Time clock software varies in price and complexity, with some being free and simple, while others integrate with payroll software. Features and compatibility differ, but all capture employee punches. Smaller programs have fewer features, while larger ones offer time off tracking and other benefits. Clock software can be accessed via a PC or physical clock, with physical variations including punch card systems, biometric devices, and badge readers. Some systems are networked or cloud-based.
There are many types of time clock software, ranging from free and simple open source standalone programs to expensive and complicated programs that integrate with payroll software. A physical clock may or may not be required for software functionality. Some time clock software packages are software as a service (SaaS) or cloud-based, and others reside on a company’s local computer network. Features and compatibility vary greatly from system to system.
The only feature available with all systems is the capture of an employee’s “in” and “out” punches via a computer terminal interface or a physical clock. Punches can be collected using direct entry, weather cards, badges, or biometrics. Basic reporting is usually offered for management, and most time clock software tracks overtime and outages.
Smaller — and typically less expensive — programs generally have fewer features and often don’t integrate with payroll or accounting software. Most of the larger and more robust software programs integrate directly with payroll and accounting programs and offer a number of additional features such as time off tracking (PTO) and other benefits. There is a seemingly infinite number of features and combinations available with every type of watch software.
Different types of clock software offer different interface methods. The most common is a personal computer (PC) input method. This is often associated with a web-based input method. With this method, time and presence information is entered using a computer terminal and opening or accessing the clock program. In many configurations, PC input is available in addition to a physical clock.
Physical variations of the watch that combine with the watch software include punch card systems, biometric devices, and badge readers. The punched card system is the oldest variant and is simply a card that is physically inserted into the clock, which then marks the timestamp of the card. Biometric devices — devices that can securely identify a specific person — come in many shapes and sizes. There are fingerprint readers, handheld readers, and retina readers. Card readers offer two ways to clock in and out: proximity scan and swipe scan.
Another difference in the types of clock software is whether it is networked. This means that some systems only work on a single computer terminal or by a physical clock input method. Other systems are installed on a company’s server and can be accessed from any computer terminal on the network. A cloud-based system is available on any device that has an internet connection.
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