- SECOM News
- Oct. 19, 2024
What is a Time Attendance Card? Learn About Common Types of Time Cards Today
A time attendance card is one of the modern solutions that help businesses manage employees’ working hours accurately and conveniently. With a simple swipe, the time tracking system records and stores entry and exit data, optimizing the human resource management process. In this article, SECOM introduces some of the most commonly used time cards available today.
What is a Time Attendance Card?
A time attendance card is an intelligent solution that automates the tracking of employees’ working hours. Each card holds unique personal information, allowing the system to recognize and accurately record each individual’s check-in and check-out times. The advantages of a time attendance card lie in its convenience and ability to integrate multiple functions, such as an employee ID card or access card, supporting effective human resource management. Although it doesn’t offer the high security of fingerprint-based systems, it remains popular due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
What is the Structure of a Time Attendance Card?
A time attendance card is a vital tool in modern HR management systems, designed as a compact plastic card but integrated with advanced technology. Depending on the technology used, the card structure varies, as detailed below:
- For RFID Cards
- Antenna: An essential component that helps the card communicate wirelessly with the reader, transmitting data via radio waves.
- RFID Chip: The core of the card, storing the unique identification code and other necessary information.
- Substrate and Outer Shell: Usually made of durable PVC plastic, protecting the internal components and providing a high-quality appearance.
- For Magnetic Stripe Cards:
- Magnetic Stripe: Stores information in encoded form, read by swiping through a magnetic reader.
- Plastic Card: Serves as the base to hold the magnetic stripe, typically sized like a standard bank card.
Despite the technological differences, both types of time attendance cards aim to store and transmit employee information, facilitating automatic and efficient time tracking.
Technical Specifications of Time Attendance Cards
Below are the detailed technical specifications of the various time attendance cards currently available:
- Operating Frequency: Cards operate at 125 KHz.
- Reading Range: Cards can be read by a reader from a distance of 2 to 12 cm.
- Reading Speed: It takes only 1 to 2 milliseconds to read data from the card.
- Heat Resistance: Cards can function stably in environments with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 85°C.
- Size: Cards are standard-sized with a length of 85.7 mm, a width of 54 mm, and a thickness of 0.76 mm.
- Customization: Information can be printed on the card using specialized printers.
Key Benefits of Time Attendance Cards
Swipe card time tracking machines are increasingly popular among businesses due to their ability to improve HR management efficiency. This technology not only automates the time tracking process but also brings several benefits to both businesses and employees.
- Optimizes Time and Accuracy: Instead of manual recording, a quick card swipe automatically logs entry/exit times, ensuring accuracy and eliminating errors. The unique data on each card also prevents fraud, ensuring transparency in payroll calculation and minimizing disputes.
- Easy Monitoring Through Software: Connecting the card to time tracking software allows management to monitor employees’ working hours comprehensively, including overtime, late arrivals, early departures, and leaves. This helps in evaluating work performance and making appropriate adjustments.
- Automation, Reducing Errors: The time tracking process is fully automated, and data is accurately compiled, saving time and effort for HR departments while reducing payroll calculation errors.
- Information Security: Employee data and working hours are securely stored on the card, with access restricted to authorized personnel only, minimizing the risk of sensitive information leakage.
- Cost-Effective: Compared to other time tracking solutions, time attendance cards have a lower investment cost and can be used long-term, offering high economic efficiency for businesses.
- Enhances Employee Experience: Time tracking with cards is fast and convenient, contributing to a modern workplace that embraces high-tech solutions, thereby increasing employee satisfaction and loyalty.
Popular Types of Time Attendance Cards on the Market Today
Currently, there are various types of time attendance cards on the market to meet the diverse needs of businesses. Each type of card offers distinct advantages, making them top choices as effective HR management solutions.
Magnetic Stripe Card
This type of card features an integrated magnetic stripe on the back, used to store personal information or related data. The stripe operates based on magnetic principles, allowing specialized devices to easily read, write, and modify information on the card. Thanks to its high applicability and reasonable cost, this magnetic stripe card is widely used in various fields, including time attendance.
Applications of Magnetic Stripe Card:
- Membership cards, discount cards, hotel room keys.
- Time attendance, employee ID cards, access control.
Structure of the Magnetic Stripe Card:
- Material: The card is made of plastic, ensuring durability and aesthetics.
- Magnetic Stripe: Located on the back of the card, measuring 8.5 x 1.2 cm, containing information encoded on three magnetic tracks.
- Data Encoding: Information is recorded according to ISO 7811-2 standards, ensuring compatibility with card reading devices.
- Color: The card is usually white but can be printed in various colors.
RFID Proximity Card
The RFID Proximity Card, also known as a contactless or touchless card, uses radio frequency identification technology to communicate with a reader. A unique feature of this type of card is its “read-only” capability, meaning the information on the card is pre-written and cannot be changed or erased. With data typically consisting of 4 to 14 digits, RFID Proximity Cards are commonly used as ID cards, employee badges, time attendance cards, or key cards, providing convenience without the need for direct contact; they simply need to be held near the reader.
Technical Specifications of the RFID Proximity Card:
- Frequency: 125 KHz
- Reading Distance: 5 – 15 cm
- Reading Time: 1 – 2 ms
- Operating Temperature: 20 – 85 degrees Celsius
- Size: 85 x 54 x 0.81 mm
- Compatibility: Works with various popular readers such as IDTECK, ZKSoftware, Pegasus, Hundure, Promag, Soyal, etc.
Mifare Card
The Mifare time attendance card is a type of high-end RFID card that operates at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. It stands out for its large data storage capacity and superior durability. With the ability to read or write up to 100,000 times and a data retention time of up to 10 years, Mifare cards ensure information stability and security. Each card has a unique, unchangeable serial number, effectively preventing fraud. Due to these advantages, Mifare cards are widely used in many fields that require high security, such as card-based access control systems, automatic toll collection, and time attendance systems.
Technical Specifications:
- Operating Frequency: Mifare cards operate at a frequency of 13.56 MHz, complying with the international standard ISO/IEC 14443A.
- Storage Capacity: Depending on the version, Mifare cards can store from 512 bits (Mifare Ultrahigh) to 1 kilobyte (Mifare S50 and S70).
- Reading Range: Readers can identify cards within a distance of 2.5 to 10 cm.
- Read/Write Speed: The process of reading or writing data to the card is quick, taking only 1 to 2 milliseconds.
- Durability: Mifare cards have superior rewrite capabilities, exceeding 100,000 times, and the data remains stable for up to 10 years.
- Size: The cards come in two common sizes: 85.7 x 54 x 0.8 mm (thin card) or 85.7 x 54 x 1.8 mm (thick card).
Keyfob Card
The Keyfob card is a type of time attendance card with a compact design, shaped like a keychain, made from ultra-durable ABS or PVC material, minimizing the risk of damage. Integrated with RFID technology, this card provides convenience for the attendance process as well as for managing access control systems, making it particularly suitable for those who frequently move around.
Notable Technical Features:
- Operating Frequency: Keyfob cards support various frequencies, including 125 KHz, 13.56 MHz, 860 MHz, and 960 MHz, allowing compatibility with multiple systems.
- Weight: The card is lightweight, weighing only about 5 grams, making it easy to carry.
- Size and Shape: Available in diverse sizes and shapes, depending on the manufacturer, providing users with various options.
- Operating Temperature: The card can operate stably within a temperature range of 10 to 50 degrees Celsius, suitable for most work environments.
How Much Do Time Attendance Cards Cost Today?
The cost of time attendance cards varies. If additional information needs to be printed on the card, the company will incur a small extra fee. Prices may change depending on the time and supplier. For the best deals and bulk purchase discounts, businesses should compare price lists from various vendors.
Where to Buy High-Quality, Affordable Time Attendance Cards?
Businesses can easily purchase time attendance cards on e-commerce platforms. These platforms offer a wide variety of cards at competitive prices, providing plenty of options to suit your needs. However, when shopping online, choose reputable suppliers to ensure product quality and warranty.
If you’re looking for a comprehensive and reliable time tracking solution, SECOM is a leading provider of time tracking systems and card services. Not only do we offer modern time attendance card machines, but we also provide high-quality cards for customers using our services. With an experienced team, SECOM ensures the best solutions for businesses, from consultation to installation and providing suitable time cards for your system.
These are the common types of time attendance cards available today. They offer a modern solution to help businesses accurately and efficiently manage employee working hours. If you’re searching for a reputable provider for time tracking systems and cards, contact SECOM for the most detailed advice.
