Forum Discussion

Ernie's avatar
Ernie
Contributor 3
2 months ago
Solved

Location timers still not working

Hi everyone.  I have my guys clock in/out when they arrive at the office using the timesheet timer on their mobile apps.  This starts/stops the general timer for the day.  However, we have had trouble with the auto location timers when we arrive at our jobs.  They are not automatically turning on.  The timers worked for about a couple of weeks and now have not worked for 2 months.  We have uninstalled and reinstalled the app and have opened a ticket with Jobber but we still have not gotten it to work. 

Is anyone else using the automated location timers and is it working for you?  Is this a common issue with the auto location timer?  Do I have to default to manual start/stop on each job?   I would prefer the auto timer over the manual location timer to make it simple and  avoid techs not consistently starting the timers on jobs. 

I want to measure the techs efficiency rates on billed vs unbilled hours. My team productivity report isn't accurate because of the timer issue.

Is anyone using the automated location timers and team productivity reports?  What's your experience?  

 

 

  • Ernie's avatar
    Ernie
    22 days ago

    I wanted to circle back to give an update.  It seems like jobber has fixed the auto timer issue.  The timer begins when my techs get to the jobs and ends when they leave the jobs now automatically.  

    Thanks.

11 Replies

  • threerelectric's avatar
    threerelectric
    Contributor 2
    21 days ago

    So I set up a job as SHOP in my system so that it clocks my guys in when they get to work in the morning.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not.  When they leave the shop it stops the time and then clocks them in to the other job when they get to the other job and then clocks them in and out while they are there very sporadically.  Like it will show they are on the job for like 15 sec. 30 secs and so on and then total time like maybe 30 minutes when they were on the job for 8 hours its really weird.

    • threerelectric's avatar
      threerelectric
      Contributor 2
      21 days ago

      On a side note for now I just have my guys do daily written time sheets and I manually enter them in

      • ThatHandymanVan's avatar
        ThatHandymanVan
        Contributor 4
        14 days ago

        I use Force Fleet Tracking for my van so that I can double check all the times that they were onsite at specific times. I have the tech clock in and out of the jobs. Sometimes they forget so having the van tracker for $20/m is awesome. Its like having Life 360 on my fleet. Its a bit wierd (not complex) not get systematized for my evening workflow, but easier that written timesheets for me.

         

  • krista's avatar
    krista
    Jobber Support Team
    2 months ago

    Hi Ernie​ 

    Hi there, this is a really common point of confusion, so you are definitely not alone here.

    The key thing to check is that the general timesheet timer must be running first for the automated location timers to trigger. The location timers do not start a workday on their own, they only switch the timer from general time to job time once a technician arrives at a job site.

    From what you described, it sounds like your team is clocking in at the office, which is exactly how it should work. After that, when they arrive at a job, the app should automatically move them from the general timer to the job timer. If the general timer is not running, the location timer will not kick in.

    I also wanted to share that our team is actively working on stabilizing automated location timers. Improvements are underway, and a future app update will include fixes to make this feature more reliable. In the meantime, making sure everyone is running the latest version of the Jobber mobile app and has the correct location and battery settings enabled will help ensure the best possible experience. This help article covers the main troubleshooting steps for setup.

    The feature is actively used by many teams, and once the general timer and phone settings are dialed in, the automated timers usually work well, and your team productivity report should start lining up much better.

    Hope this helps.

    • ThatHandymanVan's avatar
      ThatHandymanVan
      Contributor 4
      2 months ago

      I agree with Ernie​. The recurring technical issues are a primary reason I am evaluating alternative CRMs. We are experiencing frequent app crashes, persistent login loops, and location tracking failures. Unfortunately, the support team consistently attributes these bugs to our device settings rather than addressing the software’s stability. While competitors like Housecall Pro have their own support limitations, the lack of technical accountability here is making it difficult to maintain operations.

    • Ernie's avatar
      Ernie
      Contributor 3
      2 months ago

      Thanks Krista,

      Yes, I have my team clocking in the general timer when they arrive at the office.  We have verified that everything that needs to be toggled on is on.  I had put a ticket in and just got a response that there is an issue with the location timers for some users and they are working on a solution.

      Thanks again for the response.

      Ernie

  • Ernie's avatar
    Ernie
    Contributor 3
    22 days ago

    I wanted to circle back to give an update.  It seems like jobber has fixed the auto timer issue.  The timer begins when my techs get to the jobs and ends when they leave the jobs now automatically.  

    Thanks.

  • donrt's avatar
    donrt
    Contributor 2
    14 days ago

    I’m having ongoing issues with automatic time tracking, and I need a clear and accurate explanation of how this is supposed to work.

    The first CSR I spoke with told me there was no need to clock in at the start of the day and that automatic time tracking would still function. I specifically asked if I was the only one experiencing issues, and I was told yes.

    Based on that, I proceeded with testing.

    On Saturday, I set up a job and clocked in on one iPad for the day. We also had another tablet (on a different carrier) that was not clocked in.

    Neither device tracked any time.

    also have tried with Iphone 

    • threerelectric's avatar
      threerelectric
      Contributor 2
      14 days ago

      I am trying to figure this out as well.  So I know you have to manually clock it for the general time to work, so that you do not have gaps in between jobs.  I think if you clock in manually the GPS works better I am testing that out now.  But I have noticed the GPS does not always clock my guys in when they get to the job as well.  I am trying to figure how to track "shop time" time when they are loading materials, "general time" time when they are driving to and from jobs, and "job times".  We are an electrical contractor so it is really important to be able to track time and put it where it belongs.

    • krista's avatar
      krista
      Jobber Support Team
      9 days ago

      Hi donrt​,

      Thanks for sharing this, and I’m really sorry for the confusion here. I can see how frustrating that experience would be, especially after being told something different earlier.

      To clarify how this works, location timers will only start tracking automatically if the general timer has already been started on the device. If the general timer isn’t running, the automatic tracking won’t begin, even if you arrive at the job location.

      Based on what you described, that would explain why no time was tracked on either device. Let us know if you continue to have issues; we would be happy to troubleshoot with you. 

      • SpotsCC1's avatar
        SpotsCC1
        Contributor 3
        9 days ago

        Hello, but can you confirm this is true? I am 99 percent sure my location timer turns on when I am not clocked into general time. As the GM, I don't clock my general time in jobber so I never clock in, however, the auto timers work for when I help on job sites. And they automatically turn on.