The AfriClock range is made up of a few models, from a fixed, vandal-resistant model to a fully portable and robust clock for field use. Clocking is done by means of Dallas i-buttons and clock data is stored in a removable module. Successful clocking by a worker is acknowledged with a date and time display on the clock (only models equipped with a display). The display is turned off again after a few seconds to conserve battery life. In addition, a green light will flash and a buzzer will sound once to acknowledge a successful clocking. The standalone clocks can store more than 7500 individual button touches, so frequent clearing is not necessary. (100 workers clocking four times daily will produce about 2400 button touches per six-day week. Repeated button touches are not logged, so conserving memory.) Periodically (daily/weekly/monthly) the clock is unlocked and the data module is exchanged. Each fixed clock comes complete with two data modules to eliminate unnecessary trips, while the portable itself must be carried to your computer for downloading via a USB cable.

Once removed from the clock, the data module is placed into a small docking station linked to your PC, where the data is read from the module and stored into a database, ready for further processing. If the data module has been cleared and the data written successfully, it will be emptied, ready for re-use at the next periodic module exchange. Simultaneously, your current employee name list is downloaded into the data module, to enable name displays on the clock itself. This provides for 120 worker names to be displayed. If your worker count exceeds this, the clock will display names for the first 120 workers in alphabetical order, and will display button numbers only, for the rest. ALL workers WILL be clocked correctly regardless of whether their names are displayed. However, you should probably not exceed the total of 120 workers per clock for other, practical reasons.

SPECIFIC ADVANTAGES:

• No maintenance apart from occasional battery replacement. Using alkaline cells, battery life will exceed six months to one year under normal circumstances at approximately 20-22 degrees Celsius. Higher temperatures and large temperature variations will reduce this;
• Not susceptible to power failures – works completely independently from mains supply;
• Not susceptible to lightning (no cabling required);
• The fixed version is designed to be tamper-, vandal- and theft-resistant (it is mounted inside a small wall safe and the display is protected with an extremely tough piece of shatterproof polycarbonate plastic), and clock setting cannot be done without the safe key;
• Optionally protected against sun and rain for mounting on an externally exposed wall (separate sun/rain shade required);
• Can be used anywhere where people work, even in a vehicle or at a remote site office;
• The system software is very simple, allowing easy use by anybody who can operate a computer;
• Modular design: All the electronic circuitry is in a removable, easily replaceable module and the button reader/receptor is easily removed and replaced. Buttons are inexpensive, freely available and very robust, and can be re-used for new employees. Memory modules are inexpensive and interchangeable and additional modules are available. The clock uses standard cells (alkaline cells are preferred for extended life, but ordinary batteries will also work if alkaline is not available).

IMAGES:

Fixed clock (AF1)

Standard portable (AP1) 

Robust portable clock (AP2)

Docking station (DOCK)

Button reader (READER)

Dallas buttons (BUT)