Definitions of Terms

TIME RECORDER
Also referred to as a Time Clock or Punch Clock.

SIDE PRINTER
A Time Recorder that prints date and time information on a card fed into the machine in a horizontal position. This is the most popular time recorder, and can be used for Time & Attendance as well as Job Costing.

Manual Side Printer: The employee places the card horizontally in the front of the recorder and positions the card under a marker. The employee moves the card to the correct "in" or "out" position for that day, and manually pushes the lever or bar to activate the print mechanism.
Automatic Side Printer: The print mechanism is activated by the time card triggering a micro switch, which then prints the date and time using an automatic solenoid mechanism. The date and time characters are usually mounted on the edges of a set of print wheels.
Electronic Side Printer: The print mechanism is activated by the time card triggering a micro switch, which then prints the date and time using a small dot matrix print head. The dot matrix printer can be programmed to print date and time in a variety of formats, and can usually print other text as well.

CLIPPER CLOCK
A Time Recorder in which you insert your card from the top. Each time the card is inserted, the card is "clipped" on the left side. The last clip controls the position for printing the next date and time.
Some newer models don't "clip" the card, but print a heavy black mark on the card. The last mark on the card controls the position for printing the next date and time.

CARRIAGE CLOCK
A Time Recorder in which the card receiver is programmed (by a tape or drum) to automatically move during the day to "in" and "out" positions, across the card or down the card.

JOB COSTING
A method used to keep track of the time it takes to manufacture a product, repair equipment, or perform any operation. For each job performed, the employee punches "on" and "off" the job during his work day. At the end of the day, you can total the number of hours and the number of jobs completed on each card, to calculate the exact cost for each job.

Thank you ...
Some of the definitions on this page were provided by Ecara Business Products Inc., St. Laurent, Quebec.