How Do I Allow Employees to Witness Time Punches?

TimeForge is a powerful labor management tool and includes a number of features not found in other comparable software programs. For example, TimeForge allows staff members to clock in before their scheduled start time, but can require that employees show up for work within a certain grace period of the scheduled start time.

When an employee is too early to clock in, or too late to clock out, TimeForge will require that a manager become involved to allow the employee to clock in or out. More specifically, in these cases, the staff member must get permission from a manager before clocking in or out. Please note: Most of the clock in and clock out configuration settings can be enabled or disabled with a few clicks within TimeForge.

In some businesses, managers do not want to be interrupted with employees who are showing up early or late, and rely on a buddy system to allow employees to keep track of each other. To keep management from being frustrated by early and late staff members, TimeForge allows employees to work as a witness for each others early clock in and late clock out times.

Navigate to the Attendance Options

navigate-to-the-attendance-options1.png

Locate the Attendance Options tab inside of TimeForge.

Set Up Grace Periods for Staff Members

set-up-grace-periods-for-staff-members.png

Make sure to set up the correct grace periods for staff members who clock in early and clock out late.

Allow Employees to Witness Each Others Clock In and Clock Out

allow-employees-to-witness-each-others-clock-in-and-clock-out.png

Make sure that the Allow other employees to witness an employee clock in option is set to Yes.

Other Staff Members Can Override the Early Clock In

other-staff-members-can-override-the-early-clock-in.png

When a staff member is too early to work, they will receive a pop-up window similar to the above image.

A manager can allow the staff member to clock in, or another employee can provide their own credentials (username and password, or fingerprint) to allow the employee to clock in.

Posted in Attendance Tab / No Comments.

How Can Time Punches Be Limited to a Specific Computer?

There are many benefits to Software As A Service (SaaS software), which is why TimeForge was built from the ground up as a web-based software solution. More specifically, Managers do not have any software to install, nothing to upgrade, and there are no worries about backups or restoring of data. However, one common concern with web based software and time card tracking is ensuring that staff members are physically at work before they are allowed to clock in.

TimeForge is able to accomplish this by limiting time punches (clocking in and out) to a specific IP address. IP addresses are unique identifiers for computers on the Internet, and are normally provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). In many cases, multiple computers in a single office will share a single IP address through the use of a router or firewall device (such as those provided by Cisco, Linksys, D-Link, or Netgear). Similar to a phone number, only physical location at a time can have an IP address. For example, if your IP address is 208.45.167.3, no other computer system in the world will have that IP address.

TimeForge can require that staff members must be at the physical location that corresponds to your IP address before allowing them to clock in or out. This TimeForge lesson covers the specifics of configuring your IP address inside of TimeForge.

In some cases, your ISP will provide a dynamic IP address, which changes every few weeks. Most ISP’s will allow you to get a static, or sticky-static IP address for a nominal monthly fee.

Please note: Additionally, TimeForge can require that employees must clock in and clock out using a fingerprint scanner, which will restrict clocking in and out to a single physical computer at your location.

Navigate to the Attendance Options

navigate-to-the-attendance-options.png

Locate the Attendance Options tab inside of TimeForge.

Add your IP Address to the list of allowed IP Addresses

add-your-ip-address-to-the-list-of-allowed-ip-addresses.png

Within TimeForge, you can specify one or more IP addresses for employees to clock in.

To add an IP address for employees to clock in:
1. You can type your IP address into the text box. IP addresses should be separated by a space, comma, or on separate lines.
2. Instead of typing in the IP address, you can click on the “Add this computer to allowed IPs” link, and TimeForge will add your current IP address to the list of allowed IP addresses.

Make sure to Save your settings.

Employees Will Not Be Allowed To Clock In from Restricted Computers

employees-will-not-be-allowed-to-clock-in-from-restricted-computers.png

Employees that try to clock in to TimeForge from a computer at a different IP address than the IP addresses you have allowed, will receive a warning similar to the above screen shot.

These staff members will not be able to clock in or clock out.

Posted in Attendance Tab / No Comments.

How Do I Exit Time Clock Mode?

TimeForge Attendance makes time & attendance tracking easy for your business. Employees clock-in or clock-out for work similar to what is done with a traditional time clock. However, with TimeForge Attendance, reports are automated, employees can see what’s going on, and payroll is one click away.

In addition to clocking in and out, TimeClock includes Time Clock Mode. With Time Clock Mode, staff members can point and click on their name, allowing them to quickly clock in and out of the TimeForge system.

Choose Your Name from the List of Staff Members

choose-your-name-from-the-list-of-staff-members.png

Choose your name from the list of staff members. Only TimeForge managers are able to exit Time Clock Mode.

Enter Your Password

enter-your-password.png

Enter your password, and then click on Exit TimeClock Mode.

Posted in Attendance Tab/ Time Clock Mode / No Comments.

How Do I Start Time Clock Mode?

Using TimeForge Attendance will make time and attendance management easy at your business. Employees can clock-in or clock-out, in a manner similar to a time clock. In addition to standard clocking in and out, TimeClock includes a Time Clock Mode, a proprietary TimeForge Attendance feature.

With Time Clock Mode, employees can point and click on their name, allowing them to quickly clock in and out of the TimeForge system.

Navigate to the Attendance Tab, and Choose the TimeClock Mode

navigate-to-the-attendance-tab-and-choose-the-timeclock-mode1.png

Click on TimeClock Mode to enter the time clock mode, allowing employees to clock in and out by choosing their name from a list of staff members.

Acknowledge the Warning

acknowledge-the-warning1.png

Only a manager can request that a computer enter TimeClock Mode, and while in TimeClock Mode, that computer cannot access any other part of TimeForge.

Employees Clock In and Out by Choosing Their Name

employees-clock-in-and-out-by-choosing-their-name1.png

Staff members can clock in and out by simply clicking on their name in the list of employees. To reduce buddy punching and employee fraud, you can require that employees enter their password before they successfully clock in or out.

Additionally, in Time Clock Mode, TimeForge can also enforce the labor schedule – making sure that employees clock in and out at the correct time.

Posted in Attendance Tab/ Time Clock Mode / No Comments.

How Do I Register an Employee to Use the Fingerprint Scanner?

TimeForge Attendance allows employees to clock in and out using a fingerprint scanner, which is faster and more secure than a username and password combination.

Before an employee can log in to TimeForge using their fingerprint, a manager must first register their fingerprints inside of TimeForge.

Register Employee Fingerprints

register-employee-fingerprints2.png

Navigate to the Employee List (in the Employees tab), and choose an employee to edit.

Scroll down toward the bottom of the staff member’s account, and you will see a “Register fingerprint data” button. Click on this button to begin registering this employee’s fingerprint.

Place the Employee’s Finger on the Scanner

place-the-employee-s-finger-on-the-scanner2.png

Have the staff member place their finger (usually the middle finger, or ring finger is best) properly on the fingerprint scanner.

The light will flash momentarily, to show a successful fingerprint scan.

Rescan the Staff Finger if Necessary

rescan-the-staff-finger-if-necessary2.png

In the case of a poor scan, you may be prompted to have the employee scan their finger again.

Successful Fingerprint Scan

successful-fingerprint-scan2.png

Once a successful fingerprint scan is complete, the employee’s page will refresh, and you will see a screen similar to the above, indicating success for the fingerprint scan.

Posted in Attendance Tab / No Comments.

How Do I Require Passwords in Time Clock Mode?

Using TimeForge Attendance will make time & attendance tracking easy for your business. Using TimeForge Attendance, employees clock-in or clock-out for work very similar to what is done with a traditional time clock. However, with TimeForge Attendance, reports are automated, employees can see what’s going on, and payroll is one click away.

In addition to clocking in and out, TimeClock includes Time Clock Mode, a proprietary TimeForge Attendance feature.

With Time Clock Mode, employees can point and click on their name, allowing them to quickly clock in and out of the TimeForge system.

In TimeClock Mode, passwords can be required to ensure that staff members are not buddy punching – clocking each other in without actually being at work.

Navigate to the Attendance Options

media-1258312201914.png

Choose the Attendance Options to configure the time and attendance options.

Configure Passwords for TimeClock Mode

media-1258320028021.png

Make sure that employees are required to enter their passwords when in TimeClock Mode.

Posted in Attendance Tab/ Time Clock Mode / No Comments.

How Do I Change the Fingerprint Scan for an Employee?

TimeForge Attendance allows employees to log into TimeForge using a biometric fingerprint scanner. These scanners are both faster and more secure than the standard username and password combination, and using the fingerprint scanner can eliminate buddy punching entirely.

Occasionally, an employee will need to change the fingerprint data that is on record – perhaps due to an accident, skin irritation, or some other reason. Follow these steps to easily change the employee’s fingerprint scan.

Register Employee Fingerprints

register-employee-fingerprints1.png

Navigate to the Employee List (in the Employees tab), and choose an employee to edit.

Scroll down toward the bottom of the staff member’s account, and you will see a “Register fingerprint data” button. Click on this button to begin registering this employee’s fingerprint.

Place the Employee’s Finger on the Scanner

place-the-employee-s-finger-on-the-scanner1.png

Have the staff member place their finger (usually the middle finger, or ring finger is best) properly on the fingerprint scanner.

The light will flash momentarily, to show a successful fingerprint scan.

Rescan the Staff Finger if Necessary

rescan-the-staff-finger-if-necessary1.png

In the case of a poor scan, you may be prompted to have the employee scan their finger again.

Successful Fingerprint Scan

successful-fingerprint-scan1.png

Once a successful fingerprint scan is complete, the employee’s page will refresh, and you will see a screen similar to the above, indicating success for the fingerprint scan.

Posted in Attendance Tab / No Comments.

How Do I Use the TimeForge Fingerprint Scanner?

Using TimeForge Attendance, employees can clock in and out of the software using their username (most commonly an email address) and password.

TimeForge also offers fingerprint scanning as a more secure and faster method for employees to clock in and out.

TimeForge has partnered with M2SYS to provide fingerprint scanning – delivering fast employee identification and eliminating buddy punching while reducing payroll costs.

Setting up the TimeForge Fingerprint Scanner is simple, easy, and pain-free!

Enable the Fingerprint Scanner in the Location Settings

enable-the-fingerprint-scanner-in-the-location-settings.png

Before you can use your fingerprint scanner, you must first tell TimeForge that you will be using the M2SYS fingerprint scanner.

Sign into TimeForge, and go to the Location Settings (under the Setup tab). Change the above setting from “No” to “Yes“.

TimeForge will now show you additional options inside of each employee’s account.

Register Employee Fingerprints

register-employee-fingerprints.png

Navigate to the Employee List (in the Employees tab), and choose an employee to edit.

Scroll down toward the bottom of the staff member’s account, and you will see a “Register fingerprint data” button. Click on this button to begin registering this employee’s fingerprint.

Place the Employee’s Finger on the Scanner

place-the-employee-s-finger-on-the-scanner.png

Have the staff member place their finger (usually the middle finger, or ring finger is best) properly on the fingerprint scanner.

The light will flash momentarily, to show a successful fingerprint scan.

Rescan the Staff Finger if Necessary

rescan-the-staff-finger-if-necessary.png

In the case of a poor scan, you may be prompted to have the employee scan their finger again.

Successful Fingerprint Scan

successful-fingerprint-scan.png

Once a successful fingerprint scan is complete, the employee’s page will refresh, and you will see a screen similar to the above, indicating success for the fingerprint scan.

Require that Staff Members Use the Fingerprint Scanner

require-that-staff-members-use-the-fingerprint-scanner.png

After all employees have had their fingerprints entered into the TimeForge system, you can require that clocking in at your location must take place from a specific IP address (your location’s address), and that staff members must use the Fingerprint scanner when clocking in or out.

Posted in Attendance Tab / No Comments.

TimeForge University: Clock In and Out

Clocking in and out of TimeForge is easy! This video shows you how to clock in and out of TimeForge, to record the time that you were at work (on the clock).

Get the Flash Player to see this movie.

To accurately keep track of the time worked, TimeForge allows employees to clock in and out – recording the time worked, and preparing it in an easy to use format for payroll. Staff members can use our biometric (fingerprint) devices to clock in and out where necessary.

Posted in Videos / No Comments.

How do I clock out using Time Clock Mode?

TimeForge Attendance provides two different and distinct methods for employees to clock out, based on manager preference.

One method, described below, is to use the TimeForge Time Clock Mode, which displays a list of employees (including your name), and you can clock in or out by simply clicking on your name, and entering your password.

This method of clocking in and out is designed for use on shared computer systems.

Locate your name on the list of staff members (sorted alphabetically)

locate-your-name-on-the-list-of-staff-members-sorted-alphabetically1.png

On the list of staff members, click on Clock Out (or click on your name).

Enter your password, or use the Fingerprint Scanner

enter-your-password-or-use-the-fingerprint-scanner1.png

To validate your clock out when using Time Clock Mode, you need to enter your password and/or press your finger on the Fingerprint Scanner.

Enter Tips, Mileage, and Notes when clocking out

enter-tips-mileage-and-notes-when-clocking-out.png

Before finalizing your Time Clock clock out, you may review your current time card. Specifically, TimeForge Attendance displays how long you have been clocked in during this shift, and what your total is for the week. You may also enter any declared tips, mileage calculations, or notes for management.

Choose Clock Out to complete the clock out process.

Posted in Time Clock Mode / No Comments.

Next Page »

heartWhat some of our clients have to say ...

We are one year into it now, well past being enamored with the newness. We are married to TimeForge. It's as essential to us now as any of our management tools today, and we very happy about that.- Steve @ Hermosa Cyclery
We really like the program so far. I know that it is geared towards restaurants, but we are a real estate company and we love it because it is inexpensive and it is so easy to use.- Nicole @ Exit Premier Realty
The Timeforge scheduling system has not only increased our efficiency tremendously; decreased the errors in what is normally an error prone environment; it has also saved us ten times what it costs us each month.- Michael @ Tiara Cafe
I would highly recommend TimeForge to anyone making work schedules. ... What used to take 1-2 hours, now takes 15 minutes. The reports section is comprehensive and useful.- Lawrence Payne @ Mid Pacific Country Club
I've been really pleased with this latest version of TimeForge. I'm really getting familiar with this program and its become a great time saver! Keep up the good work!- Loren @ Fresh Produce
Before using TimeForge, creating a schedule took 2 hours. With TimeForge, it takes less than 10 minutes.- Gail @ Kerr Drug

Quick Contact

3417 73rd Street
Suite G
Lubbock, TX 79423

Phone: 1 866 684 7191
Fax: 1 866 684 7191
E-Mail: info@timeforge.com

 

About TimeForge

The best tools available for managing labor in the restaurant, retail, food-service, and hospitality industries. Includes time management, employee scheduling, and other labor management tools.

© 2010 Labor Management – TimeForge Manual | All Rights Reserved