With COVID-19 and companies/regions taking precautionary measures by closing and having employees work from home if possible, here are some tips to continue using ExakTime Connect from home and working in general.

Getting Ready

Proper Communication
Let your company know what is going on and the next steps. Proper communication will help reassure employees, colleagues, etc. as areas impose restrictions to lessen the spread of COVID-19.

If employees are to begin working from home, communicate to necessary parties how best to communicate with you and each other. Do things such as reaching out proactively to associates that you speak with consistently, update your voicemail so people calling you will be aware of how best to contact you, provide alternative phone numbers, push for more email communication, etc.

Have your URL and login information ready.
As many web browsers can store your username/email and password for a website, many of us never have to think of their login credentials after creating them and just let the web browser remember everything. Where this can become a problem is when working on a different computer as it may not have your credentials. Note the URL for your account and the username that you need to log in with. If you do not remember your password, you can use the Forgot Password option from the login screen.

To help with this, some web browsers can remember your credentials for certain websites such as Google Chrome as it stores it within your Google account and there are third-party tools such as LastPass that will store your login credentials so no matter what system you are on, you can look up your credentials readily and easily.

Install AccountLinx/SyncLinx
If you are using AccountLinx or SyncLinx at your office, you will need to install it on your computer at home. Depending on the accounting package in use, you may need to have the accounting package installed on the same computer in use with AccountLinx/SyncLinx such as QuickBooks. You can refer to the following article for the link and steps to install AccountLinx/SyncLinx.

Installing/Updating AccountLinx & SyncLinx

Please keep in mind that if you are installing AccountLinx/SyncLinx on a different computer for home use, you may need to update your copy of AccountLinx/SyncLinx at the office. In the event of this, you can use the same link above that you would use to install AccountLinx/SyncLinx to also update it.

Ask for Help
If you are unsure of your ExakTime Connect URL, your AccountLinx/SyncLinx credentials, or need any other help with using the ExakTime Connect system, just ask us for help and we will do what we can.

When At Home

Designated Work Area
While at home, it can be easy to be distracted by things around you such as items you enjoy (i.e. Television, Games, etc.) or errands/chores you need to take care of (i.e. dirty dishes, laundry, clutter, etc.). It can help to establish a work area free of such distractions so you can focus on the work in front of you.

Establish Boundaries
When working from home, you may also have other family members in your area such as children that may demand your attention. It is important to establish boundaries beforehand so you can have a distraction-free and productive work schedule. Just because you can do things because you are at home does not mean you should do everything.

Maintain a Schedule
Try to stick to your normal work schedule and impose restrictions on yourself. While working from home allows you to be flexible when you start and stop working, it is important to keep a healthy work-life balance.  Just because you can work from anywhere and anytime does not necessarily mean you have to work anytime. Respect your own and your colleague's schedules.

Take Breaks
It is important to take breaks as if you were working in your office. While it may not feel as taxing/stressful compared to working in an office, taking a break and stepping away from your workspace helps you stay feeling refreshed.

Communicate
While working from home can help isolate you from others to prevent the spread of COVID-19, that does not mean you have to be alone. While you may not be able to walk up to your colleagues to take a breather and decompress, try to chat with each other to help lessen the burden of isolation.