Automation

Automation allows you to track time automatically without opening the app. When you arrive at a configured location or come near an iBeacon, the timer starts. When you leave, it stops. This hands-free approach ensures you never forget to track time at your regular workplaces.

Overview

Automation Types

Timesheet supports two types of automation:

Type	Description	Best For
Geofence	Virtual boundary around a location	Offices, client sites, any address
iBeacon	Bluetooth beacon proximity	Specific rooms, desks, equipment

How It Works

1. You configure an automation with a location or beacon
2. iOS monitors in the background
3. When you enter the area/range, Timesheet starts a timer
4. When you exit, Timesheet stops the timer
5. Time is logged automatically to your configured project

Use Cases

Scenario	Recommended Type
Office building	Geofence
Client sites	Geofence
Home office	Geofence
Specific desk/room	iBeacon
Equipment usage	iBeacon
Coworking space	Geofence or iBeacon

Requirements

Location Permissions

Automation requires "Always Allow" location permission:

1. Open iOS Settings
2. Find Timesheet
3. Tap Location
4. Select Always

Permission Required

Without "Always Allow" location access, automation cannot detect when you arrive or leave locations while the app is closed. The feature will not work with "While Using" or "Never" permissions.

Battery Considerations

Both automation types are power-efficient:

• Geofencing uses iOS's built-in region monitoring
• iBeacon uses low-energy Bluetooth
• Neither continuously tracks GPS
• Minimal battery impact
• Works even in Low Power Mode

Geofence Automation

Creating a Geofence

1. Open the Automation screen
2. Tap the + button
3. Select Geofence type
4. Choose a project
5. Select a location on the map
6. Set the radius
7. Configure trigger options
8. Tap Save

Geofence Properties

Property	Description
Project	Project to assign time entries
Location	The geographic center point
Radius	Size of the geofence area
Trigger	Entry, Exit, or Both
Enabled	Active/inactive toggle

Selecting a Location

When setting the location:

1. Tap the location field
2. Choose from options:
   • Current Location - Use where you are now
   • Search - Find an address or place
   • Map - Tap to place the marker
3. Fine-tune the position on the map
4. Confirm the location

Precise Placement

Zoom in on the map and position the marker at the entrance or center of your workplace for the most accurate triggers.

Setting the Radius

The radius defines how far from the center point the geofence extends:

Radius	Best For
50-100m	Single building, small office
100-200m	Campus, industrial area
200-500m	Large complex, uncertain parking
500m+	Wide area, inconsistent arrival points

Recommendations:

• Smaller radius = more precise, may miss triggers
• Larger radius = more reliable, may trigger early
• Start larger and reduce if triggering too far away

iBeacon Automation

What is iBeacon?

iBeacon is Apple's Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol. Small beacon devices broadcast a unique identifier that your iPhone can detect when nearby. This enables precise indoor location tracking.

Creating an iBeacon Automation

1. Open the Automation screen
2. Tap the + button
3. Select Beacon type
4. Choose a project
5. Enter the beacon UUID
6. Configure trigger options
7. Tap Save

iBeacon Properties

Property	Description
Project	Project to assign time entries
Beacon UUID	The beacon's unique identifier
Trigger	Entry, Exit, or Both
Enabled	Active/inactive toggle

Finding Your Beacon UUID

Your iBeacon device should come with documentation containing its UUID. The UUID is a standardized format like:

E2C56DB5-DFFB-48D2-B060-D0F5A71096E0

iBeacon Advantages

• More precise than geofencing for indoor use
• Works indoors where GPS signal is weak
• Room-level accuracy when properly configured
• Multiple beacons for different areas

iBeacon Considerations

• Requires purchasing beacon hardware
• Beacon battery needs replacement over time
• Bluetooth must be enabled on your device
• Range varies by beacon and environment

Trigger Options

Trigger Types

Trigger	Description
Entry & Exit	Start on arrival, stop on departure
Entry Only	Start on arrival, manual stop required
Exit Only	Start manually, stop on departure

Choosing the Right Trigger

• Entry & Exit - Most common, fully automatic
• Entry Only - When you need to control when work ends
• Exit Only - When work starts before arriving (remote start)

Managing Automations

Viewing Automations

1. Open the Automation screen
2. See all configured automations
3. Active automations show status indicator
4. Tap any automation to edit

Editing an Automation

1. Tap the automation to open
2. Modify any settings
3. Tap Save to apply changes

Enabling/Disabling

Toggle an automation without deleting it:

1. Open the automation
2. Toggle the Enabled switch
3. Disabled automations won't trigger

When to disable:

• Vacation or time off
• Temporary work from different location
• Testing different configurations

Deleting an Automation

1. Swipe left on the automation in the list
2. Tap Delete
3. Or open the automation and tap Delete

How Detection Works

Geofence Detection

When iOS detects you've entered or exited a geofence:

1. System notifies Timesheet (even if app is closed)
2. Timesheet creates or stops a timer
3. Notification appears (if enabled)
4. Time entry is saved automatically

Detection factors:

Factor	Impact
Signal quality	WiFi and cellular improve accuracy
Device motion	Movement triggers faster detection
Building materials	Some structures block signals
iOS version	Newer versions have improved detection

Detection Timing

iOS geofences don't trigger instantaneously. There may be a delay of several minutes between crossing the boundary and the trigger firing. This is normal iOS behavior to conserve battery.

iBeacon Detection

When your device enters or exits beacon range:

1. iOS detects the beacon's Bluetooth signal
2. System notifies Timesheet
3. Timer starts or stops
4. Notification appears (if enabled)

iBeacon detection is typically faster and more precise than geofencing for indoor use.

Notifications

Automation Notifications

Configure alerts for automation events:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications
2. Enable automation notifications
3. Configure entry and exit alerts

Notification Content

Notifications include:

• Action taken (started/stopped)
• Project name
• Duration (on stop)

Multiple Automations

Different Locations

Create separate automations for each workplace:

• Office automation → Office project
• Client A site → Client A project
• Client B site → Client B project

Each triggers independently when you visit that location.

Shared Automations

Automations can be shared with team members. When shared:

• All team members can use the automation
• Useful for common workplace locations
• Managed by team administrators

Overlapping Geofences

If geofences overlap:

• Entry triggers when entering any overlapping area
• The first automation matched is used
• Consider adjusting radii to prevent overlap

Avoid Overlap

Overlapping geofences can cause unexpected behavior. If you have locations close together, reduce the radius so they don't overlap.

Best Practices

Optimal Geofence Configuration

1. Start with larger radius - Reduce if triggering too far out
2. Position marker precisely - Center of building or entrance
3. Name descriptively - Include location and project
4. Test before relying - Visit location to verify triggers

Optimal iBeacon Configuration

1. Place beacon strategically - Near your primary work area
2. Note the UUID carefully - Typos prevent detection
3. Test range - Walk around to understand coverage
4. Check battery - Replace beacon batteries as needed

Reliability Tips

1. Keep Timesheet updated - New versions improve detection
2. Don't force-quit the app - Background processes need to run
3. Grant all permissions - Location "Always" and notifications
4. Check periodically - Verify entries are being created
5. Enable Bluetooth - Required for iBeacon automation

Common Configurations

Standard Office (Geofence):

• Radius: 100m
• Center: Building entrance
• Trigger: Entry & Exit

Client Site (Geofence):

• Radius: 150m
• Center: Main entrance or parking
• Trigger: Entry & Exit

Home Office (Geofence):

• Radius: 50m
• Center: Your address
• Trigger: Entry & Exit

Specific Desk (iBeacon):

• Beacon placed at/near desk
• Trigger: Entry & Exit

Troubleshooting

Automation Not Triggering

1. Check location permission - Must be "Always"
2. Verify automation is enabled - Toggle is on
3. Check geofence radius - May be too small
4. Test location/beacon - Marker may be misplaced or UUID incorrect
5. Review iOS settings - Background App Refresh enabled
6. Check Bluetooth - Must be on for iBeacon

Triggers at Wrong Time

1. Geofence too large - Reduce radius
2. Marker misplaced - Reposition on map
3. Overlapping automations - Adjust boundaries
4. Living near workplace - Consider smaller radius

Timer Doesn't Stop on Exit

1. Check exit notification - Did it appear?
2. Review iOS location - Signal issues may delay
3. Force manual stop - Then adjust settings
4. Test exit boundary - Walk clearly outside radius/range

Multiple Entries Created

1. Geofence boundary issues - You may be on the edge
2. Increase radius - Prevent edge bouncing
3. Check for overlapping automations - Remove duplicates
4. iOS location fluctuation - Normal in some areas

Edge Bouncing

If your workplace is on the boundary of your geofence, iOS may repeatedly detect entry/exit as your location fluctuates. Increase the radius so you're clearly inside when at work.

iBeacon Not Detected

1. Verify UUID is correct - Check for typos
2. Check beacon battery - May need replacement
3. Ensure Bluetooth is on - Required for detection
4. Test beacon range - May need to be closer
5. Check for interference - Metal objects can block signal

Battery Drain

Automation uses minimal battery, but if you notice issues:

1. Verify you're using geofencing/iBeacon (not continuous GPS)
2. Reduce number of active automations
3. Check other apps using location
4. Update to latest iOS and Timesheet versions