Using Time-Clock Badges for Access Control

Benefits of Using Time-Clock Badges for Access Control

Imagine a workplace where tracking employee attendance and managing payroll and HR data is no longer a tedious task.

By integrating your time-clock badges with your access control system, you can enjoy the benefits of access control readers that handle all time-clock functions and maintain comprehensive logs of staff movements.

This means that not only can you better track employee attendance to maintain accountability, but you can also manage payroll and HR data with more ease than had ever been imaginable.

Old Time-Clock Badges and Access Control for Small Businesses

Many of the small businesses we work with want to keep the time-clock badges they already have and use them with new access control readers for dual time-clock management and access control. We've had this request so many times that we’ve developed expertise in the process of migrating old time-clock badge data to newly installed access systems.

Integrating Old Time-Clock Badges with New Access Readers

As long as the time-clock badges you already have use 13.56MHz MIFARE or 125kHz RFID technology, their data can be migrated to new access control systems in just a few steps.

The first step in migrating an old badge is to swipe it on your new access reader. At first, your access control system won’t recognize the data on your old time-clock badge. But once the data has been read, your access system can be programmed to recognize it. And voilà, your old time cards are two-in-one devices for time punching and access control.

Time-Clock Badges and Access Control for Large Businesses and Enterprises

While businesses with fewer than 30 employees can save money by individually programming access readers to recognize old time-clock badges, the process can be overly time-consuming (or completely infeasible) for large businesses and enterprises. 

That’s why, when it comes to security and operational technologies, we recommend using Open API systems, such as those by our security partners at Avigilon and ICT (Integrated Control Technology).

Open API

API stands for Application Programming Interface, and open APIs allow computer programs to communicate with each other using a publicly available interface rather than a brand-limited proprietary interface.

Security installation experts like those on our team at Mammoth Security, are empowered by open API systems to customize and integrate security devices and technologies from different manufacturers. For example, open-source software systems allow time-clock information to be seamlessly exported between time clocks and access control databases.

ICT Protege

Not only do ICT’s Protege access control systems use open-source APIs, but time clock software is also built into their access readers, thereby removing the need to export data entirely.

With ICT’s access control, time-clock punching is automated at selected entry points, and administrators can easily pull time and attendance reports, as well as payroll and HR data, on all employees with ease. ICT’s dual time clock and access control systems can even be programmed to provide proactive notifications for specific incident categories, such as tardy arrivals, absences, and excessive time spent in the wrong work areas.

These automated reports and proactive notifications allow HR personnel to focus more of their attention on other critical responsibilities, such as employee development and company culture.

What’s more, the ICT Protege offers greater transparency for employees by allowing them to access their attendance records and payroll data remotely at any time. This all-around ease of use promotes a positive work environment and fosters trust between employees and employers alike.