System overview
Once registered, a service administrator is allowed to add users (up to a user quota) to the system. User can then use the C9Clockin APP to scan a specific time-based QR code for clocking in and out. The time-based QR code is generated by the C9Clockin QR APP, and it is available in Google Play store for free.
After each scan, the C9Clockin APP sends back timestamp and location information to the C9Clock-in server for verification and logging. With the C9Clockin Admin APP, administrator can review user's clock in/out record and export each record in spreadsheet format.
Registration
At this moment, we are still configuring the automated registration process and the pricing categories. Although it is not yet ready, you may expect to use a valid email address for the registration process. We prefer you to use an adminstrator's email instead of your own email for registration. Hence, you can administrate the service with one account, and perform the regular clock in/out with another. Besides, it also allows you to share the administrator account with your company's administrator without interferring your own account.
The QR code
QR code generation
One of the main components of the whole service is the time-based QR code. The content of this QR code contains information such as time, device code and verification signature.
Previously, we made some e-paper prototypes to display the QR code. However, the making process is time consuming, and it is relatively hard to configure from a client's perspective.
As a result, we developed a QR code generating app, C9Clockin QR, to serve that purpose. The app can be run on Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or above devices. That means you can use an older Android phone as our QR code device.
C9Clockin QR requires administrator login. During the first login, it retrieves the default device code from the server. Company that registered for multiple device codes can edit the code in the app's setting page. Each device code denotes its location and boundary in the system. You can have multiple devices with the same device code for clocking in/out at the same location.
Clock in/out with QR code
User login to the C9Clockin app and select clock-in or clock-out. Then scan the QR code on the QR code device to retrieve the timestamp, device code, and verfication signature embedded. The app sends this information together with user's ID, timestamp, and location back to the C9Clock-in server for verification.
The verification process first compares the timestamps from QR code device and user's phone. It fails if the difference of those timestamps are more than 45 seconds. This is to prevent user from using an expired QR code, e.g. a captured QR code image.
Next, the verification process compares the location where user clocked in/out. It uses the location and boundary denoted by the device code, and it calculates whether a user is within or too far from that location.
Once the verification process is completed, the information such as date, time, location, etc. will be stored in the database. The app will also receive a confirmation message and display the result to the user.
Administration
The Admin App
Administrator can use the C9Clockin Admin app to administrate the subscribed service.
Company information. Administrator can edit company's name, timezone, location and boundary. The default device code will also bind to this location and boundary.
Staff records. It shows the latest clock in/out records of the staffs. Administrator can also select to view records of specific staff for the past 45 days and export the records in spreadsheet format.
Staff management. It allows administrator to add and remove staffs to the system. The maximum number of staffs depends on the service subscription level.
Messaging. It can be used to send message to all users in the same clock-in service. However, the system will only keep the latest five messages in the database.
Device management. If the service subscription includes multiple device codes, administrator can edit the location and boundary for each of the subscribed device codes. Besdies, it also contains a static QR code image served as a backup if the QR code device doesn't work.
Apps download
C9Clockin
C9Clockin Admin
C9Clockin QR
© C'OFFICE 2024. All Rights Reserved.