How to Use Time Tracking

Time tracking in TARGPatrol is a simple way to record when employees start work, finish work, and take breaks while staying connected to a real location.

Instead of using a separate time clock system, you can organize time tracking through check-ins. Employees check in when they arrive at work, and that check-in becomes the start of their shift. When the shift is over, they finish the check-in in the mobile app. If breaks are needed, they can check out before the break and check in again when they return.

This approach is especially useful for security teams, cleaning companies, facility services, and other field-based operations where employees need to confirm attendance at a specific place.

How time tracking works in TARGPatrol

TARGPatrol uses Points and Check-ins to support time tracking.

First, you create a Point in the place where employees should begin their shift. This Point can be one of the following types:

• GPS Point

• QR Point

• NFC Point

The type you choose depends on how you want attendance to be confirmed.

A GPS Point works well when employees only need to be physically present in a specific area. A QR or NFC Point is useful when you want them to scan a code or tag at the exact shift start location.

Once the Point is set up, employees use the mobile app to check in there at the beginning of their workday.

That check-in marks the start of the shift.

Step 1: Create a Point for shift start

To use time tracking, start by creating a Point at the place where the employee should begin work.

For example, this can be:

• the entrance of a building

• a reception desk

• a security room

• a cleaning supply room

• a warehouse entry point

• any assigned work area

You can choose GPS, QR, or NFC depending on your process.

If you want the easiest setup, GPS Points are a practical option. If you want stricter confirmation at a very specific physical spot, QR or NFC may be better.

The main idea is simple: the Point becomes the place where the shift officially starts.

Step 2: Employee checks in to start the shift

When the employee arrives, they open the TARGPatrol mobile app and perform a check-in at the assigned Point.

The beginning of that check-in is treated as the shift start.

This gives you a clear and recorded start time linked to a real location. It also helps reduce uncertainty around attendance because the system ties the start of work to a verified Point.

You can also make the shift start check-in more useful by adding a checklist with required questions. This allows employees to confirm important details before they begin work.

For example, you can ask:

• is the uniform clean

• do you have all required tasks

• do you have the necessary equipment

• are there any issues to report before starting

• what is your mood or readiness for the shift

This can help supervisors collect quick daily confirmations, spot problems earlier, and make sure employees are prepared before the shift begins.

For teams working across multiple client sites or locations, this makes shift tracking much easier to control.

Step 3: Finish the check-in to end the shift

When the employee finishes work, they can simply finish the check-in in the mobile app.

That action marks the end of the shift.

As a result, you get a clear time period between shift start and shift end. This can be used to review attendance, working time, and presence on site.

This flow is simple for employees because they do not need to learn a separate process. They only need to start the check-in when work begins and finish it when work ends.

How to organize breaks

If your workflow includes breaks, you can manage them with the same logic.

Before a break, the employee checks out by finishing the current check-in.

When they return to work, they check in again in the mobile app.

This creates a practical way to separate working time from break time without adding extra complexity.

For example:

• employee checks in at 8:00 AM

• employee finishes check-in at 12:00 PM for lunch

• employee checks in again at 12:30 PM

• employee finishes check-in at 5:00 PM

In this case, the break is naturally separated from the active work periods.

Step 4: Build a timesheet report

After employees use check-ins to record shift starts, shift ends, and breaks, you can build a timesheet report to review their working hours.

This gives managers a simple way to see employee attendance and total time worked based on actual check-in activity.

A timesheet report can help you:

• review shift start and end times

• calculate worked hours

• track attendance across locations

• compare activity by employee

• prepare internal payroll or operational summaries

Because the report is based on check-ins linked to Points, it gives you a clearer view of when and where employees started work.

Why this method works well

Using check-ins for time tracking has a few important advantages.

First, it connects attendance to a real place. This is especially important for distributed teams, contract staff, guards, cleaners, and mobile workers.

Second, it keeps the process simple. Employees do not need a complicated time tracking system. They just use the same mobile app they already use for their field work.

Third, it gives managers a clearer picture of on-site activity. Shift start, shift end, and break-related check-ins are all part of the operational workflow.

Best use cases for time tracking in TARGPatrol

This setup works especially well for:

• security guard shifts

• cleaning staff attendance

• facility maintenance teams

• reception and front desk staffing

• warehouse or logistics site attendance

• contractors working at specific client locations

In all of these cases, the key benefit is the same: employees confirm that they are at the right place when work begins.

Tips for setting it up

To make time tracking work smoothly, keep these points in mind:

Choose the right Point type for your process. If you need convenience, use GPS. If you need stricter physical confirmation, use QR or NFC.

Place Points clearly. Employees should know exactly where the shift starts.

Explain the workflow simply. Start check-in when beginning work. Finish check-in when ending work. For breaks, finish and start again.

Keep the process consistent. Using the same method across teams makes reporting and supervision easier.