As technology advances, so does our way of using it to our advantage. Clocking in machines have been around for decades, but recently their usefulness has increased along with our needs for them. Originally, the clocking in systems did just that, they clocked a worker in. Often times, each worker would have a card with their name and information on it and would have a hole punched in it that indicated the time and day they arrived at work and the time they left. The more employees a company hired, the more difficult it became to keep up with everyone coming and going, so a machine was needed to help accommodate to eliminate mistakes.

According to Workforce Magazine, there is a need to secure data and save costs at all times. So much personal information and company financials are now moving towards more online based systems. Depending on the company's needs and financial flexibility, a new, more advanced clocking in machine and/or system may be necessary and help cut down on administrative costs.

Key-card access and pin-code access are more financially friendly system, being more basic in terms of the software and equipment. For a key-card, an employee's basic information can be loaded onto a card along with a chip that allows access to certain information or computer software. For example, someone in administration may need to have access to certain areas of a building or a specific computer that the average employee would not. When using a key-card, the user can just swipe or slide the card to gain access, but the card also gives the reader the information of the person requesting access and the day and time that they did so. By keeping track of an employees comings and goings, a company can also keep an eye on absences, tardiness, and overtime hours. When using a pin-code for access, an external keypad is available for an employee to type in their personal pin-code to gain entry to a program.

If a company is concerned about an employee potentially losing their key-card and someone who should not have access uses their card, then maybe a more advanced version of a clocking in machine should be used. Biometric finger print clock in machines read an employees fingerprint prior to giving them access to restricted information, and/or can be used to clock in an employee at work. Accountants and financial advisor's need access to much of a company's important financial information and employee payroll, which may be a reason to use such an exclusive piece of equipment to keep track of employees and the information they have access to. Along the same line, is the biometric eye recognizer which scans the retina of an employees eye to verify the user.

In addition to the different equipment that a company has to choose from, Auto Time Systems advises there are also clocking in software programs that a business needs to keep in mind when choosing the type of clock system they are going to use. Sirrom offers emails that can be sent directly to the head of the company on important issues, like frequent absences, tardiness, or an attempt to access information that was denied. As well as sending pertinent information on hours worked directly to the payroll department.