PunchClock
An iOS app for tracking employee in/out status using iBeacon and geofencing technology.
What is PunchClock?
PunchClock is an iOS application that automatically tracks employee in/out status using iBeacon proximity detection and geofencing technology. It solves the problem of manual time tracking by automatically detecting when employees enter or leave designated work areas and provides real-time status updates to colleagues.
Organizations and teams needing automated employee presence tracking, particularly those with iOS devices and physical office spaces where iBeacon or geofencing technology can be deployed.
Developers choose PunchClock for its automated approach to presence tracking that requires minimal user interaction, its use of multiple iOS location technologies for reliability, and its real-time notification system that keeps teams informed about colleague availability.
Overview
An in/out tracking app for iOS 7+ that uses iBeacon and Geofencing.
Use Cases
Best For
- Automating employee time tracking in office environments
- Implementing presence detection using iBeacon technology
- Creating geofence-based check-in systems for iOS devices
- Building colleague availability notification systems
- Developing location-aware workplace applications
- Tracking team member presence without manual input
Not Ideal For
- Teams needing cross-platform employee tracking (e.g., iOS and Android)
- Organizations unwilling or unable to deploy and maintain the separate PunchClockServer component
- Projects requiring ongoing support, updates, or compatibility with modern iOS versions
- Use cases with strict privacy regulations where constant location monitoring is problematic
Pros & Cons
Pros
Combines iBeacon and geofencing to automatically trigger in/out status changes, reducing manual input as described in the README's philosophy of minimal user interaction.
Sends push notifications when colleagues' status changes, keeping teams informed instantly, a key feature highlighted for tracking and alerts.
Provides Core Location data display in the Information tab for fine-tuning beacon and fence placement, as mentioned in the usage section.
Requires only initial name entry and then operates automatically, aligning with the goal of hands-off tracking described in the README.
Allows sending messages to colleagues marked as 'In' via the chat icon, adding a communication layer without leaving the app.
Cons
Explicitly stated in the README as no longer being updated and an unsupported product, making it risky for new deployments with potential compatibility issues.
Cannot function without the separate PunchClockServer, adding complexity and maintenance overhead, as noted in the README's build and usage instructions.
Uses a naive name-based system that doesn't handle name changes well, as admitted in the README, leading to duplicate records and security concerns.
Limited to iOS 7+ and requires iBeacon/geofencing hardware, restricting its use to specific environments and making it inflexible for broader adoption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
Google Glass & BeaconsGlasstimote is a demonstration application for Google Glass that leverages the Estimote SDK to interact with Bluetooth beacons. It provides contextual location awareness by scanning for nearby beacons and displaying relevant information directly on the Glass interface. ## Key Features - **Beacon Discovery** — Automatically starts scanning for Estimote beacons in the vicinity. - **Live Card Notifications** — Publishes a live card with location details when specific beacons are detected nearby. - **Interactive Details** — Tap on the live card to view more information about the nearby beacon. - **Continuous Scanning** — The service runs persistently, updating the live card as beacons enter or exit range. - **Range-Based Control** — Scanning for other beacons pauses while a beacon is in range, resuming once it goes out of range. - **Service Management** — Includes a stop option on the live card to manually halt the scanning service. ## Philosophy Glasstimote demonstrates how wearable technology like Google Glass can provide seamless, context-aware experiences by integrating with physical beacons to deliver real-time location information.
LaunchHere for iOS - iBeacon based app shortcutsCapTech Webinar: iBeacon DemystifiedBuilding Applications with iBeaconFound a gem we're missing?
Open-Awesome is built by the community, for the community. Submit a project, suggest an awesome list, or help improve the catalog on GitHub.