Punching In and Out with Precision: Using Beacons for Accurate Timekeeping
Our timekeeping solution has the capability of using Beacon technology to offer highly accurate microlocation data for employee time punches. This means employees can punch in and out with confidence, knowing their time is recorded precisely when they're at their designated workstation or area.
What Are Beacons?
Beacons are small, low-power transmitters that use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to broadcast a signal. When an employee's mobile device, with the Findd Engage app installed, comes within range of a Beacon, the app can detect its unique signal. This allows for extremely precise location awareness, far more accurate than traditional GPS, especially indoors (within heavily-walled buildings).
How Does It Work?
Here's a simple breakdown of how Beacon-enabled punching works:
Beacon Placement: Your administrator strategically places Beacons in designated punching areas, like at the entrance of a specific work zone, or near a departmental office.
App Detection: When an employee opens the Findd Engage app on their smartphone or tablet, the app continuously scans for nearby Beacons.
Microlocation Verification: When the app detects a pre-configured Beacon, it verifies that the employee is within the acceptable range of that specific Beacon.
Accurate Punch: The associated job site will then be available for selection so the employee can then punch in or out, and the system records their time along with the precise microlocation provided by the Beacon.
Benefits of Using Beacons for Timekeeping
Enhanced Accuracy: Say goodbye to "buddy punching" or inaccurate GPS readings. Beacons provide highly reliable location data, ensuring employees are where they need to be when they punch. It's especially useful in heavily-walled buildings where a device's GPS may struggle with location accuracy.
Reduced Time Theft: By enforcing precise location requirements, Beacons help prevent employees from clocking in or out when they are not physically at a particular area within the work site.
Improved Compliance: Maintain better records for audits and ensure adherence to labor laws regarding employee work hours and locations.
Simplified Employee Experience: For employees, it's as simple as opening the app and punching. The system handles the location verification seamlessly in the background.
Flexible Deployment: Beacons are small, easy to install, and can be placed in various locations to suit your organization's unique needs.
Getting Started
To begin using Beacons for precise timekeeping, your administrator will need to:
Obtain Beacons: Place an order by reaching out to support@findd.io. Please include the number of Beacons required, a shipping address, and a contact to coordinate shipping. If you're not quite sure if Beacons are a right fit, let's chat!
Configure Beacons in Grandd Central: The beacons come pre-registered and linked to your account with a unique serial number on the back. They include fresh batteries lasting 2–3 years and have a default range of 5 meters. These Bluetooth beacons use the iBeacon protocol and can be set up for a specific job or at the Hierarchy level.
To set up a beacon for a job:
Open the job and click the Location tab.
Toggle on This is a MicroLocation (Beacon).
Enter the Beacon Registration Code from the back of the beacon.
That’s it! The beacon is now tied to the job. Within 5 meters of the beacon, the job will auto-detect when employees punch in. With Enable Location Exceptions toggled on, punches outside the range will generate a location exception.
Note: A beacon can only be assigned to one job at a time. You can reassign it to a different job, but it can’t be linked to multiple jobs simultaneously.
Note: For Android devices, "Nearby Devices" must be allowed in the app permissions.
If you have any questions or require assistance with setting up Beacons, please contact our support team!