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Schedule Machine

A reading schedule says when the collector should go to a device: every so many minutes, at a list of fixed times, or both. Build it once here and name it on as many devices as you like.

Where
Time Management › Setup › Schedule Machine
Who uses it
The implementation consultant, once per reading pattern
When
Before, or just after, the devices are registered
Needs first
Nothing

What it is for​

Reading a device every fifteen minutes all day is simple and it is what most clients want. Some do not. A client whose readers sit on a slow link, or whose line manager wants the attendance sheet right at shift change and not before, wants exact times instead.

A schedule holds that choice once, under a name, so it can be set on a group of devices rather than typed into each of them. Change the schedule and every device using it follows.

The schedule is one of three shapes, and Based On is what picks the shape.

Every field, in plain words​

Basic Data​

FieldWhat it meansWhat to put in itNotes
Schedule No.The short code for this schedule.SCH-SHIFT
DescriptionWhat the schedule is called in words.Read at each shift change
Based OnWhether the schedule runs on an interval, on fixed times, or both.BOTHRequired. The three values are below.
Read Every (Minutes)The interval, when the schedule uses one.15Only used when Based On is Interval or Both.
Only FromThe earliest time of day the schedule may read.06:00Leave both empty to allow the whole day.
Only UntilThe latest time of day it may read.23:00

The Based On values:

  • TIMES - fixed times only. The collector reads only at the times on the grid, and the interval is ignored. Use this where the client wants the device read exactly at shift change and at nothing else.
  • INTERVAL - interval only. The collector reads every so many minutes inside the window, and the grid is ignored. The usual choice.
  • BOTH - the interval, plus the fixed times. Use this where a client wants a steady fifteen minute cycle and also wants a guaranteed read at 06:00 and 14:00 whatever the cycle is doing.

Also Read At​

One line per fixed time. Used when Based On is Fixed Times or Both.

FieldWhat it meansWhat to put in itNotes
Line #The line number.Fills itself. Leave it.
TimeA time of day to read at.06:00Required. Use the 24 hour clock.
Line TextA note on the line.Morning shift change

How to configure it​

  1. Ask the client when they actually need the attendance sheet to be current. Usually it is at shift change and at the end of the day.
  2. Open the screen. Type a Schedule No. and a Description, for example SCH-SHIFT and Read at each shift change.
  3. Pick Based On. For a steady cycle plus guaranteed reads at shift change, pick BOTH.
  4. Type Read Every, for example 15, and the Only From and Only Until window, for example 06:00 and 23:00.
  5. Add an Also Read At line per fixed time, for example 06:00 Morning shift change, 14:00 Afternoon shift change, 22:00 Night shift change.
  6. Save, then name the schedule in the Schedule field on each Attendance Machine it applies to.

Scenarios​

"Read the gate readers every fifteen minutes but the office door only twice a day"​

Two schedules. One with Based On set to Interval and Read Every 15, named on the gate readers. One with Based On set to Fixed Times and two grid lines, 09:30 and 18:30, named on the office door.

"The supervisor needs the sheet exactly at shift change"​

Based On set to Both, Read Every 15 for the steady cycle, and a grid line at each shift change time. The fixed times happen whatever the interval cycle is doing.

What it is connected to​

  • An Attendance Machine names one schedule in its Schedule field. One schedule can be used on any number of devices.
  • A device can have its own interval and window without a schedule at all. Use a schedule when the pattern is shared or when fixed times are needed.

If something looks wrong​

  • "I added times but the device still reads every fifteen minutes" - Based On is set to Interval, which ignores the grid. Change it to Fixed Times or Both.
  • "The device is not reading at the times I entered" - check that Based On is not Interval, and that the times fall inside the Only From and Only Until window.
  • "It says a time is needed on the line" - an Also Read At line has no time. Fill it or delete the line.