Accurate time tracking with Unix timestamps
In modern business, every second counts. Effective time management is the key to success, and in CRM systems, this often means tracking how much time each stage of the workflow takes. NetHunt CRM offers a powerful tool for this: the use of Unix timestamps in automation.
This article will help you understand how to set up workflows to record the exact time it takes to perform certain actions and use this data to analyze efficiency of your processes.
What is a Unix timestamp?
Unix time (or Unix epoch time) is a system for tracking time that represents the number of seconds that have passed since 00:00:00 UTC on January 1, 1970 (the so-called “Unix epoch”). It is a simple numerical format that is ideal for automated systems because it is universal and easily processed by computers.
Why use Unix timestamps in NetHunt CRM?
Using Unix timestamps in NetHunt automation allows you to:
Accurately record the time of specific events in your workflow (for example, when a deal moved to a certain stage, when a letter was sent).
Calculate the duration between two different events. For example, how much time passed from the first contact with the client to the closing of the deal, or how long the application waited for processing.
Analyze bottlenecks in your workflow by identifying stages that take too much time.
How to set up automation with Unix timestamps
To use Unix timestamps in your automation, you will need:
A field to store the timestamp: Create a new field in the needed NetHunt CRM folder in the “Number” type. We recommend naming it clearly, for example, “Time of query”, “Time successfully processed”, etc.
Automation settings
Let's consider an example: you want to record the time when a deal moves to the “Query” stage. To do this, we have already created the “Time of query” field.
Go to “Workflows” in the NetHunt CRM menu.
Create a new workflow.
Select a trigger for your workflow. In our example, it will be “Field value changes” and the selection of the “Stage” field.
Set the condition: “Stage” changed to “Query”.
Add the action: “Update record.”
Select the field you created for the timestamp.
Now, every time a deal moves to the “Query” stage, the corresponding timestamp will be automatically recorded in the “Time of query” field.
Next, you can add a helper to wait for the field to be updated.
Set the condition: “Stage” and change to “Successfully processed.”
Add the action: “Update record.”
Select the field you created for the timestamp.
Add “End Workflow” and “Activate.”
As a result, your automation will now record the time when the customer became interested and also when their deal became successful. This will allow you to calculate the speed at which your deals are closed.
Calculating the time between stages
Now we need to calculate how much time it took our client to go from the “Query” stage to “Successfully processed.”
To do this, we need to create a formula field and specify the following value
= (field(“Time of successfully processed”) - field(“Time of query”))/1000
💡 The time stamp macro records information in milliseconds.
Therefore, at the end of the formula, we add:
/1000 - to get the result in seconds in the formula.
/60000 - to get the result in minutes in the formula.
/3600000 - to get the result in hours in the formula.
/86400000 - to get the result in days in the formula.
This is the result we got:
💡 Each action in workflows has a “timestamp” macro. Therefore, you can track not only the speed of your deal's movement through the funnel, but also other important indicators, such as:
Response time to customer requests/inquiries: If you automate sending responses or creating tasks after receiving a new request (for example, via a webform or email), the timestamp will allow you to record the exact moment the request was received and the exact moment the system or manager responded. This will help you evaluate the speed of response to incoming inquiries, which is critical to customer satisfaction.
Marketing campaign effectiveness: If automation is triggered after a customer interacts with specific marketing material (e.g., opening an email, clicking on a link), the timestamp will help you understand how much time passes between this interaction and the next action or conversion. This will allow you to assess how quickly marketing efforts “warm up” leads.
Frequency of repeat purchases or interactions: If you automate sending reminders or offers to regular customers, a timestamp will help you track when the last interaction took place and when the customer made a repeat purchase. This is important for analyzing the customer lifecycle and the effectiveness of loyalty programs.
To do this, you just need to create fields in which this macro will be recorded, and also write the necessary calculation formula for these fields.
Use and further analysis
The collected data on stage durations will allow you to:
Build reports in Looker Studio: Transfer this information to Looker Studio, format it into a standard value, and monitor your customers' stage durations.
Identify inefficient processes: Quickly identify where delays occur by filtering in Nethunt CRM.
Make informed decisions: Use data to optimize your workflow and improve your business's overall productivity!
Haven’t found the answers you’re looking for? Ask our Users' Community.