Introduction

Ubiqod enables users to perform contactless clock-ins using the NFC (Near Field Communication) feature of their personal or professional smartphones. This method provides a seamless and efficient alternative to traditional time-tracking systems.

Advantages and Disadvantages of NFC Clocking

NFC technology offers several advantages for time tracking:

• More Secure than QR Codes:
  Encoding an NFC tag requires specialized knowledge and tools, making unauthorized duplication significantly more difficult compared to generating a QR code.

• User-friendly:
  Once familiar with the technology, users can clock in simply by placing their smartphone close to an NFC tag, which automatically opens the Ubiqod clocking interface. The experience can be further enhanced with NFC-compatible smartwatches.

However, there are important considerations to keep in mind:

• Lower Public Familiarity:
  NFC is widely used for contactless payments, but less familiar for other purposes like time tracking. Brief training sessions can help staff adopt this technology quickly.

• Device Compatibility and NFC Activation:
  Not all smartphones have NFC capabilities, and users must ensure NFC is enabled on their device.

• Security Considerations:
  Unlike secured QR codes (such as Ubiqod Key), standard NFC tags don’t offer the same level of security unless paired with dedicated applications.

Creating an NFC Tag for Time Tracking

To set up an NFC tag for clocking purposes, follow these steps:

1. Purchase NFC Tags:
   Obtain blank NFC cards suitable for time tracking.

2. Download an Encoding App:
   Use an NFC encoding application (e.g., NFC Tools Pro for Android) to write data onto your NFC tags.

3. Write the Tracker URL:

   • Add a URL record within the app using the tracker URL provided by Ubiqod.

   • Confirm and write this data to the NFC tag.

4. Lock the Tag:
   To prevent unauthorized rewriting, lock the tag after encoding. This action is permanent and ensures tag integrity.

User Experience for NFC Clocking

Here's how users interact with an NFC tag to clock in or out:

1. Activate NFC:
   Users must ensure their smartphone has NFC capability and that this feature is activated.

2. Approach the NFC Tag:
   Users simply place their smartphone close to the NFC tag positioned at the clock-in point. The exact NFC chip location varies by phone model, so initial familiarization may be necessary.

3. Complete the Clocking Process:
   When the smartphone detects the NFC tag, it will prompt users to open the clocking interface via their web browser, where they can finalize their clock-in or clock-out action with the suitable interface.