How Autotask Turns Time into Money

In order to really understand Autotask, you should understand how Autotask converts time into money.

In Autotask, resources track labor as time entries on tickets or tasks. In most cases (the exceptions will be described later), another resource reviews, approves, and posts the time entries. Once posted, time entry information is calculated and the results are added to a customer invoice. It then becomes revenue. Time is converted to money.

But, Autotask serves the needs of hundreds of organizations. Each of those organizations offers it's own version of services and has its own method for valuing those services. To provide the flexibility that users need, Autotask provides multiple options to customize the time to money process. These options make the process more complex. But, once you familiarize yourself with the a basic set of rules for each option, as well as the exceptions, it should become clear how the different options fit into the process. This document provides a single reference source for the multiple options, their rules, and the exceptions that influence how Autotask converts time to money.

The Three Phases of Autotask Time to Money Conversion

You can break the Autotask time to money process into three phases: the time entry; the conversion of that time to money; and the post conversion tasks of invoicing, tracking, and adjusting revenue.

Time Entry

There are two factors, rounding and offsets, that affect the number of hours that a technician records on a ticket time entry . Refer to Factors that Affect Time Entries.

Conversion of Time to Money

This is the most complex part of the process. Three primary factors, contracts, roles, and work types, affect the conversion of time into money. Each of these factors has it's own set of options. It is important to know what the options are and how the three factors interact with each other. Refer to Converting the Time Entries to Money,

Post Conversion Tasks

The actual time to money conversion occurs when time entries are approved and posted. After Approve & Post, invoices must be sent to customers or transferred to an external accounting software. If needed, you can then make adjustments or corrections, and generate reports to track the revenue, profits, and profitability. Refer to What Happens After Conversion? .