Data Collection Devices manage labor costs by reducing data entry mistakes and making sure corporate payroll policies are met at the time the employee punches. In addition, compliance risk is reduced by prohibiting employees to work before or after scheduled times. Workforce productivity is increased because employees are able to retrieve data information directly from the data collection devices.

Here are 3 Time & Attendance Data Collection Device Options:

1. PC Terminal Clock In

PC Terminal Clock In is one efficient option for collecting time & attendance. Because the PC terminal Clock In provides historical time in & out information it reduces manual requests for past time & attendance data. In addition, employees are able to request time off directly through the PC Terminal Clock In which increases productivity. Employees also have the capability to clock in and out at a stand-alone PC or at any designated network PC. This feature also allows employees to capture hours worked, allocate time to a specific department, and view last punch & hours worked. A PC Terminal Clock In is used in conjunction with a Labor Management System to provide a complete and easy to use process for pc based time recording, employee information access and integration with payroll processing.

2. Magnetic Strip Readers

Magnetic strip readers are another solution to meet time & attendance data collection needs. With magnetic strip readers, employees clock in & out using a swipe card. Magnetic strip readers are popular with employees because they are familiar and comfortable with them. However, the disadvantages of using a swipe card are that the card can be demagnetized, similar to a credit card, and also allow for buddy punching. Nevertheless, this device can prevent employees from punching in or out during unauthorized times. Like the PC Terminal Clock In, Magnetic Strip Readers tie into a Labor Management System completely automating the time & attendance process and integration with payroll processing.

3. Biometric Hand Scanner

Another affordable, and in my opinion the best choice, time & attendance data collection option is biometric hand scanners. Employees use their hand as their card with biometric hand scanners. This means no forgetting to bring time cards, creating cards, or managing cards. The biometric hand scanner takes measurements of size & shape of the hand and does not use hand or finger prints. This is a great solution for companies that have minimal supervision, have challenges with buddy punching and time fraud. The main advantage of implementing a biometric hand scanner for time recording is that an employee is unable to punch for another employee. This eliminates any time fraud issues, reducing payroll costs and increasing the company’s bottom line. Like the PC Terminal Clock In and Magnetic Strip Readers, the Biometric Hand Scanner ties into a Labor Management System completely automating the time & attendance system.

This article is intended for informational purposes only. Gatekeeper Business Solutions, Inc., nor Christine Smith, accepts liability for the content of this article, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. For specific wage and labor laws contact the U.S. Department of Labor as well as your State Department of Labor.