A time and attendance system is a great way to see exactly what is going on in your business. Whether you want to see who is in your offices at any given time, or you need staff moving from different jobs, T&A solutions give you those insights.
A time in attendance system usually involves a lot of backend data and information. But there is one physical aspect to the systems that your staff will use on a daily basis. A clocking in machine at your offices is something they will interact with at various points in the working day. They may clock in and out at the start and end of the day or they may clock on and off various jobs throughout the day.
There are so many different ways to clock in and out. From traditional time cards to high tech systems, different approaches will suit different businesses. We’re going to focus on two of the more common technological approaches-fob clocking in machines vs biometric.
Different types of clocking in system
We’re looking at two types of digital clocking in – to see the differences and let you decide which would be the right option for your business.
Biometric Clocking In System
Biometric systems use facial or fingerprint recognition to allow staff to clock in and out. Fingerprint recognition has been around for longer, and we’re seeing facial recognition becoming more popular in businesses.
Biometric recognition, in particular facial, is a very hygienic way for your staff to clock in and out. When we’re trying to reduce the spread of germs, the less your staff have to touch the better. Imagine a scenario when a biometric clocking in system is linked to door entry. When the system recognises a member of staff, the door unlocks. Bonus points if the door then opens automatically!
Another great benefit of a biometric system is its accuracy. When somebody clocks in, they have to use their own fingerprint or face scan, so they can only scan themselves in. It is far harder to manipulate the system and clock another member of staff in, as it is almost impossible to lend your fingerprint or face to someone else.
Fob Clocking In Machines
Using fobs or ID cards is a common way to sign in and out of offices. A quick scan will sign your staff in or out of your building. ID cards and fobs are a good option to quickly get staff set up on your attendance system. If you just want to grant access, and don’t want to know about unique sign-ins.
Fob systems won’t need a personalised setup. These can simply be allocated to staff as and when they’re needed. If you do want a fob or ID card to be unique, this can be set up in the background. It doesn’t need the individual member of staff to set themselves up on the system, unlike biometric solutions.
The biggest disadvantage we’ve found with fob clocking in machines is that they aren’t as accurate as biometric counterparts. It is possible for staff to manipulate the system, and clock in/out a colleague to make it look as though they’ve been at work for longer than they actually have.
Fob vs Biometric: Which is right for you?
There are benefits to using each type of clocking machine in a time and attendance solution. If you decide to go down the biometric route, have a chat with one of ACUTEC’s consultants: to get the right setup for your business.
