1. Before the days of the BLE Technology, Beacons were typically referred to Lighthouses, tall structures that guide ships to navigate at sea. The BLE Beacon, however, is no lighthouse. 2. The BLE Beacon is a small device that transmits signals. Designed on purpose to be low powered, and to emit short-range signals at set intervals. Its short transmission range makes it the perfect device for providing location-based information and services, such as marking time attendance.
3. BLE actually stands for Bluetooth Low Energy, it is an enhanced and advanced version of the Classic Bluetooth designed by Nokia back in the days. BLE has come a long way from its predecessor, enabling a greater variety of functions and data exchange capability, including reporting Time Attendance.
4. BLE Beacons are easy to use, and apps such as TimeTec TA has made it so that users only need to Sign in, and with a single tap, you can mark your attendance in the office. It's technology, not magic!
5. Beacon is a widely accessible technology. Because BLE capability is found in most of our mobile devices today, Beacons are able to work on Android and iOS platforms on smartphones and tablets.
6. With BLE, Beacons maintains a very good battery life. Generally lasting from about 18 to 24 months, while some may even last over 5 years. Despite their reliability, Beacons don’t actually work that hard. They let Bluetooth do all the work, and Bluetooth is incredibly energy efficient. Even with a small sized battery, it packs a good punch.
7. Beacons are not just user-friendly, they are respectful. Because Beacon requires users to Opt-in for a successful pairing. It makes a secure, friendly and respectful device for Time Attendance.
8. When BLE Beacons are implemented with TimeTec TA in your office, you can forget punch cards and access cards, all you need is your smartphone to clock in and/or out.
Try your hand at Time Beacon for Attendance using TimeTec TA mobile app and watch this video to know how easy it is to get your attendance data sorted out. Stay tuned for more info about beacon on this blog.
A new version of Ingress Software (v3.0.8.12) release is now available containing a total of 18 new features and 7 bug fixes. 2016 has been a roller coaster ride for many of us and we are hopeful that 2017 will offer us something better. Before we leave 2016 behind, we would take this opportunity to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! VERSION: v3.0.8.12 DATE: 09-12-2016 1. Persian Language is Available!
Persian or Farsi is a language predominantly used in Iran, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and some parts of Iraq. And now Ingress is made available in Persian. If you want your language to be available in Ingress, let us know. Email at info@fingertec.com to request.
2. Elapsed Time for Backup / Restore Database
Waiting without knowing its duration or time range could be frustrating to some. Now Ingress displays elapsed time for backup or restore database so you’ll know the estimated time to complete the process. 3. Configure System Settings without any Activated Terminal
Previously, you must have at least a device connected to Ingress before you could configure System Settings. Not anymore! Now you can configure System Settings even without connecting any device to Ingress.
VERSION: v3.0.8.7 DATE: 01-12-2016 1.Configure Alternate Restdays in Group Duty Roster
You can now configure alternative restdays in Group Duty Roster where any days of the week can be selected as restdays and can be applied on all weeks of the month.
2.Edit Clocking Time in Clocking Schedule Configuration for Flexi Schedule
Previously, Flexi Clocking won’t accept time range definition because clocking times in flexi is supposed to be flexible, that a staff can clock at anytime he/she pleases. Based on the market feedback, some users want more control on the flexibility by applying a certain time range on flexi clocking schedule. For example, a staff is permitted to do flexi clocking between 9-5pm, and if the staff extends the clocking outside of the time range, the company will not accept the flexibility. Based on that requirement, clocking times can now be inserted in Flexi Clocking Schedule in the latest release of Ingress. However, it shouldn’t worry those who do not want to define times in Flexi Clocking Schedule; your way works too. 3.Revamp Import User From File on User Module
The layout of the Import User from File module has been improved where you can directly match more information from the USB File such as Email, Phone, Address, etc. 4.Revamp Database Backup Folder Selection UI
A newly-designed window will be prompted when selecting folder for database backup. This provides easier navigation on the folder path as compared to the previous Window. 5.FingerTec Webster Migration Feature
The latest version of Ingress offers a new database migration option for Webster users. By logging in into Webster database server, users can migrate the database seamlessly into Ingress. 6.Import Attendance Photo from USB in Attendance Module
With this option added into Attendance Module, photos captured during verification can now be imported from USB file into the software. 7.Import Remark/Workcode on Attendance Module
New Remark or Workcode can be imported into Ingress directly from the transactions downloaded into the Data Audit List. 8.Add Current Report Option with Selected Options to Report Scheduler
This feature offers a convenient way to set up report to be used in Report Scheduler. After selecting the desired report type and format, users can directly add it into the report list in Report Scheduler. 9.Enhancement on the Order of Device Assigned to Door
The add devices to door under Doors Module, you can now select devices from the pop up Window. The assigned device will be displayed below the list. 10.Enhancement on Add New Schedule in Attendance Module
There is now a ‘wizard’ to configure the clocking schedule in Attendance Module. By clicking ‘More’ at the bottom left corner when adding a new schedule, users can directly construct a complete clocking schedule with the settings on clocking time, rounding, break, and overtime, just by answering a few questions to match your company’s attendance and clocking policy. 11.Enhancement on Print Multiple Weeks in Weekly Wages Report & Weekly Staff Duty Roster in Report Module
Weekly reports such as Weekly Wages Reports and Weekly Staff Duty Roster can now be printed in a new format where information is arranged in a more orderly manner. 12.Enhanced Export User info Fields at Export User in User Module
The latest Ingress provides more flexibility with more User Info fields to be selected and exported to file in User Module. 13.Display Device Last Connection Status on Devices Module
Devices’ connection statuses can now be seen in Devices Module, whereby Green is connected, Red is disconnected, and Grey indicates Not Applicable (for devices of USB connection) 14.Display Face Template Count on User Module
Other than fingerprint count, face template count is also available in the user overview in User Module.
15. Display remark field on User Module
User could do Remark for employee which can be found under Event Tab in the User Module.
Fixed Errors:
16.Fixed Rounding in Clocking Schedule unable to save
17.Fixed Leave Type will not show when using Open Schedule
18.Fixed Sage UBS payroll not exported on Attendance Module
19.Fixed users not imported on User Module
20.Fixed wrong calculations of Work Hour when using HH.HH format on Report Module
21.Fixed attendance data not exported when not select User ID on Attendance Module
22.Fixed first and last rounding rules displaying incorrect results when generating attendance
Introduction
New users always encounter problem with missing attendance data and transaction data. Fret not! There are steps to troubleshoot these errors. Data enters the Attendance Listing & Attendance Analysis Reports based on the attendance sheet generated in the software. Therefore, in case of any data missing from the reports, the first step to do is to check the data and information in the Attendance sheet.
Benefits
Now, you can troubleshoot the missing data on your own!
Process
First of all, you need to download all the transactions from device by going to the Attendance tab > Download > select device > OK.
The transactions downloaded from the devices into Ingress will be listed in the Data Audit List. You could also check your transaction data from the Attendance tab > Data Audit List. Please make sure to select the correct date range when doing the troubleshooting. Check whether the data is already exist in the data audit list of the software.
If the data did not appear in the Data Audit List, try another possible solution, try download the transaction data using Automatic Download Time. To set the download run time, go to System Settings > System Parameter Setting > Attendance > Specify 2 Daily Download Intervals…> Set the times accordingly > save and let the Ingress server run within the set times.
It is important to check the Issuance Date of the user. The user attendance sheet will not appear if the issuance date is set before the current date.
The Attendance sheet is generated based on the data audit list and the clocking schedule setup. Hence, after you have confirmed that the Data Audit List contains the transaction data of the user, check the Group Duty Roster and the Clocking Schedule settings.
If there are any changes made in the Clocking Schedule or the Group Duty Roster for the user and to make sure that the data enters attendance sheet accordingly, you need to generate the attendance at the Ingress > Attendance > Attendance Sheet > Generate > Select User ID and Date range> Ok.
This tip will come handy when you have your attendance data missing. Give this tip to your technical personnel to practise on. They will catch up in no time at all.
Introduction
Report Scheduler is an automated interface that gives you the option to email your selected reports on a periodic basis. This feature is now available in TCMS V3 and you can set the files to be sent in various formats using Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP).
Benefits
With this feature, the report generation process has been made completely automated because you do not need to login to your account to generate the required reports. On top, instead of having to generate various reports individually, you can setup the Scheduler to generate and email the reports to you or other recipients with just one-click solution.
Process
1) Firstly, you will need to configure your email account at the TCMS V3 > System Settings > Email > Edit > Edit Email Configuration > Save > Test Account Setting.
*Remark : We strongly recommend you to use your own company mail server as SMTP domain rather than using Gmail service provider to avoid server blocking the software from sending the mail on behalf of the account owner.
2) You will get an email similar to the below picture.
3) Go to the report tab > configure the report based on your requirements > click run. Here is one example:
4) TCMS V3 will send two reports for the first time. First report - when you click the run button. Second report – the times that you have configured in the report scheduler settings. TCMS V3 will generate the reports at the report folder before sending the email to you.
Report folder - C:\Program Files (x86)\FingerTec\FingerTec TCMS V3\TCMS V3\reports.
5) Also, you will receive the report in your email account.
Troubleshooting Tips
Report Scheduler is not working as per settings? Follow the steps below to troubleshoot.
a) Main configuration: It’s important to ensure that all services; database, attendance service, etc, are running smoothly. If the Report Scheduler is not working, it’s recommended that you restart all the services again to trigger the scheduler process properly.
Steps:
To restart TCMSv3 service: Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services > restart TCMS v3 Service
b) Once restarted, click Run in the Report Scheduler settings to trigger the scheduling process again.
Please note that the information and images below refer to TimeTec TA software. However, this particular module/ feature is also available in TimeTec Patrol and TimeTec Leave with the same rules and functionality, hence you can also use this as reference for all three abovementioned softwares.
Introduction
TimeTec TA offers Inactive User option to filter users who are no longer valid in your system due to termination, suspension or resignation. It doesn’t mean that you can’t delete users completely from the system. However, there are cautions to be aware of when you delete users.
Benefit
User deletion is easy but the risk is, you will be deleting everything about that particular user at the point of no return. Hence, this feature provides a better option for administrators to manage users in TimeTec TA because not all users left your organization for good. Some perhaps go for sabbatical, unpaid leave and etc. Therefore, if you decide to reactivate these users again, you are able to when the users are in the Inactive User list. Let’s learn how to do it.
Process Moving users to Inactive User list
1) Login to your TimeTec TA account.
2) Go to User > Manage User > Manage User tab > Select your user > Click Edit > Go to General Information section > Click Edit > Click on the Employment Statusdrop down menu.
3) For the Employment Status > select the status for that user > Click Save.
4) Then, go to the Inactive User tab > View all Inactive users in this tab.
In case you want to reactivate the user, do the following steps:
1) For the relevant user > Click on Reactivate.
2) It will prompt a message to confirm user reactivation > Click Submit.
In extreme cases where you are really certain that these users will no longer be required in your organization, Delete them.
1) Go to User > Manage User > Manage User tab > Tick which user ID that you want to delete from the system > Click Manage > Select Delete User > A message will be prompted to alert you of the risk when you delete a user.
2) Once confirmed, click OK to proceed.
Note: Data of deleted users will disappear from the system and it’s irretrievable.
Security settings in TimeTec TA App has been enhanced with the latest
Mock Location detection function. How does it work? It’s simple. When the phone
detects that mock location is enabled, TimeTec TA App will log out automatically.
The only way to keep TimeTec TA App stays open is to not use any mock location
program in the phone.
For example, when
a user has a mock location in his mobile phone, setting a location in New Delhi,
India when the actual user location is somewhere else, he will not be able to
select clocking in TimeTec TA App as an error message will be shown and the system
will automatically logout when the user presses an error message exit button.
This feature is available for Android phone only because for iOS phones,
the system does not support mock location, by default.
This
feature eliminates the possibility of fraudulent employee behavior such as
faking GPS locations. Such program is available out there, tricking Android into thinking that you’re at
a location where you actually aren’t. With the new update
for TimeTec TA App, users will only be allowed to use a real time location, for
more accurate reporting.
TimeTec Group ventured into the revolutionary biometrics technology at the beginning of the new millennium with specialization in workforce time & attendance and office door access system. Having established a strong biometrics brand worldwide via FingerTec, TimeTec Group explores the next big thing in technology; Cloud, IoT and AI. Starting in 2014, the Company has been introducing a variety of cloud solutions for a diverse range of industries around the world. TimeTec is a trusted brand for the workforce management, security, smart office, smart residential and smart township solutions. With a vast knowledge of the industries and expertise in advance technology, TimeTec pledges to deliver solutions that fulfill the demands of tomorrow.
