Feature Comparison
This comparison the features in the following comparison are organized by function. For example, all of the features related to employees using the clock are grouped in one section and features related to editing the time cards are grouped together. The Site Search can be used to find particular features. ShopClock and ShopClock Plus differ on the highlighted features.
ShopClock Widow
For the employees, the ShopClock window is the main window. Depending on how ShopClock is configured, anyone with access to this window can tell who is: On Break, At Lunch, or currently Clocked In. But, the power of this window isn’t really available until the employee opens their time card.
The Admin Window
The Admin Window is ShopClock’s control center. All of ShopClock’s administration tasks can be accomplished from here. The Admin Window is password protected and can be accessed from any ShopClock client by clicking on the Golden Padlock.
The Admin window is divided into two panels. The panel on the left contains the task menu. The main panel, on the right, contains the tools related to the currently selected task. The currently selected task and buttons for accessing the online manual or requesting logon help are displayed in the title pane at the top of the main panel. The Currently Employee is displayed in the pane beneath the title pane.
- Add/Edit/Select Employees
- Process the Pay Period
- Examine/Edit Pay Periods
- Managed Time Calendars
- Accrual Wizard
- Department Setup
- Misc/Lunch/Break Settings
- Management Reports
- Attendance Tracking
- Admin Passwords and Audit Trail
- Backup/Restore the database
- Export File Customization
- Network Setup.
Accessing the time cards
The primary goal is, of course, for employees to easily find their time cards, verify their identity, and complete their business. But this area is also where access to the time cards can be restricted. For example, if you have multiple stores or locations you may want only those employees working at each location to have access to their time cards at that location, but also want to be able to examine and process the time cards for all the locations from any location.
| Features Related to Accessing the Time Cards | ShopClock |
ShopClock Plus |
|---|---|---|
Each ShopClock computer on the network can list a different subset of employees. The following subsets are available.
|
Yes |
yes |
Type of Employee authentication available
|
Yes |
Yes |
Employees can find their time cards by typing the first few letters of their name into the filter bar above the employee list. |
Yes |
Yes |
Scroll bars are automatically activated when needed |
Yes |
Yes |
Employee names can be displayed as First/Last or Last/First |
Yes |
Yes |
The Size of the buttons can be changed. Hint: bigger buttons are easier for employee to click on, but fewer names can be displayed without scrolling or using the filter bar. |
Yes |
Yes |
The Time Card
The basic requirements for the time clock software is that it be easy to use, provide useful information, and be highly reliable. The time card, what it contains and how it is organized, is central to fulfilling these requirements.
| Time Card Features | ShopClock |
ShopClock Plus |
|---|---|---|
Each row of the time card is a single session with both a clock in time and a corresponding clock out time. There can be many sessions per day, and there are various kinds or types of sessions. |
Yes |
Yes |
Each Time Clock session (row) contains these columns:
|
Yes |
Yes |
|
No |
Yes |
ShopClock has message system which allows the employees and the administrator to communicate with each other about time card issues. This system, includes:
|
Yes |
Yes |
Time Card Analysis adds up the hours on the time card, calculates any over time and displays:
|
Yes |
Yes |
Time Card Analysis also displays the number of hours (regular and overtime) for each Department and Shift. |
No |
Yes |
Editing: The time card can’t be edited by the employee, but can by any supervisor with the correct password |
Yes |
Yes |
After Opening the Time Card
For the employee, opening the time card is like logging in. Once the time card is open there are several things the employee can do.
| Things to do after opening the time card | ShopClock |
ShopClock Plus |
|---|---|---|
With the time card open the employee can
|
Yes |
Yes |
Clocking In and Out
Once the time card has been opened the employee can clock in or out by clicking on the ShopClock button located above the time card.
Basically, if the employee is currently clocked out, clicking on the button will clock them in. If they are currently clocked in, then they will be clocked out. But, of course there are optional features.
| Features related to Clocking In | ShopClock |
ShopClock Plus |
|---|---|---|
The time always comes from the Server, not the local computer. |
Yes |
Yes |
Clicking on the ShopClock button
|
Yes |
Yes |
When clocking in, the employee is asked to select the department and shift. |
No |
Yes |
ShopClock Plus has SnapTo options that can be configured for the start and end of each shift. This option is not available in ShopClock because ShopClock does not have shifts. |
No |
Yes |
If the SnapTo Option for the start of the shift is turned on and an employee clocks in before the shift starts, they will be clocked in when the shift starts. |
No |
Yes |
If the SnapTo option for the start of the shift is not turned on employees will be clocked in when they click on the ShopClock button. |
Yes |
Yes |
| Features related to Clocking Out | ShopClock |
ShopClock Plus |
|---|---|---|
The time always comes from the Server, not the local computer. |
Yes |
Yes |
The At Lunch Option. If this option is enabled, when employees clock out they are asked if they are clocking out for lunch or for the day. If they clock out for lunch, the current session is ended and an At Lunch session is started. |
Yes |
Yes |
Employees can be prevented from clocking back in until their lunch period is over or they can be allowed to clock back in whenever they want. |
Yes |
Yes |
The At Lunch option can be configured separately for each department and shift. |
No |
Yes |
At Lunch time is not added to time or hours worked. |
True |
True |
The Lunch/Break option will add a Lunch/Break session to any day when the employee worked more than X hours without taking a lunch break. The Lunch/Break session is negative and subtracts time from the hours worked. The Lunch/Break option can be used with or without the At Lunch option. |
Yes |
Yes |
The On Break option is optional. If enabled, employees are asked if they are clocking out for a break when they clock out. If yes, then after closing the current session ShopClock starts an On Break session. When the employee returns and clocks back in the On Break session is ended. But the length of the break never exceeds the allow amount. It may be less if the employee returns early. The On Break hours are added to hours worked and count towards over time. |
Yes |
Yes |
The On Break option can be configured separately for each department and shift. |
No |
Yes |
Using the SnapTo End of Shift option. If the SnapTo End of Shift option is turned on and the employee clocks out after the end of the shift the time out is snapped to the end of the shift. |
No |
Yes |
If the SnapTo end of shift option is turned off a grace period is enabled. If the employee clocks out after the end of the shift, but within the grace period the employee is just clocked out. But if the grace period is exceeded, the employee is asked when they actually left (in case they forgot to clock out) and why it was so late. This information is saved in a note accessible only by the administrator or supervisor and the session is TimeOut is set to the session TimeIn and colored blue to indicate that it is only a place holder. The administrator is alerted to the situation by ShopClock message system. |
No |
Yes |
Since ShopClock does not have shifts the SnapTo options are not available. The employees are allowed to clock in and out whenever.
|
Yes |
NA |
Requesting Time Off
Managed time is like vacation or sick time. It can be requested by the employee and requests can be approved or not by the administrator. It never counts towards overtime. There are journals which track every change in Vacation, Sick, PTO, and Uncompensated hours, and there are accrual wizards for Vacation, Sick, and PTO.
| Managed Time Features (Video) | ShopClock |
ShopClock Plus |
|---|---|---|
ShopClock supports the follow types of managed time off.
Unused types can be turned off or hidden. Managed time (except for Time Worked) is never counted towards overtime. |
Yes |
Yes |
Using the request system is optional. The Administrator can always add managed time to any time card without a request. |
Yes |
Yes |
Employees can request any type of time allowed except Holidays |
Yes |
Yes |
Time Requests include:
|
Yes |
Yes |
When an employee requests time off or the administrator examines the request, they are shown a list of other employees with time off on that same day listed in order of when the requests where made. |
Yes |
Yes |
Both pending and Approved time off requests are displayed on the calendar |
Yes |
Yes |
Approved requests automatically appear on the time cards when that date arrives. |
Yes |
Yes |
The Request Time Off dialogue used by the employees presents the following information:
|
Yes |
Yes |
The administrator is automatically alerted whenever a time of request is made. |
Yes |
Yes |
When the administrator reviews the request:
|
Yes |
Yes |
Use of the Accrual System is optional. |
Yes |
Yes |
The Vacation, Sick, and PTO (or any combination of them) can be completely customized for each employee and includes the follow:
|
Yes |
Yes |
1. The Add/Edit/Select Employees
The center of the Admin Window is the Add/Edit/Select Employee Grid. When first opened this grid displays all of the Active Employees listed in alphabetical order by their last name. (Active employees are employees who can use ShopClock to clock in and out.)
New employees can be added in the Add Row located at the bottom of the grid or imported from QuickBooks by clicking on the Import Employees from QuickBooks button below the grid.
Any of the information can be edited at any time by clicking in the desired cell, making the edits, and then clicking on the row above or below to save the changes.
Many of the reports and functions can be applied to “All Listed” employees. The filter bar allows employees to be filtered by any column. For example, normally only the Active employees are listed because the “Active” column in the filter bar is set to “Yes”. The department column can be used to list only employees belonging to any particular department. Reports can then be run for just that department or perhaps holiday hours can be scheduled for just that department.
a Status Bar located above the grid notifies the Administrator of various time card issues.
| Status Bar Buttons | ShopClock |
ShopClock Plus |
|---|---|---|
Time Off Requests. Shows the number of pending Time Off Requests. If clicked on employees with time off requests are highlighted in yellow. |
Yes | Yes |
Clock Out Errors. This button shows the number of Clock Out Errors that need to be corrected. Clicking on the button highlights the employees with clock out errors in yellow. |
Yes | Yes |
Call Lights On. This button show the number of call lights that employees have turned on. Whenever an employee adds a note to a time card session they have the option of turning on that notes call light to attract the administrators attention. Clicking on this button highlights employees with call lights on in yellow |
Yes | Yes |
Edit Positions. used to control which departments the employee can work in. |
No | Yes |
| Employee Information Contained in the Grid | ShopClock |
ShopClock Plus |
|---|---|---|
First Name |
Yes |
Yes |
Last Name |
Yes |
Yes |
Middle Initial |
Yes |
Yes |
Password (up to 8 characters long and case sensitive). Using a password prevents hurried employees from accidentally clocking someone else in or out. Since this password is used often we suggest that it be an easy password like their initials. Employees can change it to something else if they wish. If buddy punching is an issue, use a finger print scanner. |
Yes |
Yes |
Employees can edit their own passwords |
Yes |
Yes |
The Administrator can view and edit employee passwords |
Yes |
Yes |
Groups can be used to specify who can clock in and out of any particular computer. Each computer can host a single group and each employee can belong to 20 groups. There can be up to 36 different groups. |
Yes |
Yes |
Status This is a total optional column which can be used to sort or filter employees as desired. |
Yes |
Yes |
Active. Active employees can clock in and out. In active employees cannot. When an employee leaves make them inactive. There is no limit to the number of inactive employees. The number of active employees depends on your current subscription. Inactive employees can be reactivated. |
Yes |
Yes |
At Lunch. ShopClock can be configured to prevent employees from clocking in until their lunch period is over. This button can be used to over ride that option and let the employee clock in immediately. |
Yes |
Yes |
Date Hired. This is optional, unless the accrual system is set to use an accrual year base on the employee employment date |
Yes |
Yes |
Social Security Number. This is optional unless you are exporting data to QuickBooks. |
Yes |
Yes |
Employee Number. This is an optional field. It can be included in the export file to identify the employee. |
Yes |
Yes |
Phone. This is optional, but there is a phone list report which may be useful. |
Yes |
Yes |
Cell Phone. This is optional, but there is a phone list report. |
Yes |
Yes |
Birth date. Totally optional, but there is report. |
Yes |
Yes |
Wage. Optional. If used the Gross Pay (wage times total hours) can be included in the time card report |
Yes |
No |
Salary Hours Per Pay Period. Employees can be salaried, but still clock in and out for attendance tracking and to use the time off request system. If any salary hours are found when the data is exported only the salary hours and the manage time like vacation, PTO, etc is exported. If Salary Hours are present the clock time is not exported. |
Yes |
Yes |
Departments. Employees can be assigned to a home department by selecting the desired department from the drop down list. |
Optional |
Required |
The department info can be used by the employee when requesting time off to show possible conflicts with other employees working in the same department. |
Yes |
Yes |
The department info can be used by the Administrator when approving time off requests to reveal scheduling conflicts with other employees working in the same department. |
Yes |
Yes |
This task has some additional buttons located below the grid.
ShopClock |
ShopClock Plus |
|
|---|---|---|
Import Employees from QuickBooks is used to import the employee list from QuickBooks |
Yes | Yes |
Toggle Filter Bar On/Off |
Yes | Yes |
Print Employee List |
No | Yes |
Edit Positions. used to control which departments the employee can work in. |
No | Yes |
2. Pay Period Processing
Processing a pay period consists of the following steps or phases:
- Deal with any time clock issues (missed and forgotten punches)
- Deal with time off requests
- Verify that the time card data is correct (print time cards – get signatures).
- Print final report
- Export the data
- Close the pay period.
With the tools on the Pay Period Processing tab you can print the time card reports, export the data, and close the pay period (which can automatically run the accrual wizard). The first day of the work week and the overtime rules are also selected here.
Usually these tools are used from the top down.
- Start by selecting the pay period ending date
- Decide who will be included in the reports (Only the Current Employee or All Listed employees).
- Decide the report format
- Print and or preview the reports
- Export the data
- Close the pay period.
Pay Period Processing Features |
ShopClock |
ShopClock Plus |
|---|---|---|
Flexible Pay Period Dates. Whenever it’s time to process the pay period, just enter the closing date. Everything on the current time card through midnight of the closing date will be processed. Anything after that date will remain and be part of the next pay period’s time card. |
Yes |
Yes |
Select which employees to process. Process only the current employee or All Listed Employees. By using the filter bar on the Add/Edit Select grid you can choose to list only employees in a particular department or perhaps by using the Status Column only part time employees or salaried employees etc. |
Yes |
Yes |
Select either Decimal Hours or Hours/Minutes/Seconds. This selection applies only to reports run in the Admin window – The ShopClock window can use a different hour format. If using the Hours/Minutes/Seconds format, you can elect not to print the seconds. They are still used in all calculations. |
Yes |
Yes |
Select signature block style. The small block has a place for the employee to sign the time card. The large block has places for both the employee and a supervisor to sign the time card. |
Yes |
Yes |
The pay period processing reports can be run as often as desired. |
Yes |
Yes |
The Time Cards can be run for either the current employee or All Listed employees. See the Add/Edit/Select section to learn how to select the current employee or a subset of employees. |
Yes |
Yes |
The Summary Report is always based on All Listed employees |
Yes |
Yes |
The Department and Shift Analysis gives the totals hours (Regular and Overtime) worked for each shift in each department as well as the time off taken by each department. This is a summary report across all employees. |
No |
Yes |
The Selected Department Detailed Report provides an analysis (regular hours and overtime) for each employee who worked in the selected department. If the selected department is the employee’s home department the analysis also includes the time off data for that employee. |
No |
Yes |
Export To: |
|
|
|
Yes |
Yes |
|
Yes |
Yes |
|
No |
Yes |
|
Yes |
No |
Closing the Pay Period. Can be done for the Current Employee only or All Listed employees. This is done after the final reports have been printed and the data exported. All data on the current time card through midnight of the Pay Period Ends date is removed from the current time card and placed in a closed pay period. Closed pay periods can be viewed, edited, reprinted, and reopened by the administrator. The accrual system is based on closed pay periods. |
Yes |
Yes |
3. Managed Time (Time Off) Calendar Features
The Managed Time Calendar is one part of the ShopClock’s Managed Time system. This system provides:
- A calendar based time off request system used by employees to request time off and the administrator when approving time off requests.
- An accrual system for Vacation, Sick, and PTO hours.
- Journals for each employee to record how and when time is acquired and used.
- Approved time off is automatically added to the time cards.
Employees can make time off requests via the managed time calendar which is accessible to them while their time cards are open. The administrator can approve these requests via the managed time calendar located in the admin window.
| Managed Time (Time Off) Calendar Features | ShopClock |
ShopClock Plus |
|---|---|---|
Shows all the approved time off (Vacation, Sick, PTO, Uncompensated, Holidays, and Bereavement) for the employee requesting time off. |
Yes |
Yes |
Depicts which days other employees have off so they can schedule around each other. |
Yes |
Yes |
When requesting time off the employee can specify when during the day they need the time off. |
Yes |
Yes |
Employees can attach a note to the time off request. |
Yes |
Yes |
The administrator can add to or edit the note when servicing the request. |
Yes |
Yes |
The time off schedule can be printed for a single employee or any group of employees for any time period. |
Yes |
Yes |
The calendar also displays the number of Vacation, Sick, and PTO hours an employee has accrued, but not yet allocated. Clicking on these numbers brings up a journal which shows when time was accrued and when (and to which days) it has been allocated. The journal keeps a running total of these additions and subtractions. This total is the amount of time available for the employee to use. |
Yes |
Yes |
The total hours available can be negative if the employees use more time off than they have accrued. |
Yes |
Yes |
4. The Accrual Wizard
The Accrual Wizard is one part of ShopClock’s Managed Time system. This system provides:
- A calendar based time off request system used by employees to request time off and the administrator when approving time off requests.
- An accrual system for Vacation, Sick, and PTO hours.
- Journals for each employee to record how and when time is acquired and used.
- Approved time off is automatically added to the time cards.
The Accrual Wizard is optional. The rest of the managed time system can be used without using the Accrual Wizard.
| Accrual Wizard Features | ShopClock |
ShopClock Plus |
|---|---|---|
The Accrual Year can be based on the calendar year beginning January first or on a year based on the employee’s date of employment. |
Yes |
Yes |
The accrual process can be different for each employee and each type of time off (Vacation, Sick, or PTO). |
Yes |
Yes |
Time can be accrued as a fraction of the hours actually worked, or a fixed amount of time can be accrued each pay period. |
Yes |
Yes |
When accruing time based on how many hours an employee worked, overtime hours can be counted or not. |
Yes |
Yes |
A limit can be placed on the total number of hours accrued per year |
Yes |
Yes |
A limit can be placed on the total number of hours available at any one time to stop employees from accumulating large amounts of accrued time because they are not using it up each year. |
Yes |
Yes |
Accrued hours are entered into a journal or ledger (accessible by both the employee and the administrator). |
Yes |
Yes |
The Accrual Wizard is usually run as each pay period is closed, but can be run any time (and as often) the administrator chooses. For example, it can be run once a year. |
Yes |
Yes |
Each time the accrual Wizard is run it recalculates the accrued hours for the current accrual year. |
Yes |
Yes |
The Administrator can always add of delete time directly to/from the employees journal (ledger). |
Yes |
Yes |
The journal or ledger can be accessed (viewed and printed) by both the employee and the administrator, but only the administrator can edit it. |
Yes |
Yes |

