What is a Time Tracking Software?

Time is the primary asset an agency or consulting firm sells. Yet most agencies have a poor understanding of where their time actually goes. Time tracking software closes that gap — giving teams an accurate record of how hours are spent, and giving leaders the data they need to bill accurately, price better, and plan more effectively.

Time Tracking Software: Meaning

Time tracking software is a digital tool that allows users to log time spent on work activities — typically against specific projects, tasks, or clients. The data captured can then be used to generate invoices, analyze team productivity, assess project profitability, and improve future estimates.

At its simplest, time tracking software provides a timer and a log. At its most powerful, it integrates with project management, billing, and reporting systems to give a complete picture of how time translates into business outcomes.

Key Features of Time Tracking Software

• Manual and timer-based logging: Enter time manually or use a running timer to capture hours in real time.
• Project and client attribution: Assign logged time to specific clients, projects, or tasks.
• Billable vs. non-billable categorization: Distinguish time that should be invoiced from internal overhead.
• Approvals: Manager review and sign-off on time entries before billing.
• Reporting: Summaries of hours by team member, project, client, or period.
• Integrations: Sync with invoicing, payroll, or project management platforms.

Why Time Tracking Matters for Agencies

For agencies, time tracking is directly tied to revenue. Underreporting billable hours means leaving money on the table. Overestimating capacity leads to missed deadlines and burned-out teams. Accurate time tracking enables:

• Accurate client invoicing based on hours worked
• Profitability analysis by project and client
• Better scoping and pricing for future engagements
• Team utilization monitoring to balance workloads
• Visibility into which clients or project types are most profitable

Without time tracking data, agency leadership is flying blind on profitability.

How Noloco Supports Time Tracking for Agencies

Noloco's Agency Operating System includes time tracking as a core part of the agency workflow — connected directly to projects, clients, and billing rather than living in a disconnected tool.

Within Noloco, team members can log time against specific projects and tasks stored in Noloco Tables. Managers get real-time dashboards showing utilization and billable hours. And because everything is connected, time data feeds directly into project profitability reporting and client billing.

For agencies that want a fully customized time tracking setup — including custom approval flows, client-specific billing rates, and automated invoice triggers — Noloco's Workflows and no-code builder make it possible without needing a developer.

Learn how Noloco helps agencies track and manage their most valuable resource on the Agency Operating System page.

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