19 replies
Hey Guys,

I really like the oDesk system for monitoring the tasks and desktops of my freelancers but for certain reasons some of my freelancers can't use it (short of it is I'm sub leasing contractors and their management don't want them using odesk).

Is there a stand alone software or website that just provides this sort of easy tracking without full keylogging , invasion of private emails or marketplace to find work ?

I have been looking about but all employee monitors I have found are very intrusive and I just want a system similar to odesk as this does not build resentment in people working for me.

Really appreciate it if someone could point me in the right direction.

Thanks.
#odesk
  • Profile picture of the author runfast
    I wish I could help you here. But personally I prefer using Guru. It's a lot easier and you have to trust the freelancer's ratings. I looked into using Odesk but it was too complicated. Plus I don't like to micro manage.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tyrus Antas
    Maybe shifting to paying for results will get you better quality work in less time?

    Tyrus
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    • Profile picture of the author GuerrillaIM
      Originally Posted by Tyrus Antas View Post

      Maybe shifting to paying for results will get you better quality work in less time?

      Tyrus
      Unfortunately not an option. This is the system I need to fit in with how I have things running already.

      I find odesk really simple to use, i like the way it has time tracking built into it automatically. Getting freelancers to use my project management software is always an uphill struggle, they never like updating their task lists, odesk is simple and automated.
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  • Profile picture of the author Quang Van
    Are you talking about monitoring their desktops? Check out TeamViewer - Free Remote Access and Remote Desktop Sharing over the Internet the absolute best remote desktop/vnc tool I've ever used (and I tried a bunch)

    Best part is that it works over any network or firewall! (because it uses port 80, so if you can view websites, you can use this thing) Super easy to use, and 100% Free for personal use!
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  • Profile picture of the author GuerrillaIM
    Thanks for the link, that software does indeed look very good. Bit of a hefty price tag though.
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  • Profile picture of the author Anomaly1974
    I am a writer and the very reason I do not use ODesk is because of all of the control that it wants over my system. You start hanging over my shoulder and my work slows down, my system slows down and your work gets delayed. If someone does not trust me to do their writing well, I do not want them to hire me in the first place.

    Granted, I only use the freelance sites to supplement my client lists (as soon as I am established again this will be the case as it was before anyhow) but still, I can not see having to spend all that time supervising when the entire point of outsourcing is to free up your time, not occupy it working as a babysitter.

    I do not mean to be offensive and I hope you do not take it that way, but it seems to me programs like this should not even be needed if some due diligence is taken when hiring freelancers to do your work.

    Just my two cents
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  • Profile picture of the author 1 Marketing
    I guess you are getting work on hourly basis.
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  • Profile picture of the author GuerrillaIM
    I am not looking to use this for writers. It wouldn't make sense as I pay per article and copy writers don't charge an hourly rate. I either have them on retainer or pay by the letter or sales page.

    I can have anywhere from 5-20 freelancers and sub contractors working for me at any one time. Sometimes it gets tough to make sure everyone has a task to work on and is completing their tasks promptly. The result is I end up paying people to sit around surfing the web and it takes me a while to identify slow workers and replace them.

    Odesk is great for my business but I can't use it for everyone so I need some sort of stand alone equivalent.
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    • Profile picture of the author smcdunbiz
      I posted a few jobs on odesk. I like it, it's real simple.
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  • Profile picture of the author krad32
    I also try posting few jobs in Odesk but it don't usually work for me. Now I'm using different kind of employee monitoring software called Time Doctor and it work like Odesk. I think this software might what you need for it has different approaches to employee monitoring like screen monitoring paints a fairly accurate picture of what a person is doing during their work hours. Also a web and application monitoring is faster because you can easily see in one report the time spent browsing non work related web sites (although It should be combined with automatic tracking of breaks so that your team is allocated as on a break when away from the computer, or at least that you can see exactly how much time was spent on and off the computer. Just see signature for tips of how to monitor employee effectively.
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    • Profile picture of the author GuerrillaIM
      Originally Posted by krad32 View Post

      I also try posting few jobs in Odesk but it don't usually work for me. Now I'm using different kind of employee monitoring software called Time Doctor and it work like Odesk. I think this software might what you need for it has different approaches to employee monitoring like screen monitoring paints a fairly accurate picture of what a person is doing during their work hours. Also a web and application monitoring is faster because you can easily see in one report the time spent browsing non work related web sites (although It should be combined with automatic tracking of breaks so that your team is allocated as on a break when away from the computer, or at least that you can see exactly how much time was spent on and off the computer. Just see signature for tips of how to monitor employee effectively.
      Thanks, it looks exactly what I was looking for.

      I dont have an immediate need for it right now as I made this post a long time ago but will definately use it in the future.

      I notice that its in beta stage right now. Are there many bugs?
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      • Profile picture of the author krad32
        Originally Posted by GuerrillaIM View Post

        Thanks, it looks exactly what I was looking for.

        I dont have an immediate need for it right now as I made this post a long time ago but will definately use it in the future.

        I notice that its in beta stage right now. Are there many bugs?
        It's doing fine been using it. It is just adding some improvement from it to work better.
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  • Profile picture of the author onegoodman
    I tried freelancer, and elance. I would recommend freelancer because elance is a little more expensive that it should be lol
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  • Profile picture of the author A P Geofrey
    I am a writer and I am speaking from a writer's point of view here not from an employer or designers stand point. I prefer and would use Odesk any time.

    I don't see any other website that offers the kind of ease that Odesk does. I can't understand when you it is complicated. How is it complicated when all you have to do is hire create an account, create a team and hire a contractor to that team, set a a weekly limit for his job and come each Monday to check his activity level after he has delivered the task for the week. How much easier do you want it to get?
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  • Profile picture of the author Patrick
    I work for Odesk as well but I never do hourly jobs there only fixed price, the reason being that it invades into your privacy.

    Why should I let someone watch my desktop, my girlfriend can message me, I can look into facebook, I can get a sales in some site for which I can get a notification.

    Its the work which matters and not what you are doing on your pc, but I understand that if you are paying for the time, then there should be a watch on it.
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  • Profile picture of the author tristatemedia
    i love odesk, i have spent 3k with them so far. my advise to anyone reading this post:
    do not leave open contracts with applicants......they can go do the work and get paid if there is a mix up in comminication.
    i never pick anyone with less than 5.00 feedback which is the highest.
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  • Profile picture of the author tamim adam
    As an experience O'desk freelancer, I suggest you to hire someone by a clear interview. Never look at his/her feedback score, rating etc. Because, feedback can be make by artificially.

    Never hire using hourly method, always go for fixed price method. No result no payment. But make some upfront payment first (around 10/20%) for encouraging.

    Last, I think still o'desk is the onlyest, exact place for hiring exact people. Really, you can get a dedicated, hardworking who can bring you success.

    Tamim Adam.
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    • Profile picture of the author connorology
      Originally Posted by tamim adam View Post

      As an experience O'desk freelancer, I suggest you to hire someone by a clear interview. Never look at his/her feedback score, rating etc. Because, feedback can be make by artificially.

      Never hire using hourly method, always go for fixed price method. No result no payment. But make some upfront payment first (around 10/20%) for encouraging.

      Last, I think still o'desk is the onlyest, exact place for hiring exact people. Really, you can get a dedicated, hardworking who can bring you success.

      Tamim Adam.
      Wow, you're a strict employer.. I'd go with being monitored, i've had my shares of bad luck on fixed price on odesk..
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      • Profile picture of the author Ezra Carrasquillo
        I find the filter tools on Odesk useful. It permits you to hire virtual assistants by country. This is useful if you know beforehand that you have a fixed budget and a desired project outcome. If you need 10 x 500 word articles written and your budget is $100, you should limit yourself to countries where the hourly rate is known to be low, e.g. Malaysia, India, Keyna.

        Also, I have hired VAs on Odesk for years both by the hour and by offering a fixed rate. Both work well. The key is to communicate clearly what you need, what your expectations are for the final product and what type of communication you expect during the ongoing project. This will enable you to make adjustments along the way, answer questions, ask questions, etc.

        Here's a site I put it together after doing an interview with the CEO of Odesk. It gives tips on hiring / working with VAs. It's mostly for people new to working with VAs, .... still, it has good info: virtualadministrativeassistantinfo.com
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