Suggestions on Low Cost Tablet to Serve as a Standalone Timeclock.

[FHL]

Hello,

I've decided to give Square Teams as my time clock solution. Not overly complicated, but will do basic time tracking. And there seems to be attention being given to adding features and further development.

I'm looking for suggestions low priced Tablet I can use strictly as a Time-clock running Square Point of Sale to serve as strictly a time-clock. Ideally, I'm thinking about something that I can mount near the employee entrance. My existing square hardware (iPads in Stands) are often in use checking out customers and not always available for employees to clock in/out. I've chosen not to allow employees to use the Team app and there unfortunately isn't a web based login option, so I think this is my best option. I think an Android Tablet is my best route, but I'm an iPhone guy and have very little experience with Android products.

Thanks in advance!

[Lovewell]

@FHL You could try finding a used ipad online if you're more comfortable with apple.

Another option would be searching on amazon for an inexpensive tablet that runs on android.

ORR since you are an Iphone guy, if you have an old Iphone you could totally use that! Then youre not having to buy new tech and it wont take up too much room to mount it.

[bpc20]

We also have a second ipad (from our old POS) that we used to use to clock people in with When I Work app because our main POS was always in use. It was great. But i have no idea how to set up clock in/out using individual PINs with Square on the timeclock iPad. It seems you have to be logged in with your full Admin access to allow clock in/outs unlike When I work where people could just put their employee number in and clock in, after a minute it just logs you out and the next person can clock in/out, it was great.

[FHL]

I have 3 iPads I use as POS systems and the clock in/out functionality on them is great. Each employee has their own PIN that they enter in either the POS app or Retail app to clock in and out. And they also use that same pin if they are a cashier so I can track their transactions. Non-cashier employees can just clock in/out. Noone is ever logged in with admin access. It's great, let me know if you want some help setting it up this way, because its possible! Documentation isn't great, but I figured it out with trial and error. 

I want to either use a back up iPad or (preferably) a cheap android tablet mounted on the wall or locked to run the POS app which will strictly be for clocking in and out at a separate location in our building (I'm thinking the break room close to the entrance).

[bpc20]

i would love to know how you set this up. the last time i called Square, they told me my Admin account had to be logged in in order for employees to clock in/out using their pins. which is nuts.

[VanKalkerFarms]

personally, I wouldn't try going Android if you are an Apple ecosystem guy.  Find an old iPhone you upgraded or an old iPad or buy a used or even new one.  We have multiple android tablets for Grubhub, uber, etc and they are trash and not worth the $100 they are as they are so slow and need rebooting, and randomly the apps crash almost daily.  Those are the tablets the services provides and they are even cheaper ones out there.  Adding android support into your mix just doesn't seem the $100 savings.

We have 4 POS ipads so there almost is always the ability for someone to clock in quickly.  If it wasn't then I would just set up one of our old iPad minis.

[bpc20]

Agreed. We find Square works better on iOS. How do you set up the iPads so each worker can clock in? Square told us that our Admin account had to be logged in in order for employees to clock in/out using their pins. We don't want workers to have access to our admin account.

[bpc20]

agreed, old ipads are cheap as heck on ebay, if they're new enough to run Square, you'll be good to go.

[FHL]

Thanks for the great reply. That's exactly what I needed to hear. You stopped me from talking myself into a support nightmare; I should know better. 

@bpc20 I believe what was the epiphany for me regarding PIN logins/permissions while maintaining access control was moving the iPads to Device Code logins instead of email/password. I can answer more specifically when I'm back in the office Monday. But I think that was it. Do you have that set up? 

Documentation on this isn't great, but it is possible. 

[bpc20]

When you get a chance, id love to hear/see your simple step by step to setting up pin logins on an ipad.

[FHL]

Sorry for not responding sooner. I just found this tab forgotten in a browser window. So let me see if I can help.

I'm setting up a new iPad from scratch, so the details are somewhat fresher in my mind.

I have each iPad set to be managed using shared settings with a device code - https://squareup.com/dashboard/point-of-sale/devices

So whether using the standard POS or retail POS software, they log in with a device code.

In the Standard POS app, under More -> Settings -> Security, Passcodes is on, Team Passcode is off. Also on the left sidebar of the Settings page, scroll down and under Team Management in Add-ons,  make sure "Track Team Member" time is on and Subscription is active.

On the Retail POS app, There are not similar settings, so make sure the shared settings you are using above has the checkbox for Track Time Enabled. (One annoying side complaint is that there is no way in the retail app to turn off having to enter a passcode every time you back out of the sale. There is a setting for this in the standard POS app, wish there was one in the shared setting screen)

I have each employee set up with a passcode and a set of team permissions - https://squareup.com/dashboard/team/team-members

Other setting specific to your business can be configured here: https://squareup.com/dashboard/shifts/settings/

I hope this helps you get this set up. Everything above may not be required, but that's how my setup looks. Let me know if you have any other questions.