April 5, 2021

As biometric devices have been gaining popularity in the last decade or so, many businesses in various industries are considering replacing their traditional punching systems with these advanced machines. For the benefit of those organizations who are exploring this option, here we’ve provided the answers to commonly asked questions like “what is a biometric time clock?” and “how does it work?”.

What is a Biometric Time Clock Device?

A biometric time clock is a small technological device that validates employees clocking in for work, with recognition of unique physical characteristics such as, fingerprints, face, or irises. In addition, there are biometric clock devices that use hand geometry to identify employees. 

Another type of biometric device is the passive biometric time clock, which, as the name suggests, uses “passive” validation methods like employee time cards with an attached photo, but it has its limitations in terms of ascertaining the identity of the person using the card. Besides timekeeping and attendance, biometric clocks are also useful for other purposes in that they can provide additional advanced functions like security authentication to control entry to their premises.

Biometric Time and Attendance Systems 

Biometric is superior technology than other options such as RFID or traditional pin code-based clocking systems. Therefore it’s no wonder that biometric devices have gained extensive use in companies across the globe in recent years. They even eliminate the possibility of employee-time theft or buddy punching, which is a significant benefit for companies. Moreover, a biometric time clock system offers an easy, quick, and convenient clocking tool as it preempts the need to enter passcodes or swipe time cards.

How Do Biometric Time Clocks Work?

Biometric time clock systems are equipped with a scanner that scans employees’ unique characteristics like fingerprints, face, hand, or irises and stores the identifier information in a database. They use detailed measurements of the distinctive trait, say fingerprint or hand geometry, to determine the identity of the employee clocking in. Every time an employee clocks in, the biometric device verifies their identity by scanning the pattern in real-time and checking it against the available data records to find a match.

Since a biometric time clock recognizes employees with the help of their inimitable physical traits it’s impossible for employees to punch in on behalf of one another. Hence these devices offer a distinct advantage over other types of systems. However, some states have laws regarding the use of biometric clocks, as there have been concerns about the usage of their unique biometric information. 

Therefore, to avoid legal issues with biometric time clocks, it’d be best to ensure that your business is following the policies laid out by your state. It’s also a good practice to educate your employees on how the information related to their fingerprint, retina, and face scans will be collected, stored, and used.

Lathem’s FaceIN Face Recognition Biometric Time Clock

FaceIN® biometric clocking offers a more hygienic and easy to use solution over conventional fingerprint time clocks, iris scanners and hand reader time clocks. With FaceIN face recognition time clocks, employees simply look into the time clock display and within seconds they are identified and clocked in or clocked out. FaceIN's dual camera system performs a 3-D analysis of the 60 facial points that are unique to each employee, so the FaceIN time clock system completely eliminates employee buddy punching that leads to higher labor costs. Employee facial points are recorded and stored as data algorithms in the time clock. As a result, employee's facial data is collected only as digitally encoded information, so they cannot be reproduced as a photographic image

Lathem’s CloudTouch Biometric Fingerprint Time Clock

Lathem offers CloudTouch Biometric Fingerprint, one of the best biometric time clocks in terms of accuracy, efficiency, and ease of use. It is extremely user-friendly, allowing employees to clock in and out and check their total clocked hours, and perform other permitted functions with a large touchscreen display. Supervisors and administrators on the other hand have access to other timekeeping management and control functions on the CloudTouch time clock and also on Lathem’s PayClock Online employee time and attendance software. It provides a great time tracking versatility as it offers you the option to use employee time clocks, mobile phones, and online time clocks so you can manage employee time and attendance anytime and from anywhere.

We hope we answered all your questions pertaining to what exactly a biometric time clock is and how does it work. Are you ready to opt for an all-in-one time clocking system that also assists with attendance checks, security authentication, payroll processing, and other crucial functions?  To streamline your employee timekeeping and management process work with us!