New in Laurel: Enhanced Timer Functionality Now Available

Release Date: 6th November, 2024

We're excited to introduce our new Timer Experience, designed to enhance flexibility and efficiency in time tracking. Here's an overview of the new features and improvements:

Timer Management

• New dedicated Timer Hub for centralized timer control
• Easy-to-use interface for starting and stopping timers on the current calendar day
• Ability to edit timer details including duration, matter, and description
• Seamless integration with Laurel’s Narrative Type-Ahead and Shortcut features directly from the timer modal
• One-click timer duplication for quick setup of similar tasks
• Option to remove timers when no longer needed
• Compliance alerts to ensure your descriptions pass compliance rules

Timesheet Integration

• Seamless pass-through of timer information to the Timesheet
• All activities created from Timers appear in the Work Activity panel

Customizable Views & Color-Coding

• Toggle between Timer Board (card view) and List View layouts
• Assign custom colors to your timers projects for quick visual identification
• Color synchronization across Laurel for consistency

Enhanced Sorting Options

• Flexible sorting to organize timers based on your preferences
• Sort by timer name, duration, or most recently updated

Deprecations

• The old inline timer functionality on the Timesheet has been removed
• Users are encouraged to transition to the new Timer Hub for all timer-related actions

📘 Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: If I change the color of a timer, will that be reflected throughout the application?
  ​A: Yes, the color change will be updated for all projects where you have assigned the color across the application, though it may take a brief moment to propagate.
• Q: What information is duplicated when I clone a timer?
  ​A: The client initiative and narrative are duplicated. The duration is reset, allowing you to start fresh with the new timer.
• Q: What happens if I delete a timer that has time logged against it?
  ​A: You'll receive a warning that any entries created from this timer will also be deleted, as timers are directly linked to the entries they create.
• Q: Can I start a timer for a past or future date?
  ​A: No, timers are exclusively tied to the current calendar day to ensure real-time capture of work.
• Q: How can I ensure timers for my regular matters are available each day?
  ​A: We recommend starring your active matters. A blank timer will appear each day for your starred matters. Simply unstar matters when you're no longer actively working on them to maintain efficiency.
• Q: Will the current in-line timer functionality still be available after the release of the new timer feature?
  ​A: No, we will be transitioning exclusively to the new timers page for all timer-related functions.
• Q: Can I edit a timer card / list item after I've stopped it?
  ​A: Yes, you can edit the initiative and narrative of the timer, but any updates to the duration will need to be made on the Timesheet view prior to release.
• Q: Is there a limit to how many timers I can have?
  ​A: While there's no strict limit, we recommend managing a reasonable number of timers to maintain accuracy and efficiency in your timekeeping.
• Q: Can I have multiple timers running simultaneously?
  ​A: No, starting a new timer automatically pauses any currently running timer to ensure accurate time tracking.
• Q: How does the new timer feature integrate with Laurel's automatic time capture?
  ​A: Timer activities appear on your Timeline alongside automatically captured activities, helping you identify any gaps in your time tracking.
• Q: Will my timer data sync across devices?
  ​A: Yes, your timer data will sync across all devices where you're logged into Laurel, allowing you to manage your time seamlessly whether you're on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Thank you for your continued support and feedback.

For any questions or support, please contact our help desk at help@laurel.ai