Data Tracking Modes

Data Tracking Modes

Real-Time Tracking

As of v8.0.1 we have refactored BrowseReporter’s tracking methods for improved data consistency, performance, and integrity. We’ve also introduced new tracking capabilities and improved on our existing ones.

Web Usage Tracking

Before v8.0.1 web usage was captured once the browser tab or window was closed. This led to a delay in the console receiving the data.

With the new refactored tracking you will get minute-by-minute tracking without your end user having to navigate or close their active page.

Application Tracking

Before v8.0.1 application usage was displayed as a summary of how many minutes an app was used in a given hour. With this new release, you can now see what apps are being used minute-by-minute, allowing you to verify the specific times a given app was used.

The previous Session Tracking setting would track the application data and aggregate it to the hourly period it was used within.


Here you can see the changes in action with up to the second usage of applications which show the documents the user has been accessing in Microsoft Word.

⚠️IMPORTANT NOTES

  • Real-time tracking does create many more table entries in your database. This increases the total space usage. It is recommended to use SQL Standard or SQL Enterprise with this setting enabled.

Summary of Real-Time tracking:

  • Improved performance, accuracy, and granularity.
  • Track minute-by-minute activity changes and data is sent to the server in close to real time.
  • Application usage tracks with timestamps whenever a new application is selected.
  • Requires more SQL disk space. Recommended to use SQL Standard or SQL Enterprise.

How to enable Real-Time tracking

  1. Open your CurrentWare Web Console
  2. Go to Settings > BrowseReporter > Tracking Options
  3. Under “Data Tracking Mode” select “Real-Time Tracking (Recommended)”

Session Tracking (Legacy)

Using the session tracking (legacy) option is a less granular option than real-time tracking.

Web Usage Tracking

With session tracking enabled web usage will only be captured once the browser tab or window is closed. This will lead to delays in the console getting the data. It requires the end user to close their browser sessions.

Application Tracking

With session tracking application usage is displayed as a summary of how many minutes an app was used in a given hour. Session Tracking will track the application data and aggregate it to the hourly period it was used within.


Here you can see how the time applications are tracked and bucketed in the hourly bucket that the application was actively used and for how long.
When tracking the applications in Session Tracking the titles of applications are not tracked. 

Summary of Session tracking:

  • Tracks web usage but can see delays in upload to server due to active browser sessions.
  • Application usage is bucketed within the hour it was used. Ex. 3:30 pm would be under 3:00 pm.
  • Uses less SQL disk space due to less granular data capturing.
  • Application titles are not tracked. 

    • Related Articles

    • Average Time

      Averages Times are valuable for providing a more balanced view of your teams’ productivity patterns, allowing comparisons, and allowing you to identify high-performing teams. Averages are displayed in several areas of the BrowseReporter dashboard, as ...

    • How do I Disable Specific Tracking Options

      These options are available to change the behavior of BrowseReporter’s tracking process. Enable URL Tracking Enable Hourly Website Usage: this option will aggregate and separate the data based on the hour it was used. Enable Application Tracking ...

    • What is Idle Time Tracking?

      BrowseReporter can measure how long your users are away from their computers based on their mouse and keyboard movement. In most situations, when there is no movement from a user’s mouse or keyboard for a long period of time, their computer is ...

    • Track computer activities during office hours

      BrowseReporter has a feature called Tracking Scheduler that enables you to schedule specific tracking times. Collecting information at all times may be unnecessary. Therefore, this tool is useful when you want to monitor and track employees’ usage ...

    • How much data does BrowseReporter keep?

      BrowseReporter tracks data from your end user’s Internet, bandwidth and application activities. By default, it keeps the data inside the database indefinitely. Since the CurrentWare database is stored on your network, you can decide how much data to ...