Time & Attendance Product Family

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Quicklinks to products

TimeSheet Express V3
ZipNet Terminal
ZipNet Polling Program
ZipNet Anywhere
RS-485 Adaptor

TimeSheet Express V3

If you want an "instant" solution to tracking staff Time and Attendance, you might wish to consider TimeSheet Express V3.

TimeSheet Express V3 uses ASP’s ZipNet Terminal for the collection of staff clock in and clock out times, and doesn’t require the time consuming definition and maintenance of shift profiles. Instead, time data is processed by a few simple rules, then presented in an easy to comprehend visual display. Editing, if required, is easily carried out, and a full range of reports is available.

Export to popular Payroll Programs is easily achieved with optional Export Modules. Combine TimeSheet Express V3 with the new "Direct Download" option for the second generation ZipNet Terminal, and same day installation and results are possible. TimeSheet Express V3 is available for trial download.

Click here for more details.

• Zip in...
• ..Zip out
• for ZipNet Terminal
• Payroll Export (opt)

ZipNet Terminal

With ASP's rugged ZipNet Terminal, staff clock in and out with the simple touch of an IDTag, or slide of a barcoded card (to decide which identification technology is best for you click here). A "good read" is immediately signaled by a "beep" and on the screen of the Terminal. The data is then stored, avoiding errors, saving a lot of double handling, and allowing the use of time saving software such as TimeSheet Express V3.

Physically the size of an Australian power point, the ZipNet Terminal is easily installed either horizontally or vertically. It can be networked using the RS485 standard (allowing up to 1.2 kilometres of cable!), or it can be used in the innovative Direct Download mode (download via ASP DataTag). The latest model of the ZipNet Terminal has a number of great new features:

• All new optical assembly makes barcode reading much easier.
• No contact to barcode minimises card wear.
• May be mounted vertically or horizontally.
• The Clock/Calendar is now internal, no need for network updates.
• Increased memory size.
• Simpler click in "Cat 5" type cabling.
• Data can optionally be downloaded on an infrared light beam (PDA Collection).
• Data can be downloaded on a rugged ASP DataTag, just touch to the front of the terminal (Direct Download).
• Data can optionally be downloaded by modem.
• Optional relay for programmable "horn".
• Sub-networks can be wired to PCs to integrate to ethernet backbones.
• Control program is contained in upgradeable flash memory.

• Compact
• Networked
• Barcode & IDTag
• Cost effective
• Direct Download

Barcode Card or IDTag?

Generally, we find a preference for our rugged IDTags. The Terminal is slightly cheaper, the Tags are rugged, waterproof and conveniently attached to a keyring, and they can be recycled when staff leave. The IDTags cannot be copied, each is unique. On the other hand they are more expensive than barcoded cards.

Barcoded Cards are preferred where staff already have to carry an identification card (which can have the barcode added to it), or where there is a large staff or a lot of staff turnover and expense is a consideration. Our standard pre-printed cards come with a write-on strip for recording staff name. Cards should use the Code 39 standard, medium resolution, to our specification, and naturally be tested for suitability (ASP will be happy to advise in this regard). You should be aware that it is possible for barcoded cards to be photocopied and read. Bear this in mind if "buddy clocking" is a risk.

RS485 Networking

Up to 31 units can be daisy-chained on up to 1.2 kilometres of low cost "Cat 5" cable. Note that although Cat 5 cable is used commonly for ethernet networks, RS485 is a different standard, designed to go long distances, and you cannot directly connect the ZipNet Terminal to an ethernet network. Back at the PC, the cable is connected to an Intelligent Converter to convert from the RS485 standard to the RS232 (COM Port) standard used by the PC. If your network has only a short cable, say up to 20 metres, you can even draw power over the network, saving finding a power point near the Terminal.

Direct Download Mode

The new Direct Download capability means that Terminals can be installed without the cost of wiring back to a host computer. Just plug the ZipNet into a power point. Data is simply collected periodically by touching a special ASP DataTag to the front of the ZipNet. Download takes only a few seconds, and is monitored on the ZipNet's display. Back at the PC, slide the DataTag into a small drive, and the data is immediately transferred. An ASP TimeTag, also part of the Direct Download Kit, can carry synchronised time from a PC to the Terminal.

Combined with TimeSheet Express V3, you could be up and running in an afternoon, and yet you can expand and enhance your ZipNet installation at any time. Follow this link to find out how.

For more details on this VERY AFFORDABLE System, give ASP a call. We'll help you plan and cost the alternatives, and analyse the benefits.

ZipNet Polling Program

In some organisations, the ZipNet Terminals may be located quite some distance from the computer running the TimeSheet Express V3 software, which usually means long (and possibly expensive) cabling costs. However, if there's another computer located near the ZipNet Terminals that is on a LAN (ie networked) with the TimeSheet Express V3 computer, you can use our ZipNet Polling Program.

The ZipNet Polling Program can collect the data from the ZipNet Terminals, and then save that data over your existing network to the computer running the TimeSheet Express V3 program, which is set to accept the data in that way.

ZipNet Anywhere

ZipNet Anywhere is an enhanced version of our ZipNet Polling Program (see above) that can use modems to download data from ZipNet Terminals located anywhere in the world.

ZipNet Anywhere operates around the idea of units, locations and schedules. Units are ZipNet Terminals. Locations can be Local, where ZipNet Terminals are attached to a serial port on the computer running ZipNet Anywhere, or Remote, where a modem is used to communicate with one or more units that are attached to another modem at a separate site. Schedules are used to control when ZipNet Anywhere polls locations.

Each location can accommodate up to 31 ZipNet Terminals, and an unlimited number of locations and schedules can be defined.

Intelligent RS-485 Adaptor

Unless you are using the ZipNet Terminal's Direct Download mode, at least one Intelligent RS-485 Adaptor will be required on a site to interface between the terminals and a PC or modem. Up to 31 ZipNet Terminals can be daisy-chained together, using up to 1200 metres of low-cost cable.

The Intelligent RS-485 Adaptor allows ZipNet Terminals to be connected in one of these ways:

• To a serial port on the PC running TimeSheet Express V3, using the polling features built into ZipNet TimeSheet.
• To a serial port on another PC on the same network as the PC running TimeSheet Express V3, using the ZipNet Polling Program or ZipNet Anywhere.
• Where ZipNet Terminals are located at a remote site, by attaching between the terminals and a modem which is connected to a telephone line. This arrangement requires the ZipNet Anywhere program to be used at the site where TimeSheet Express V3 is located.