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Computerized time clocks come in many different forms. The
traditional time clock uses a mechanical clock with a stamping mechanism that
punches an employees "Punch IN" and "Punch OUT" time onto
a card.
This first
part of the overall time clock system the time clock itself, is often called the data collection component.
Employee data
collection i.e. "Punch IN" (time in) and "Punch OUT" (time out)
can in fact be accomplished by various
means including the traditional time clocks, time-and-date stamps, guard tour systems
and access control systems.
The next generation of systems use a card that
doesn't need physically stamping with a time. Rather an employee's presence is
registered and stored directly by the time clock system without punching. This type includes proximity, barcode, and magnetic stripe badge
readers. Biometric Time Clocks
Many modern computerized time clock systems are
designed not to use cards of any type. Instead they use biometric recognition
e.g. fingerprints to uniquely identify employees.
There are a variety
of biometric time clock recognition mechanisms
include finger, hand, and even eye readers.
Time Clock Management Systems
The other part of a time clock system is the management computer. This is usually a
Windows PC or
network of PCs used to collect the data from the time clock and
produce payroll and management reports.
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