Use SAP? Expand Your Data Collection Options with TC-1

An incredible number of organizations use SAP for an impressive array of business and technological applications. However, there is often one area where SAP software systems could use improvement: data collection options, especially in regards to time clocks. SAP users are typically offered a limited selection of high-priced time clock options that may not best fit their unique needs.

To fix this problem, Datamatics Management Services, Inc. developed a way where businesses can expand SAP’s ability to collect vital timekeeping and workforce-related data. This is done using a component of TC-1, Datamatics’ flagship enterprise time and labor management system. This component is called TC-Server, a module that facilitates bi-directional, real-time communication between SAP and various data collection devices.

In essence, TC-1 works in tandem with SAP to manage the communication of timekeeping and labor data from your choice of data collection devices. All entries at these devices are validated and replicated to create redundancy. Devices can be standard identification card (i.e. barcode, proximity, RFID) readers, biometric time and attendance terminals, or PC-based applications.

The data flow process is simple. SAP is home to the master data source. This data includes employee information / demographics, cost center information, location, job codes and more. The master data source is sent to TC-1, allowing TC-1 to then validate entries (in terms of employee PIN, location and job code) at the card reader or biometric time and attendance terminal. As these entries are validated, they are instantly delivered to SAP as timekeeping and labor data.

By expanding your data collection options, you will be able to utilize devices that are priced at a much fairer market value - these devices cost less, yet offer greater functionality. Features can include visual validation at the time clock device, as well as the ability to open doors and ring bells. Additionally, employees can be prompted for up to seven user-definable cost fields and entries can be restricted by employee number, location and valid job codes.

This SAP data collection enhancement can be quickly and seamlessly implemented throughout your organization. Once an organization is using TC-1 in this fashion – as a data acquisition service – it can also begin to use a suite of workforce management features in TC-1. Functionality includes time and attendance, scheduling, job costing, project tracking, benefit accruals, time off tracking, access control, business analytics, managerial reporting, advance pay rule calculations and payroll interfaces.