More on iSlips

Last November, Gary McFarlen, a computer consultant in Texas, wrote a comment on iPhone J.D. asking if there were any time tracking apps that synced with Timeslips, a popular Windows product used by many law firms and other companies that bill by the hour.  Back in November of 2009, there were not, but as I posted last week, the new iSlips app is the first to do so.

Since the release of iSlips, Gary and I have been talking via e-mail about various topics including this app.  At $49.99, iSlips is one of the more expensive apps you might purchase for your iPhone, so if you are thinking about buying iSlips I'm sure that you are interested in hearing from someone who has actually used the app.  Because I don't use Timeslips at my law firm, I won't be able to give iSlips a formal review myself, but when Gary told me about his experiences I thought that it would be something that others might like to read.  Gary gave me permission to post his e-mail, so here is one person's first-hand experience with iSlips after the first week of use:

I wanted to give you some feedback about the new iSlips app for use with Timeslips.  I have been testing a copy for over a week now.  As I had related previously, I have previously used a product from iambic named “Timereporter for Timeslips” that ran on the Palm platform.  I have used it for years and it has been a tremendous productivity tool.  I had attempted to locate a similar item for the iPhone with no success.  I had recently entered into discussions with a programming group to develop this type of product [but iSllips] eclipses my own design interests. 

I ran into a couple of hiccups getting it originally installed on my iPhone.  This was due more to my own ignorance than anything else.   The best technique is to buy through the iTunes store and sync it directly into the iPhone.  Once installed on the phone, it is necessary to go to Brain Freeze software’s website and download and apply the iSlips Sync software to your computer.  This need is not readily apparent at purchase.  Fortunately, between Steve’s timely support and my own “Never Say Die” attitude, it was easy to figure out. 

After installing both pieces of the software, configuring the PC portion for my Timeslips database, I was ready for action.  The sync between the iPhone and database takes place wirelessly.  So it is imperative that a WIFI connection is available between the iPhone and the PC.  Once this was enabled, my first sync transferred all of my clients, fee and expense categories into my iPhone.  Fantastic!  I began entering time and expense entries from that point forward and they synchronized into my Timeslips without fail.  All I have to do in Timeslips is edit the entries for content and accuracy. 

A built-in feature allow the iPhone to [calculate] mileage using the built-in GPS.  This is a great tool for expense recapture of that nature. 

On a support note, I reported some anomalies that I observed in the Sync interface on the PC and an amended / corrected version was posted in just a few days. 

So far, I am very pleased with this application.  I will be recommending it to my colleagues and clients.

Thanks to Gary McFarlen for sharing his thoughts on this app.

[UPDATE 5/26/2011:  McFarlen wrote me again to provide some follow up on his use of this app a year later:

The original release was a very well developed product.  Nevertheless, some minor tweaks and improvements have been made over the last year to further enhance the wireless sync activities, etc.  My daily use to capture consulting fees and expenses has been greatly enhanced.  I find I capture my time more accurately and methodically with iSlips.  The automatic updates of my client list, categories, etc. is a huge time saver.  I wirelessly dump my data to Timeslips, perform slight edits and fire off electronic billings to my clients.   As an example of maximized cash flow, I have performed work that was entered in iSlips, sent an electronic bill later in the day, and received a check in the mail the very next day! 

And now for the good news.  iSlips has just been released for the iPad.  I had the pleasure to work with both beta, and the shipping versions.  I would write this in All Caps, but shouting is not cool.  This is a “Must Have” app for any attorney or contractor that bills by the hour and uses the Timeslips billing program.  The original interface for the iPhone has been modified to take advantage of the larger iPad screen.  The availability of the larger iPad onscreen keyboard makes working with the interface a snap.  Yes, I am extremely fired up about this app.  Not only do I get the familiarity of the original version for the iPhone, I now have a much more useful device for its use.  I have shown this app to a number of attorneys and they all want it.   At this point it is only available for the Timeslips platform for $64.99.   I have had very little need to contact the vendor, Brain Freeze Software, for support.  However, every instance has been met with genuine interest and very prompt response.  I could not be happier with this product.

Thanks for the update!]

Click here for iSlips ($49.99): 

 

Comments

[James Bailey]

I also am testing iSlips. The only problem I have encountered is that abbreviations come over to the phone with formatting markup printing out making the abbreviations function useless. Maybe a change in timeslips is necessary ?

[Aric Martin]

I am testing iSlips. The biggest problem that I have run into is that the current version is set to sync the whole client/matters database every time. Thus, given the size of our firm's database, I've never been able to complete a sync. The longest I've let it run so far is 4.5 hours.

I've been in contact with the developer, who responded right away to my concern. He is working on a work around for the issue, and says he plans on issuing a update to attempt to deal with this issue.

However, a warning to those hopeful to have a mobile Timeslips solution: If you have a large number of clients and/or matters in your database, then currently this may not work for you. (I am hopeful, though, the interface and entry modules are very good).

[Steve Stasinos]

Hi James,

Please try uninstalling iSlips Sync from your computer, downloading the latest version of iSlips Sync from our site and install it. This was a defect we discovered with the Timeslips API (Application Programming Interface) and we were able to come up with a solution.

Thanks,

Steve Stasinos
Brain Freeze Software

[Steve Stasinos]

With iSlips version 1.01 the issue with the size of the Timeslips database has been resolved. Also the uploading of clients/matters is now optional allowing for much faster syncing.

Thanks,

Steve Stasinos
Brain Freeze Software