I need a mobile time clock...

StarWarsBoy · 01-10-09, 09:24 PM

I'm looking for a way to clock people in when they arrive at a job site. Obviously, I could have the crew lead just write down the times, but this still requires a manual entry of the employees' hours. Also note that the job site locations are at various places so there aren't computers readily available (and I don't want to use a laptop for this).

My best idea so far is to use an iPhone at each location. Using the "Barcodes" app or something similar, the crew lead could scan each employee ID card as they arrive. I would think there is some way to have this barcode scan equal a clock-in/out time entry. I could then simply transfer this data into the payroll software.

My main problem is that I don't have an iPhone so I'm not sure if this is even possible. I know the phone can scan barcodes, but I'm not sure what can be done with this data. Portable, dedicated barcode scanners are very expensive and quite large.

Does anyone know if this would work or know of any alternatives methods or other smartphones that may be able to do this?

Thank you in advance!

jonw9 · 01-10-09, 11:28 PM

Maybe something like this?

http://www.employeetimeclocks.com/Pr...?productID=361

Numanoid · 01-11-09, 12:28 AM

You should get a hold of this guy, seems like you have a lot in common.

StarWarsBoy · 01-11-09, 01:16 AM

That thread didn't really get me too far! I'm guessing there are people here who could help who don't read MacRumors. Not to mention that there may be other good solutions that are not Mac products.

I'm sure those time clocks in the link above are good, but much more expensive than picking up some iPhones as I would need 3 or 4 for different sites.

StarWarsBoy · 01-11-09, 01:24 AM

Actually, that system mentioned above looks like it could work. Each of the units is $250 so a little more than an iPhone, but it would probably be less work to get the system to work. I'll have to give them a call.

Thanks for the link!

jonw9 · 01-12-09, 11:47 AM

Yay! I helped somebody.

Gotta go and mark this occasion on my calendar!

AGuyNamedMike · 01-12-09, 04:06 PM

Good job, steering someone away from the "iPhone does EVERYTHING, oh wait..." nightmare!

jonw9 · 01-12-09, 08:14 PM

I just figured there had to be something existing that would be better than finagling a cell phone.

OP isn't the first person to have multiple jobsites!

01-10-09, 09:24 PM	#1
StarWarsBoy Member Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 56	I need a mobile time clock... I'm looking for a way to clock people in when they arrive at a job site. Obviously, I could have the crew lead just write down the times, but this still requires a manual entry of the employees' hours. Also note that the job site locations are at various places so there aren't computers readily available (and I don't want to use a laptop for this). My best idea so far is to use an iPhone at each location. Using the "Barcodes" app or something similar, the crew lead could scan each employee ID card as they arrive. I would think there is some way to have this barcode scan equal a clock-in/out time entry. I could then simply transfer this data into the payroll software. My main problem is that I don't have an iPhone so I'm not sure if this is even possible. I know the phone can scan barcodes, but I'm not sure what can be done with this data. Portable, dedicated barcode scanners are very expensive and quite large. Does anyone know if this would work or know of any alternatives methods or other smartphones that may be able to do this? Thank you in advance!

01-10-09, 11:28 PM	#2
jonw9 DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: On the banks of the Red Cedar Posts: 9,001	Re: I need a mobile time clock... Maybe something like this? http://www.employeetimeclocks.com/Pr...?productID=361 __________________ "Damn straight! Today the mad scientist can't get a doomsday device, tomorrow it's the mad grad student! Where will it end?!" - Professor Hubert Farnsworth Counting down to: I buy a premium membership 998 years 11 months 27 days 19 hours 47 minutes 33 seconds

01-11-09, 12:28 AM	#3
Numanoid DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Down in 'The Park' Posts: 21,342	Re: I need a mobile time clock... You should get a hold of this guy, seems like you have a lot in common.

01-11-09, 01:16 AM	#4
StarWarsBoy Member Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 56	Re: I need a mobile time clock... That thread didn't really get me too far! I'm guessing there are people here who could help who don't read MacRumors. Not to mention that there may be other good solutions that are not Mac products. I'm sure those time clocks in the link above are good, but much more expensive than picking up some iPhones as I would need 3 or 4 for different sites.

01-11-09, 01:24 AM	#5
StarWarsBoy Member Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 56	Re: I need a mobile time clock... Actually, that system mentioned above looks like it could work. Each of the units is $250 so a little more than an iPhone, but it would probably be less work to get the system to work. I'll have to give them a call. Thanks for the link! __________________ J "Check your math... I am no rocket scientist, but isn't 20% off of $50 a savings of $20? Sounds good to me!"

01-12-09, 11:47 AM	#6
jonw9 DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: On the banks of the Red Cedar Posts: 9,001	Re: I need a mobile time clock... Yay! I helped somebody. Gotta go and mark this occasion on my calendar! __________________ "Damn straight! Today the mad scientist can't get a doomsday device, tomorrow it's the mad grad student! Where will it end?!" - Professor Hubert Farnsworth Counting down to: I buy a premium membership 998 years 11 months 27 days 19 hours 47 minutes 33 seconds

01-12-09, 04:06 PM	#7
AGuyNamedMike DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska! Posts: 13,161	Re: I need a mobile time clock... Good job, steering someone away from the "iPhone does EVERYTHING, oh wait..." nightmare! __________________ “I'M YOU FROM THE FUTURE! I'VE COME BACK IN TIME TO WARN YOU OF THE DANGERS OF MYSPACE!” - HollaDaddy

01-12-09, 08:14 PM	#8
jonw9 DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: On the banks of the Red Cedar Posts: 9,001	Re: I need a mobile time clock... I just figured there had to be something existing that would be better than finagling a cell phone. OP isn't the first person to have multiple jobsites! __________________ "Damn straight! Today the mad scientist can't get a doomsday device, tomorrow it's the mad grad student! Where will it end?!" - Professor Hubert Farnsworth Counting down to: I buy a premium membership 998 years 11 months 27 days 19 hours 47 minutes 33 seconds