Synchronized Wall Clocks
It is often important that a facilities wall clocks are time synchronized to the data collection terminals used with the UltraTime Enterprise labor management system. This insures that there is no confusion for the employees as to what the correct time is and when they should punch.
To maintain the wall clocks time accurately, they are synchronized from a master clock. The master clock may connect to the wall clocks by twisted-pair wire (RS422), Ethernet or wireless communication.
The Master Clock is kept accurate by synchronizing with the official NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) time. This is typically done by one of the following three methods:
- CDMA - utilizes cell phone towers.
- GPS - receives the time from government satellite signals.
- Ethernet - uses the Internet to query the NIST Internet time servers.
Wall Clocks are available in a variety of styles. There are digital LED clocks as well as the traditional analog clocks with hands. The clocks come in different sizes and single, double or quad faces. Digital clocks can also be four (HH:MM) or six digits (HH:MM:SS) and are offered with 1.8", 2.5", 4" and 7" digit sizes. The 4" digit size is most common and has a visiblilty of 225 feet.
The server running the badge terminal polling service is also synchronized to NIST and sends out the time periodically. In this manner, all connected data collection devices and visible wall clocks are coordinated and displaying the same time.