent Activities and Allocated to Me. If more than five results are available, click View More Results to load all activities.
Add and Manage Timers
Timers allow you to track work in real time and convert that tracked duration into a time entry. You can start a timer directly from Search, from an existing time entry, or independently using the timer control. All timers appear at the top of the Daily Time Card panel and remain active until you pause, edit, or convert them into a time entry.
To add a timer, watch this video or follow these steps:
- Open the Daily Time Card screen from the top icon bar.
- Click Start Timer. CORE starts a timer with Undefined Project and Undefined Activity. You can assign the project and activity when you expand the timer.
- You can also start a timer from Search. Click inside the Search Activity field. Begin typing to display the search results. Hover over any row and click the Start Timer icon. CORE starts a timer linked to the selected project, phase, and activity. The new timer appears in the section at the top of the Time Entries list.
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As you work, all active timers remain visible at the top of Daily Time Card. From here, you can pause, resume, or update the timer as needed. Each timer displays:
- A Pause/Resume toggle
- The running duration in HH:MM:SS format
- The assigned project and activity (or Undefined if not yet selected)
- A Finalize button
- Menu (…) containing Reset Timer, Delete Timer, and Timers options
Note: When more than one timer is visible, CORE displays a timer total in the footer of the Timers section. The timer total shows the combined duration of all running and paused timers. The total updates in real time and ticks along with any running timers, providing a quick summary of tracked time without requiring you to expand or review individual timers.
- To update the details of a timer, click Finalize or click on the timer row. The timer expands to show additional fields, including Project, Activity, Description, etc. You can update the fields, collapse the timer, or proceed to finalize it.
- If you need to clear or remove a timer, click the menu (…) and choose Reset Timer or Delete Timer.
CORE displays a confirmation message before completing the action to ensure no tracked time is removed unintentionally. After resetting or deleting a timer, the timers section updates immediately.
Note: You can open the associated project directly from the menu (…) for a timer or time entry. You can select Project Details to open the project’s Overview screen in a new browser tab. This option is available only when a project is assigned. If the timer or entry is associated with an undefined project, Project Details is not displayed. - When the tracked work is complete, click Finalize on the timer. Next, click Create Time Entry to convert the timer into a new time entry with the project, activity, and other details you entered. The timer is removed from the timers section, and the new entry appears in the Time Entries list for the selected date. You can now review the entry, add hours, or continue working with other timers.
Create Time Entries
You can create time entries manually, through the smart Search, or by finalizing a running timer. Each entry records the project, activity, and hours worked for the selected date. Draft entries created through Search remain available across dates until hours are entered.
To create a time entry, watch this video or follow these steps:
- Open the Daily Time Card screen from the top icon bar.
- To create an entry using Search, click inside the Search Activity field.
- Select an option from Recent Activities, Allocated to Me, or All Activities, and hover to reveal the Add Activity button.
- Enter hours and any required details, then click Create Time Entry.
- To create a blank entry instead, click Create Time Entry and fill in the required fields.
- To create an entry from a timer, click Finalize on the timer. Click Create Time Entry to convert the timer into a new time entry with the project, activity, and other details you entered. The timer is removed from the timers section, and the new entry appears in the Time Entries list for the selected date.
Edit Time Entries
You can edit any unlocked time entry to update hours, project, activity, or other details. Submitted, approved, or billing-locked entries can have limited permissions based on your security settings.
To edit a time entry, watch this video or follow these steps:
- Open the Daily Time Card screen from the top icon bar.
- Locate the entry you want to update and click the expand arrow.
- Next, edit fields such as project, activity, hours, description, memo, and flags. If required, adjust Start and End times or update the classification. CORE automatically saves the changes.
Copy Time Entries
Copying allows you to select an existing time entry and create a direct copy of that with the same project, activity, and time entry description. CORE creates a duplicate entry with the new date while keeping the original unchanged.
To copy a time entry, watch this video or follow these steps:
- Open the Daily Time Card screen from the top icon bar.
- In the Time Entries section, open the menu (…) for the entry you want to copy. Select Copy to Date.
- On the Copy Activity to Date dialog, enter or pick the date in the calendar. Click Copy to Date to create the duplicate entry.
- The copied entry appears on the new date and is listed when you navigate to that date in the week navigation panel.
Submit Time Entries
As a part of the workflow, CORE allows you to submit the selected time entries for approval using various options. When time entries are submitted, the supervisor or manager gets notified about these submissions. You cannot submit entries that are already approved. In case of email notifications, CORE allows managers to quickly approve or reject the workflow entries submitted by employees directly from the emails.
To submit a time entry for approval, watch this video or follow these steps:
- Open the Daily Time Card screen from the top icon bar.
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Review all entries in the Time Entries list for the selected day. At the bottom right of the screen, click Submit Time.
- On the Submit Time for Approval dialog, enter the required information. Check Field Descriptions above for details.
- Submit To
- Resource: employee or vendor
- Type: of workflow
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Note for Reviewer
- Click Submit.
You can use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + Enter) to submit time entries.
Navigate Week and Month Views
The Daily Time Card panel allows you to move between weekly and monthly views so you can review and enter time more efficiently. The week navigation panel helps you select specific days, while the Month View provides an overview of all dates, including hours logged and workflow statuses.
To navigate week and month views, watch this video or follow these steps:
- Open the Daily Time Card screen from the top icon bar.
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The week navigation panel displays tiles for each day of the week, including weekends. Click any date tile to load its time entries.
- Above the week navigation panel, click the Calendar icon to switch to the month view. The calendar displays the current month with all weeks in view, showing:
- Date
- Total hours logged
- Workflow status (Submitted, Approved, Rejected, etc.)
- Use the Previous and Next Month arrows to move between months.
- Click any date cell to return to week view with that day selected. The week navigation panel updates the selected week and displays all related entries.
- Click Show Today to highlight the current date in the week view and load its entries automatically.
Install and Use Desktop Access
BQE CORE offers a PWA (Progressive Web App) version of Daily Time Card. This is a desktop option that provides quick access to the Daily Time Card from your computer without opening the CORE web app. You can install it directly from the Daily Time Card screen or User Settings and place the shortcut on your desktop for faster time entry.
To install the desktop access, follow these steps:
- Open the Daily Time Card screen from the top icon bar.
- At the bottom of the screen, click Install App. A system prompt appears asking permission to install the application.
- Click Install when prompted, CORE adds a shortcut to your desktop.
- Double-click the My Time Card icon on your desktop. This opens in a standalone window, showing the same layout you see in your web app.
Updates are applied automatically. When a new version is available, CORE prompts you to refresh or reinstall if needed.