Punch Card Clock
Probably, the most common / outdated method used today, this method requires the employee to place a time card into the machine, which triggers the mechanism that prints the time and date onto the cards. Some models will keep a running total of hours worked during the defined pay period.
Digital Clock
This method uses the same principals as the punch card, however, instead of inserting a cardboard card into a slot, the employee swipes a card with a magnetic strip through the machine or their fingerprint as a biometric attendance recording. Some versions of this method also require the employee to punch in a private code, as an additional security measure.
Employee Self-service
This is growing in popularity because it allows an employee to punch in and out on a personal computer. This method allows the time station computer to be used for other purposes. These programs can download the time information to payroll software programs for easy record-keeping.
Fingerprint Clocks
This method is more advanced within the time clock program, but is very useful when security is an issue.Fingerprint clocks prevent fraud by reading a worker’s individual fingerprint. The employees presses his or her finger against the scanner. If the machine accepts the fingerprint, it will emit an audible sound. This method eliminates the need for punch or key cards and the employees do not have to memorize a code.