Four Tips for Choosing the Right Time Clock for Your Business

Suppose your company is still utilizing old-fashioned punch cards to monitor staff hours or even manual tracking. In that case, it is time to begin reaping the benefits of digitally collecting attendance data using a modern time clock terminal.

Today’s time clocks are mini-computers that come in various sizes and with a variety of built-in functions, so when it comes to choosing the ideal time clock terminal for your business, you have a plethora of alternatives to consider.

Consider the following factors while searching for the finest time clock for your business.

1. When to Use a Basic Time Clock?

This isn’t a trick question, believe it or not. Of course, a time clock is required to collect employee punches and transmit the data to your back-end systems. But then there’s the matter of what back-end time and attendance software you’ll need to connect your time clocks.

A basic time clock may fit your needs if you simply need to log hours worked for payroll purposes. The time clock is solely utilized to collect data in and time out in this scenario. As a result, a basic terminal with fewer features and functions may be all you want.

2. When to Use an Advanced Time Clock?

If you want your time clock data to interact with scheduling, HR, or ERP systems, a big touchscreen time clock with additional capabilities may be the way to go.

You may utilize this type of time clock as a self-service kiosk with screens as wide as 10 inches and touchscreen navigation, allowing workers to submit vacation requests, update personal information, check their calendar, declare tips, seek time off, or even go through a brief training. They also make it straightforward to obtain employee attestations.

3. Where Will the Time Clock Go?

When considering where you’ll put your time clocks, consider what kind of atmosphere they’ll be in. A factory, construction site, or warehouse does not have the same durability requirements as a temperature-controlled office setting.

Whatever time clock you choose, it must be sturdy enough to endure daily use by your employees, which is why, when choosing a time clock terminal, you should consider how many employees will be clocking in and out. However, when the temperature isn’t regulated, personnel wear work gloves or a battery-powered and ruggedized terminal is required.

4. What Kind of Security Is Required?

Nothing surpasses biometric time clocks for optimum security. A biometric time clock employs a biometric identifier to identify each employee, such as a fingerprint or retinal scan. Employees swiping in for other employees is almost eliminated when using a biometric clock.

However, you must assess the usage of biometric time clocks in your company’s other purposes or requirements. Some union contracts may provide that employees can opt out of utilizing a biometric time clock or even demand that they do so. Municipal or state legislation may govern employers’ ability to collect, keep, and utilize employee biometric data.

Both biometric and punch-in functions are included in a decent biometric clock. It’s also worth remembering that biometric time clocks don’t store photographs of a fingerprint, retina, or other biometric markers.