Many businesses and organizations are trying to move to a paperless payroll system, with time clocks being a large part of that. Whether you are trying to do your part to help the environment, or simply want to cut down on errors that are systematic with punch cards, there are many paperless systems available. At ABC Office, we offer biometric, card swipe and keypad time clock systems. Which system is best for you? I will answer a few questions and provide a few suggestions in this article.

When it comes to paperless time clock and time management systems, there are 3 major types of machines. You first have the card swipe systems, then you have the keypad systems and finally you have the biometric systems. Some modern time clocks incorporate all 3 technologies, either for added security or for versatility. Here is a brief rundown on what the 3 types of paperless time clocks systems do.

Card Swipe Paperless Time Clocks – These time clocks use either a proximity card or an encoded magnetic stripe (like a credit card) for logging in and out of work. This type of time clock often incorporates the ID badge into the system. This method of tracking employee time worked is effective, accurate and relatively safe from fraud. Card swipe systems require no paper and are extremely easy to set up.

EXAMPLE: Pyramid Technologies PTI Time Trax Pro

Digital Keypad Paperless Time Clocks – These types of time clocks have a keypad, usually consisting of numbers, letters or both. The pin number, unique to the employee, is then entered. This is similar to punching in or out with a time card, but is done with numbers instead, making the entire system paperless. These types of time clocks are extremely easy to set up and makes adding or removing employees easy.

EXAMPLE: David-Link DL-858 Digital Keypad & Biometric Time Clock

Biometric Paperless Time Clocks – Biometric time clocks are extremely popular right now. For one, no badge or number needs to be used. This means you don’t need to worry about lost badges or forgotten pin numbers. All your employee needs to bring with them ins their finger, which usually isn’t a problem. These systems are extremely accurate, very easy to use and completely eliminate buddy punching fraud altogether.

EXAMPLE: David-Link W-1288 Biometric Time Clock

Each of these employee time management systems either store information internally, for later exporting to a computer, or are connected directly to a computer for payroll purposes. Most of the data on these systems can be exported to MS Excel, Quickbooks, ADP, PAYCHEX and many other payroll programs.

A fourth, and less common type of time clock, is what’s known as an Internet or Web-based time clock. These types of time clocks store employee information in the cloud and do not require a server or centralized local computer. An authorized person, or an administrator, can log into the cloud service and download or export reports via the internet. These types of systems are usually accompanied by a low monthly fee. uAttend is a great example of an Internet time clock manufacturer. They offer both Ethernet and wireless versions.

EXAMPLES:

• uAttend CB 1000 Ethernet Internet Time Clock
• uAttend CB 2000 Wireless Internet Time Clock

All of the sytems I have described are paperless. There are no paper reports needed and data can be analyzed via a computer monitor. These systems are tamper proof, easy to use and best of all they are affordable. They will save you money not only by eliminating paper, but also by improving accuracy.

Please feel free to call one of our experts at 1-800-658-8788 with any questions regarding paperless time clocks and time attendance systems. You can find our entire selection of employee time clocks here.

Setting up and using an electronic time clock doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. It should be a time saving, money saving and simple process. One time clock that our customers really like is the Amano TCX-11 electronic time clock. So does this time clock meet your needs? Read more here.

Amano has been making affordable time recording and clock systems for several years now. With several models available, they currently have a wide influence in North America, Europe and Asia. Simplicity best describes Amano time clocks. They are quick and easy to set up.

The Amano TCX-11 is what’s known as an electric time clock that utilizes time cards. It physically stamps the date, time and other details onto a card. It is simple to set up, easy to use and can be placed on a desk or be mounted to a wall.

The TCX-11 is both digital and analog, featuring an analog clock dial and a digital display as well. The stamping can be set up to automatically stamp when a card is inserted or manually stamp when a button is pushed. An illuminated print window allows the operator to see exactly how everything is aligned, which in turn keeps stamped information where it is needed.

Accuracy is critical for a time clock. Each minute and second can mean money gained or lost for employer and employee alike. A built-in computer and a quartz clock provide extreme accuracy and efficiency.  It allows for Daylight Savings, leap years, short months and much more.

Security is always a concern with time clocks. You don’t want rogue employees tampering with the clock, costing you money. For this reason, the TCX-11 features a secure key cover lock. This allows only authorized personnel to set up the clock.

The Amano TCX-11 is a fairly energy friendly time clock. In only consumes on average 3W of power, peaking at 12W while stamping. In the event of a power outage, a battery prevents data from being reset.

This particular time clock uses a ribbon cartridge, much like a typewriter. This ribbon advances as data is stamped on a card. Changing the cartridge ribbon is easy and takes just seconds to complete.

In conclusion, the TCX-11 is a great no-nonsense time clock. It may not be the most modern time recorder on the market, but it is time tested, reliable, affordable and it works every time.

You can find the Amano TCX-11 electronic time clock here and our entire selection of time clocks here.

Do you need a reliable time clock for your office, school or organization? One style of time clock you may want to consider using is a model that utilizes biometric technology. Biometric time clocks are accurate, easy to use and cut down on a lot of fraud. One great model I recommend you look at is the David-Link W-988 biometric time clock. This is my review!

David-Link is relatively new to the time clock industry. I personally have a lot of experience with Acroprint, Pyramid Technologies (PTI) and others. Having used David-Link time clocks myself, I have to say that they are up to par with the more “experienced” time clock manufacturers.

The W-988 time clock, from David-Link, is available in three different versions. The first version, which I am reviewing, handles biometric time attendance only. The next step up is the W-988P, which handles biometric time attendance along with a proximity card option. The next model up, the W-988PB, can hand biometric and proximity attendance, which also includes a battery backup. All three models are identical in design and quality.

Many time clock systems are designed for an entry-level amount of employees (often 50-100), requiring that you upgrade the system to add more employees. This is not the case with the David-Link W-988. This biometric time clock can store up to 300 employees, making it ideal for use with small and larger businesses alike.

Many customers ask me if this time clock has to be used with a computer. The answer to that is no. It can be used while connected to a computer via an Ethernet network connection (TCP/IP) or it can be used completely independent. It can also be connected directly to a computer via a USB cable.

If you are using the W-988 independent of a computer system, you can use the included USB storage drive to export the data from the time clock and import it to a computer. The built-in storage on the W-988 can hold up to 60,000 Logs and up to 3,000 fingerprints.

The W-988 includes the David-Link Time Management Software (DLTMS). This software makes it easy to view a variety of different reports and can be used for HR or payroll purposes. This software is very sophisticated and perfect for most business time clock purposes. The DLTMS software can export data in Excel and Text (txt.) formats.

The digital display screen is monochrome, yet very easy to see. It displays the time, date and other important information. The menu system on the W-988 is extremely easy to navigate.

My personal favorite feature on the W-988 is the biometric reader itself. I have used many biometric time clocks, many of which require that you slide your finger. The “finger slide” biometric readers can be very frustrating as they often require multiple attempts to be read correctly.

The W-988 has a finger scanner that only requires you to touch the surface. I have yet to experience a misread with a David-Link biometric scanner. It is very easy to use and the green glow gives it a very modern look, almost like something from a sci-fi movie.

Overall, especially considering the affordable price, I consider the David-Link W-988 to be a great little system. It is easy to use, feature rich and accurate. I really like that it can be used by both small and large businesses alike.

You can find the David-Link W-988 biometric time clock here and our entire selection of time attendance products here.

At ABC Office we sell a wide variety of employee time clocks, designed to keep track of employee time worked for payroll purposes. One popular technology used with many of our time cards is proximity cards. So how exactly does a proximity card work? I’ll explain in this article.

To begin with, you may have noticed that proximity cards are a little thicker than your standard ID badge or credit card. This is because integrated circuitry is embedded and sandwiched between several plastic layers. This circuitry communicates with other devices such as time clocks using a special radio / wireless frequency.

Most proximity cards are powered by using resonant energy transfer in conjunction with a passive chip that is found inside the proximity card itself, although some are powered using small batteries. Non-powered proximity cards typically have a smaller storage capacity than powered cards.

Resonant energy transfer, used in non-powered proximity cards, is very similar to RFID technology and transponder technology found in many modern car keys. This allows the card to operate without have any battery inside. The proximity card reader emits pulses of a wireless radio frequency that the built-in passive chip uses to power the proximity card.

One of the biggest advantages of proximity cards is convenience. They operate by holding the card anywhere from 0-3 inches in front of the card readers. There is no password or special keypad interaction. It is that easy, and for that reason, proximity card are huge for use with building security, time cards and for a variety of business applications.

Proximity cards use special chips that are embedded into the circuit board that contain unique identifying data. This unique identifying data, embedded on the proximity card, can then be tied to a specific person or employee. In the situation of a time clock, the proximity card may contain unique information identifying the employee. When waved in front of a proximity-based time clock, that employee is logged in or out.

Setting up a proximity card is pretty easy. In the instance of an employee time clock, a blank proximity card can be read and then linked with a specific employee. This is typically the case with a building security system as well.

So how do pictures and ID information get placed on a proximity card? This is often done by using a 10-mil CR-79 ID card with an adhesive back. Basically the employee’s picture, company logo, ID number and other information is printed on the CR-79 card using a digital ID card printer. This thin 10-mil card is then stuck onto the surface of the proximity card. You can find our blank CR-79 adhesive cards here.

So there you have it. Proximity cards are extremely handy and utilize some pretty unique technology. You can find our entire selection of time clocks, including proximity time clocks, here.

If you’re running a business, you probably have employees. As is the case with any business, employees need to be paid, which requires the use of a time clock. If you are in the market for an employee time clock, consider using the Acroprint ES700 atomic time recorder. This is my review.

Acroprint is currently one of the largest manufacturers of employee time clocks, recorders and stamps. This includes digital, card punch and biometric time clocks. Acroprint has developed a great reputation over the past decade for producing high quality products.

The ES700 has always been a customer favorite and it has recently undergone some minor changes. The older cream color has been replaced by a more modern gray and black design. Another change is that the Acroprint ES700 is now atomic. This means that the time now synchs automatically (with the National Institute of Standards and Technology), ensuring extremely precise and accurate time. It can also easily handle transitions of daylight savings.

The Acroprint ES700 is what we call a punch-style time clock. This is because it uses punch cards. While this time clock is manually operated, it does implement many modern-day digital features.

Punch cards are easy to read, easy for assimilating data and don’t require any special training to use. The LCD screen is large, clear and easy to read. The power requirements on the ES700 are 120V or 240V and can be adjusted by toggling a switch on the power supply. Overall, the design is very business friendly.

Not only can the ES700 be used for time & attendance tracking, but it can also be used as a text and time stamp. It is very easy to feed documents, forms and other material into this time recorder. It can be used to stamp 13 different preset messages such as RCVD, SENT, IN, OUT, CFMD, FILED, PAID, USED, FAXED, VOID, ORIGIN, APR’D and CMPL’D.

Depending on the time cards you are using, the ES700 can do left or right side printing. The margin is also adjustable for easy positioning of text and numbers. The print font size can also be adjusted.

Security is a pretty big deal with time clocks. Nobody wants the time clock to be tampered with. For this reason, a 4-digit password is required to access the time clock’s settings and adjustments.

The ES700 is definitely an affordable option for most businesses and can be used for small to medium-volume jobs. The build quality on this time recorder is exceptional and far surpasses the typical punch time clock. This is a great option for most small to medium-size businesses.

You can find the Acroprint ES700 atomic time recorder here and our entire selection of time clocks & recorders here.

Are you in the process of shopping around for an employee time clock and need a little advice on a system? While it may not be for everyone, the uAttend CB 1000 Internet time clock is a feature-rich machine that you may want to consider. I have personally used this time clock and this is my review.

If first impressions mean anything to you, you will probably immediately fall in love with the CB 1000. It comes well packaged in a full-color box with English printed on the outside that actually makes sense.

When you open the box, you will find the CB 1000 time clock, wall-mounting hardware, 10 proximity cards, a power adapter and an Ethernet cable. It comes with pretty much everything you need to get started. At the time of writing this article, you get all this for just $99. To date, I’m not aware of another sub $100 time clock that even comes close to this.

The CB 1000 is what’s known as a Web-based time clock. This is because it doesn’t connect directly to a computer, but rather to uAttend’s secure online servers. Once plugged in to an Internet-capable network, the CB 1000 is extremely easy to set up.

The CB 1000 is an attractive time clock. It features plug-n-play setup that literally takes just a few minutes to set up. The quality on this time clock is exceptional.

One thing you will want to be aware of, prior to making a purchase, is that the uAttend CB 1000 is a subscription based time clock. What this means is that in order to use this clock, you will need to pay for the monthly uAttend employee management system subscription service. This subscription, however, is extremely affordable. You can see the price breakdown to the right.

Considering the cost of this high-quality time clock, and the service you receive, it is still a better deal (for years to come) than buying many of the more expensive stand-alone system. uAttend offers a lifetime warranty on the clock and free customer support. They even offer free live chat help when you’re logged into your account.

Employees can punch in and out of work by using a proximity card (10 included), by using the keypad (PIN number) or through a Web browser (if so desired). Viewing employees that are logged in and out is easy for any supervisor or authorized person. Simply log into your uAttend account. Settings, features and reports are very detailed.

Do you have a front entrance, a rear entrance or an off-site work area? You can use multiple CB 1000 units together. The CB1000 can also be upgraded to support an unlimited amount of employees.

Be aware that the CB 1000 requires access to an Ethernet connection. If you don’t have one available, you may want to consider using the wireless CB 2000 time clock.

One thing I really like about the CB 1000 is its ability to export reports and data for use with payroll software and programs. By default it can export reports in Excel .csv and ProcessingPoint file formats. For $5 a month, it can also export data for use with QuickBooks, PayChex, SurePayroll, Payroll 1 and Millenium. The people at uAttend will even create custom exporting for your unique payroll software.

Overall I consider the CB 1000 to be a great deal and extremely convenient. Having dealt with the people at uAttend myself, I can tell you that they are extremely easy to work with.

You can find the uAttend CB 1000 Internet time clock here and our entire selection of employee time clocks here. Do you have a question about this time clock? Call one of our time clock specialists at 1-800-658-8788. Have a great day!

Are you in need of an efficient, affordable and hassle-free time clock that is easy to set up? Many time management systems require being interfaced to a computer or being networked via an Ethernet cable. This sometimes isn’t a possibility. One time clock you may want to consider is the wireless WiFi enabled uAttend CB 2000 employee time clock. This is my review.

One of the biggest complaints I get from people searching for time clocks is that they don’t have the ability to attach it to a computer easily. This is where the CB 2000 finds its mark. The CB 2000 doesn’t need to be attached to a computer, yet data can still be accessed from just about any computer. This is because the uAttend CB 2000 is a Web-based time clock.

The CB 2000 is completely wireless. If features a plug & play WiFi connection that can integrate with most wireless routers. This means if your office has wireless functionality, you can set up and use the CB 2000 terminal just about anywhere.

Employee time is stored via the Internet on uAttend’s secure servers. This makes the data easy to access from any authorized user via a computer’s Web browser.

There are three ways an employee can punch into work using the CB 2000. One way is by using the proximity card sensor. The CB 2000 comes with 10 cards, but more may be purchased. The second way is via the CB 2000’s keypad. The third way, if so desired, is via a Web browser.

The uAttend CB 2000 takes just minutes to set up. Adding and removing employees is extremely simple. The full-color screen makes data easy to read and even allows you to add a company logo. You can even link multiple CB 2000 systems if you need easy access around a larger building.

The CB 2000 by itself is extremely inexpensive. Owners of the CB 200 need to be enrolled in the uAttend employee management system subscription service. The monthly subscription rate is based on how many employees will be using the clock. You can see the rate breakdown on the right.

One of my favorite features is the CB 2000’s ability to export data for use with Payroll software. By default, reports can be exported in ProcessingPoint or Excel .csv formats. Other formats (such as QuickBooks, PayChex, SurePayroll, Payroll 1, and Millenium) are available, but cost $5 a month to use.

While the monthly subscription fee may be a concern for some people, it should be noted that there is no contractual obligation, and because the CB 2000 itself is so inexpensive, the subscription fee is extremely reasonable.

The features the CB 2000 comes with are amazing. The clock has a lifetime warranty and service from uAttend is free. They even offer a live chat when you are logged in to help answer any questions you may have.

Overall I consider the uAttend CB 2000 to be a great wireless time management system. I think their subscription-based model is very reasonable and works well with many businesses.

You can find the CB 2000 (WiFi / Wireless) employee time clock here. You can find our entire selection of employee time clocks here.

Biometric time clocks are quickly becoming a favorite for businesses around the world. This is because biometric time clocks save time, simplify payroll and cut down on fraud. If you are in the market for a system, you should consider using the Acroprint ATRx Secure PunchIn biometric time clock system. This is my review.

Acroprint is almost synonymous with employee, digital and biometric time clocks. This is because Acroprint is a pioneer in the time attendance industry, with most of their products quickly becoming customer favorites. Acroprint products in general are known for their quality, ease-of-use and affordability.

The ATRx Secure PunchIn from Acriprint is a popular system for our customers. The price is affordable and includes both hardware and software. This time clock consists of a fingerprint reader that connects to a computer. Attendance Rx (included) is then loaded onto the computer, which logs entries.

Data stored on the computer can then be used for creating reports and for payroll purposes. Time saved by using the included software is amazing, especially when compared with logging data from traditional “punch” style time clocks.

Installation of the ATRx Secure PunchIn is extremely easy. The fingerprint reader is connected to a computer via a USB 1.0 or 2.0 port. The ATRx Secure PunchIn includes a quick start guide that should have you up and running in a matter of minutes.

Biometric time clocks have many benefits. One of the biggest benefits is the ability these systems have to cut down on time clock fraud. Employees have to be physically present to punch in and out of a biometric time clock system. This pretty much eliminates the most common time clock fraud known as buddy punching.

The base package that comes with the basic ATRx Secure PunchIn system is capable of being used with up to 50 employees. Software upgrades are available that will allow this system to be used with up to 250 employees.

The ATRx Secure PunchIn system is also available in a network-capable system. This system allows multiple fingerprint scanners to be installed around the office for convenience. All this data is synched across the network. This type of system is ideal for larger companies and organizations.

Overall I consider the ATRx Secure Punchin system from Acroprint to be a solid system. Considering it has a one-year warranty and complete reliable support from Acroprint, I would recommend this time management system for just about any business.

You can find the Acroprint ATRx Secure PunchIn biometric time clock system here. You can find our entire selection of employee time clocks here.

If you’re a small business, on a tight budget or want a no-nonsense time clock, you may want to consider using the David-Link DL-800 digital punch time clock. This compact little device has become very popular for several different reasons. This is my review.

David-Link, as a company, has proven itself to be a solid and reliable manufacturer of employee, digital and biometric time clocks. One of David-Link’s biggest advantages is their excellent price to value ration. You truly can get more time clock for your dollar with David-Link machines.

The DL-800 is a prime example of excellent value for your money. Value and price are two of the reasons this particular model is such a hit with our small business customers. This clock is far superior versus handwriting time worked, and makes payroll easier.

The David-Link DL-800 is packed with features. To begin with, the DL-800 is both a digital and a punch time clock. The digital LCD readout is large and the time clock includes a built in computer that helps you track early punches, late punches and streamlines the payroll process. The DL-800 displays the time and date and includes a perpetual calendar.

The DL-800 is a punch time clock because it physically stamps the time onto a time card. This includes an auto to-loading slot that automatically detects cards as they are placed inside. A dual-color ink ribbon (Red / Black) makes it easy to track down late punches, early punches and helps to cut down on payroll errors.

Time clock fraud is cut down with the DL-800 thanks to password protection. Only an authorized “admin” person can make changes to the date and the time. The DL-800 makes it easy to adjust the pay period. This includes daily, monthly, weekly or bi-weekly pay periods.

Not only is the DL-800 accurate and affordable, it also features a high-quality build. It looks great and fits in nicely with existing office décor. The DL-800 is primarily designed for tabletop use.

If you are a small business or are an organization in need of an affordable employee time clock, I highly recommend using the David-Link DL-800.

You can find the David-Link DL-800 digital punch time clock here. You can find our entire selection of employee time clocks here.

If you run, own or manage a business, you probably use a time clock and want your employees to work the hours they’re supposed to. One of the biggest problems many businesses face is time clock cheating and fraud. Here is a list of some of the most common methods used by dishonest employees and ways to combat them.

Combating Time Clock Fraud

• Solution: The best way to combat this problem is to either frequently examine time cards, to install a camera near the time clock or to use a biometric time clock. Biometric time clocks provide one of the best ways to cut down on time clock fraud.

• Solution: The only way this type of time clock fraud can be prevented is by frequently examining the time cards or by using a digital time clock system. Digital time recorders and clocks are much more difficult to manipulate than an analog clock.

• Solution: This type of fraud can be prevented by using a time clock with a secure lock or one that requires admin privileges to set up. A strategically placed security camera will also prevent manipulation and acts as a great deterrent. Keeping the time clock in plain site of others can also act as a deterrent.

• Solution: It is recommended, even if you are a small business, to use some sort of a secure employee time clock. This will at least cut down on errors caused by bad handwriting and will at most cut down on potential fraud.

• Solution: Keeping a computer in plain site or in a secure location will help combat this problem. It is also a good idea to be sure administrator rights are enabled and that time manipulation cannot be conducted without a password. Be sure passwords are unique and difficult to figure out.

Ultimately these practices will not guarantee honest employees, but it will still help cut down on a lot of fraud. You can find secure employee time clocks here.

Please feel free to call us at 1-800-658-8788 with any time clock related questions.