Digital Time Tracking and Automatic Timesheets: Direct Payroll Export

Workers clock in on their phones with geolocation. Overtime, meal allowances, and expenses calculated automatically.

• The problem it solves
• The solution: Combo, Timetastic, or Timely
• Real-world case: Construction SME
• How to implement this solution
• Alternatives and comparison
• Available funding to finance this investment
• Conclusion

The problem it solves

Every day, small businesses and tradespeople lose time and money on tasks that technology can automate. Paper timesheets and manual data entry — with all the errors and potential fraud that come with them — are exactly what this solution is designed to replace. Time spent on these tasks is time not invested in business development, customer relationships, or innovation.

The solution: Combo, Timetastic, or Timely

Combo is one of the most accessible tools in this category. It can be up and running in a matter of hours, requires no advanced technical skills, and the return on investment is visible from the very first month.

How it works

The tool integrates with your existing systems (email, calendar, CRM, accounting software) and automates repetitive tasks. The AI learns from your habits and improves over time. You stay in control of the decisions that matter — the AI handles the rest.

Key benefits

• 24/7 availability: the tool keeps working even when you're out on a job or taking the weekend off
• Zero data entry errors: the system never makes mistakes with numbers or dates
• Scalability: workload can triple with no significant added cost
• Full traceability: everything is logged and instantly retrievable

Real-world case: Construction SME

A 10-person construction company was relying on paper timesheets. The problems: illegible handwriting, rounded-off hours, no real oversight of actual hours worked, and 3 hours per month wasted re-entering data for payroll. With Combo, workers clock in on their phones using geolocation — so you know they're actually on site. Overtime, meal allowances, and travel expenses are calculated automatically. Direct export to PayFit for payroll. Zero re-entry, zero disputes over hours.

How to implement this solution

Step 1: Assessment (1 day)

Step 2: Free trial (1–2 weeks)

Step 3: Rollout (1–2 weeks)

Step 4: Measure your ROI (months 1–3)

Alternatives and comparison

Several solutions exist in this category: Combo, Timetastic, and Timely. The right choice depends on your team size, budget, and existing tech stack. For businesses with fewer than 20 employees, the simplest solution is often the best — team adoption matters more than advanced features.

Available funding to finance this investment

As a French SME, you may be eligible for several support schemes:

• France Num: digital vouchers worth €500 to €6,500 for the digitalization of small and medium-sized businesses
• Crédit Impôt Innovation (CII): reclaim 20% of your innovation expenses
• OPCO: funding for training related to the tool
• BPI France: innovation loans and digital transformation grants

Go further: check out our Digital Transformation for SMEs: The Ultimate 2026 Guide for a complete overview of the topic.

Conclusion

At €3–8 per employee per month and savings of €150–400 per month (for 10 employees), the math is straightforward. This solution is one of those "quick wins" that every small business or independent contractor should prioritize. The risk is virtually zero thanks to free trial periods, and the gains are immediate and measurable.