Using Webview in Chrome

For many years now Elite has restricted Webview to use with the Internet Explorer browser only.  If you try to use Webview in another browser, you get as far as the login screen.  After that, your login information will not be accepted.

This limitation can be particularly annoying since we tend to use Google Chrome as our Internet browser of choice.  It is usually faster than IE and offers more security.  It also works better with some of the advanced options that we use in our Google Apps for Business.

Using IE can be annoying.  However, I found a shortcut into Webview that seems to work well in Chrome.

The Chrome Browser allows you to install add-ons to perform different functions.  One of those is called IE Tab.  This add-on uses your Internet Explorer engine as a virtual page within Google Chrome.  If you don't understand all that, the good new is you don't have to understand.  Just trust me that it works.  Install the add-on from this link:

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ie-tab/hehijbfgiekmjfkfjpbkbammjbdenadd/related?hl=en-US

Clicking on the "add to chrome" button on this page will download a small executable program.  Run that to install the add-on.

Once installed, you will see an "e" logo on your Chrome toolbar.  When you have a web site open that requires Internet Explorer (e.g. Webview) click on that "e" in the toolbar to run the page in IE mode.  You should be able to open Webview and work as you always have.

I tested it on my computer and everything seems fine.  Different people may have different experiences though.  This is not something the Help Desk is familiar with and may not be able to support if you have trouble.  If it does not work for you, then you may be stuck opening IE the old fashioned way.  I just thought I would pass this along in case some of you found it convenient, and wanted to give it a try.  There are, of course, other sites that may restrict access to Internet Explorer. This trick should work on those sites as well.  You could also use it on a site that simply is not rendering properly in Chrome.

Also, to work properly, you must have Internet Explorer installed on the computer. Using this add-on with a Mac or some other non-Windows device is not going to work.

As always, if you want to enter time and not have the restrictions imposed by Webview, we continue to offer iTimeKeep as a much more flexible time entry method as well.  The iTimeKeep site: http://desktop.itimekeep.com will work with any browser and without any add-ons.  There are also apps available for your iPhone or Android device.  Just log in using your email address and Gmail password.

iTimeKeep v.2 Updates

I received the following message from iTimeKeep.  They are upgrading their Version 2 release with some requested additions.  Below are the details.  If you have auto-updates turned on for your phone or tablet, you should get this updated app automatically.

Thank you all for the wonderful feedback since our Version 2 release. We have been hard at work to continue to meet our customers’ needs. We are excited to announce that we will be releasing an update to both our mobile and desktop applications on Wednesday, December 16th!  What is included in the update? Ability to Submit All While the new version of iTimeKeep gives your attorneys the flexibility to individually submit timecards, we understand that the change in workflow might have slowed down some attorneys that are already used to submitting timecards all at once.For those entries that are created as “drafts,” attorneys will have the ability to submit all of those entries at once. Check out a screenshot of what to expect to see with the update! For additional information, click here. Calendar View We understand that attorneys want the ability to see the whole picture as it relates to their worked hours. So, we have created a new feature within iTimeKeep called the “Calendar View”. The “Calendar View” will allow users to see a complete daily total of all their submitted, draft, and errored time entries. Check out a screenshot of what to expect to see with the update! For additional information, click here. What is included in the update? The current mobile iTimeKeep application will update by an automatic update or having your users manually update the current application. These actions are dependent upon the users’ app settings on their device. In case your users need to manually update the current version of iTimeKeep to gain access to the new feature, here are two documents that will be helpful to pass along. How to update an iOS device How to update an Android device The iTimeKeep desktop application will automatically update without the users taking any action. If you have any questions regarding the update, please contact our Product Manager at product@bellefield.com. Sincerely, The Bellefield Team Copyright © 2015, Bellefield Systems All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are a registered iTimeKeep user. Bellefield Systems 2605 Nicholson Road Suite 202 Sewickley, PA 15143 Add us to your address book

iTimeKeep v.2

Bellefield has recently published a new version of iTimeKeep, which is a great way to enter and manage your time in Elite.

What is iTimeKeep?

For those not using iTimeKeep, it is a time entry system licensed supported by the firm.  I would say it is alternative to Webview, but I actually recommend it over Webview.  Rest assured we will be supporting both methods for the foreseeable future.  I think iTimeKeep is superior in many ways.

For starters, you are not limited to using certain versions of Internet Explorer.  iTimeKeep supports virtually any modern web browser.  There are also free apps for your Android or IOS (iPhone & iPad) devices.

If you have not yet tried iTimeKeep, now is a great time to see if this makes your time entry easier.   You are free to go back and forth between iTimeKeep and Webview.  Using one does not prevent you from using the other.  Your iTimeKeep user name and password should be the same as you use for Gmail.

Another good reason to use iTimeKeep is that, especially for the satellite offices, it works much faster than Webview in most circumstances.

What's New with iTimeKeep v.2?

If you are already an iTimeKeep user, you may have notice some significant changes in the last couple of weeks.

The biggest change for timekeepers is that everything is much more tightly integrated with Elite. Under the old system, iTimeKeep would not let you edit, or even view, time entries made in Webview.  Now, any time entered in any way is visible in iTimeKeep and can be edited.

No more batch submissions: with iTimeKeep v.2, when you enter or edit time, it immediately updates in Elite. You don't need to go through a separate step to submit your time.  There is no longer an need to save entries as drafts, since you can continue to edit your entries even after they have been submitted.

Timers are now synchronized.  If you start a timer on your phone, you will also see it running when you view iTimeKeep on your computer.  You can seamlessly move back and forth between devices as you enter and track your time.

Real time validation of Time Entry.  If you violate a rule for a time entry, such as omitting a task code when mandatory, you will be informed immediately so you can correct the error right away.  This feature will not work until we update the back end, however.  More on that below.

Any abbreviations set up in Elite will also work on iTimeKeep.  Alas this is not true for Shortkeys, which is not available for phones or tablets.  Of course, Shortkeys on your computer will still work if entering time via iTimeKeep on that computer.

You can also track your monthly progress.  iTimeKeep will show you your month-to-date hours so you can track your progress toward monthly targets.

For those so inclined, the new iTimeKeep also support Apple Watch.

Upgrading to v.2

Your browser connection should show you the new v.2 interface already.  If you have an App on your phone or tablet, you will need to update your App.  Many of you may have this set to happen automatically, in which case you should be fine.  If you have updates set to manual, you must update your iTimeKeep App to the latest version.

Once you are upgraded, you will have most of the functionality of the new version.   There are a few features that required the IT Department to make changes to the back end.  We will be making these changes shortly. We want to give everyone time to upgrade their Apps first.  Because while the new App works fine with our existing back end, once we upgrade the back end, the older versions of the Apps will no longer function at all.

Time Entry

Lawyers live and die by the billable hour.  The firm is focused on making sure we capture all the time you spend working for clients.  If you are a timekeeper, this affects your annual review, your compensation, and the firm's overall profitability.  So it is critical not to lose time by forgetting to enter it.

Enter Time Right Away 

It is firm policy that you enter your time contemporaneously.  If possible, you should have a time entry screen open all day so that you can enter time immediately following each task.  Trying to reconstruct your work at the end of a day, week or even month is virtually impossible.  You will inevitably end up not being able to record much of your work.  Further, late entries may result in your time not going out on the right bill, or worse, the case may close and your time cannot be billed at all.

Entering time does not mean writing down notes on a piece of paper.  Time is not really entered until you have entered your time in the system and finalized that time.  Also, the firm requires that all timekeepers enter their own time.  Secretaries or other staff cannot enter time for you, even using your notes.  I strongly recommend entering time directly into the computer rather than writing it down and then having to enter it a second time into the computer.

Be Accurate and Complete

Our clients have exacting standards, regarding time entry.  Many of them insist on seeing the full details for each entry, and will read your descriptions.  Be sure you understand your client rules about specificity, maximum lengths of descriptions, and what tasks the client will or will not pay for.

Even if you cannot bill for time, be sure to enter it.  Clients like to see that you worked on something and then waived the charges for it, even if you are doing so out of an obligation to client rules.  Time spent on unbillable matters should also be entered as this is considered during your annual review.

Time and Billing System

The firm uses Elite Enterprise ver. 3.9 for its time and billing sytem.  Records are stored in a SQL database located in our main office in Philadelphia.  Our system runs across four separate Windows server: the Elite App Server, which runs all the Elite applications; Elite DB, which hosts the database, Elite Web, which runs Webview; and Elite WH which is used for reporting and processing of our bills..  All users, regardless of office, connect directly to the Webview server in Phila when entering time on Webview.

Webview

The primary way to enter time is through Webview.  This is the same basic time entry system that we have used since we started with Elite over 15 years ago.  You can access Webview from our network, either by clicking on the link from the Research Home Page, or going directly to http://10.0.0.213/webview.  Either method requires you to be inside the office or connected via VPN. Enter your name and password, and you can enter time on the calendar.  Originally, Webview ran on any internet browser.  However, Elite decided to limit access to Internet Explorer only, and at least version 6 of IE.  Some newer version of IE require that you operate in "compatibility mode".  If you have trouble getting past the screen where you enter your name and password, it usually means you are using the wrong browser.  

Once you have entered your time, you must finalize it.  It is fine to leave time unfinalized  until you are sure you no longer need to edit an entry, but the time cannot be billed to a client until it is finalized.  The IT Department finalizes time once a week on Mondays. but you should not wait for us to do it for you.

iTimeKeep

A big complaint about Webview is that you are limited to Internet Explorer and that you must be in the firm's network, either by being physically on site, or connected via VPN.  This is not always convenient if you are on the road or doing work at home.  For this reason, the firm has an alternate time entry system known as iTimeKeep.  This program allows you to enter time from any internet browser.  So if you prefer to enter time on Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, you can use this. Even Apple's Safari browser will work.  You also do not need to be in the system.  Any internet connection will work.  Just go to: http://desktop.itimekeep.com and enter  your email address and your password (usually this is the same as your Google password).

Once logged in, click on the + to enter a new time entry, fill out your entry and save.  You can then submit all of your saved time.  Once it is submitted through iTimeKeep, your time will show up in Webview as unfinalized time.  You must still finalize it in Webview.

Also, iTimeKeep is not limited to Windows or even PCs.  You can download the iTimeKeep app to your favorite iPhone, iPad, or Android device and enter time from there as well.  These Apps are free downloads in Apple's App Store or Google Play.  Just download, enter your email and password, and start entering time.  It's that easy!

I have been asked if iTimeKeep will eventually replace Webview completely.  The answer is no.  iTimekeep is a supplement to Webview, which actually does considerably more than allow time entry.  Webview will not be going away.

Timetrax

Some of you may still be using Timetrax for time entry.  This is an older time entry system that we provided years ago.  Elite has not supported Timetrax for many years.  They even claim it will not work on the version of Elite that we use.  Nevertheless, we did get it to work for some people, although we have had more and more problems getting it to install at all.   We are continuing to support it for people who are still using it, but are not installing it on new computers  If you have any serious problems with it, we cannot provide support.  You will need to start using either Webview or iTimeKeep.

Time Entry Tips

When entering time, many users find it convenient to use Shortkeys.  This program, which we install by default on all firm computers, allows you to create a shortcut.  You can use this to enter boilerplate phrases, sentences, or even paragraphs with just a few key strokes.  This is particularly helpful with repetitive time entries where you tend to say the same things over and over, with only a few minor adjustments.  If you need help configuring Shortkeys on your computer, just call the Help Desk.

Although Shortkeys is not available for iPhone or Android, many users find the dictation software on those devices to be useful.  Rather than typing in your descriptions, just click on the microphone and dictate.  It is pretty accurate and much faster.