The NFC-based clock in/out capability makes time tracking faster, more accurate, and easier for teams that start their shifts at a physical location. NFC (Near Field Communication) is a short-range wireless technology that allows devices to interact when held close together, similar to how contactless payments work. This enables employees to clock in with a simple tap, confirming on-site presence, reducing routine friction, and minimizing errors or misuse. It’s a straightforward, reliable way to ensure accurate time tracking for both employees and managers. Let's dive in!
This article will cover:
How to Add a New NFC in Connecteam
Once you receive an NFC tag from Connecteam, follow these steps in order to implement it in the platform. To add a new NFC to your Time Clock:
Access the Time Clock feature from the left sidebar and enter the relevant Time Clock.
Head over to the Clock in & out tab.
Choose whether employees can clock into scheduled shifts, or without a scheduled shift, and enable NFC clock-in from the dropdown menu.
Click on the gear icon found in the NFC option, which will open a separate modal allowing you to set up your NFC.
In the modal that opens, select Add NFC.
Insert the NFC ID which can be found on the back of the NFC tag you received from Connecteam. Please note, that the ID you type in needs to be identical to the one on your NFC tag, and is case sensitive.
Add a display name and location which will be associated with your NFC and click Save.
That's it! All employees assigned to the Time Clock will be able to clock in by attaching their mobile phones to your NFC device, as long as they have the Connecteam app installed.
* Note that users will need to open the Connecteam app before attaching their mobile phone to the NFC device.
What Users Will See When Clocking in
If you selected the option to allow users to clock in via NFC only, users will see a blue button allowing them to clock in, and will be asked to scan the NFC device:
If you selected the option to allow users to clock in both via NFC and via Mobile, users will be able to clock in by clicking on the blue Clock in button, or by clicking on the Scan NFC button, and scanning the NFC device.
How NFC Clock-in is Reflected on Users' Timesheets
By hovering over users' clock-in and out times in their timesheets, NFC clock-ins will be reflected by the NFC icon and display name, allowing admins to verify users clocked in via the NFC device.
If you already have your own NFC tag, make sure to check out this article for instructions on how to configure it!
Disclaimer
Attaching an NFC tag to a metallic surface like stainless steel can interfere with its readability and may even cause it to not work at all. This happens because metal absorbs or reflects the tag’s high-frequency electromagnetic signals, interfering with its antenna. If you received an NFC from Connecteam, it will already have a protective layer which prevents this, however if you have your own NFC tag, make sure to review the following suggestions.
To overcome this, there are a few effective solutions:
Use NFC tags with a metal-insulating layer (Anti-metal NFC tags): These tags are specially designed for metal surfaces and include a separating layer between the antenna and the surface.
Use an insulating sticker (Spacer): You can place a thin sticker (like thin foam or plastic) between the tag and the surface, so the tag isn't in direct contact with the stainless steel.
Attach the tag to a non-metallic surface: If possible, it's better to stick the tag onto a nearby plastic or non-metal part.
*Enabling NFC Clock in is available from the Advanced plan on the Operations hub*
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