The OTC Fingerprint Reader is OnTheClock.com’s fingerprint login option. With this option, the employee places their registered finger(s) on the reader to securely log them in to punch in or out for the day. This option eliminates buddy punching and also requires the employee to be at the company facility to punch in or out, thereby eliminating the chance that they will punch in or out at home or on the road. The Fingerprint Reader replaces the employee's Username and Password and still requires the employee to click on the Punch In/Out button to actually punch in/out.
Requirements for the Fingerprint Reader
A computer or tablet with a Windows operating system, and a USB (type-A) port for the fingerprint reader to plug into. The fingerprint reader software only works in a Windows operating system.
If you purchase a Fingerprint Reader Online it MUST be a Digital Persona U.are.U 4500 Fingerprint or an HID Digital Persona 4500 reader. No other reader will work with our system.
We do recommend you buy a new reader so you do not have any problems. Used readers, if they are older may not function with the software.
Purchasing a Reader
You can purchase a reader Online. You will also need to download the software from us, which includes the Fingerprint Reader software and the Driver for it. The software can be downloaded here. The software will only work on a Windows-based computer that has a free standard-sized USB port. We also recommend you download the Quick Install Guide and the Maintenance Guide which is in the same area of the Help section. The cost of the software is free.
OnTheClock Cost
This is a Premium Service provide by OnTheClock.com and is an additional cost of $0.50 per employee per month above the standard pricing per employee for accounts with 3 or more employees.
Can I use more than one fingerprint reader?
You can use as many fingerprint readers as you need for your company's needs. You can only use one per PC or tablet. You just need to register the employee's fingerprint on one reader and it is available for all of them.
Online Sources for Purchasing the Fingerprint Reader
Newegg
B&H Photo
Walmart Online
Fulcrum Biometrics
Amazon
Minimum Requirements
- A computer or tablet running any version of Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10
- A USB port
- Internet access
- Your OnTheClock.com Account Key (To find your account key you need to log in as the administrator of your account. Click on Time Clock Settings and you will find your account key in the Options section.)
- NOTE: You must install the software as the administrator of the computer. The software will not install for a user with standard access.
Download the Software
- Click here to download the required software
- Plug in the Fingerprint Reader into a USB port
- If Found New Hardware starts, cancel it
- Run the FingerPunchSetup.exe you downloaded as the administrator of the computer
- Follow the instructions and when it is finished it will ask you to set your account key
- Click on OK
- The Settings window will come up and you put your account key in the space provided and click on Save Settings. (You can copy and paste it in) (To find your account key you need to log in as the administrator into your Ontheclock.com account. Click on Time Clock Settings and you will find your account key in the Options section.)
- Reboot the computer.
- Click on the OTC FingerPunch Icon
- Hover over the blue bar and click on Change Settings
- You will need to put in your administrator password in the field and click on OK
- Double click on an employee
- Click on Turn On
- Click on Add Fingerprint
- Have the employee put their finger on the scanner
- You can add additional fingerprints for each employee (At least one from each hand is recommended as a preventative measure in case their finger is injured.)
- Click on Done
- Then add additional employees the same way
- When you have finished close the Settings by clicking on the Red X in the top right corner
Employee Instructions
- Place a finger on the reader
- Internet Explorer will open up with you logged in
- Click on Punch In (or Punch-Out)
- Confirm Punch In / Out
- You can leave Internet Explorer up if other employees need to punch in
Care and Maintenance
How rugged is the reader?
The reader was designed for PC use, not for use outdoors or in unattended public installations which are subject to vandalism and abuse. It is warranted for used in an office environment as a PC/network access peripheral. When used in conditions and environments similar to this, the reader provides high performance and reliability. See question 6 for instructions on cleaning.
Do I need to clean my reader to keep it working well?
Depending on the amount of use, the reader window may need to be cleaned from time to time. It will pick up dirt and salts from fingers.
Recommended Cleaning
- Apply the sticky side of a piece of adhesive cellophane tape to the window and then peel it away, OR
- Gently dab the fingerprint reader window with a cloth that has been dampened with a mild ammonia-based (not alcohol-based) glass cleaner, such as Windex. (Do not use paper!)
Never Do the Following
- Clean the reader window with paper
- Pour glass cleaner directly on the reader window
- Use alcohol-based cleaners
- Submerge the reader in liquid
- Do not poke the window coating with your fingernail or any other item, such as a pen
If a scratch or smear on the glass occurs, does this reduce performance? What is the repair procedure if a failure occurs?
Scratches, pokes, or other physical damage to the window coating can compromise the system’s ability to recognize fingerprints. Such damage cannot be repaired. You will need to replace the reader.
Will the build-up of dust on the reader window reduce performance?
A small amount of dust on the reader window will not cause problems. A large amount of dust may make it more difficult to read the fingerprint. Dust can easily be removed by applying the sticky side of a piece of adhesive cellophane tape on the window and peeling it away.
Why doesn’t the system recognize my fingerprint?
Dry fingers sometimes cause the reader to fail. Using hand lotion or rubbing your finger on your forehead before placing it on the reader sometimes helps. If this does not help, try registering your fingerprint again.
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Problem: Fingerprint reader does not read fingerprints anymore.
How do you clean the fingerprint reader? If you are using any type of cleaning solution, paper towels or rags then you are destroying the lens of the reader. Any cleaning solution will change the property of the lens and using a towel to clean it will scratch the surface which will distort the way it reads the fingerprints. The proper way to clean the reader is to use scotch tape to clean the reader. Damaged readers would need to be replaced.
Another solution is to have the employee rub their finger on their forehead before using the reader. During the winter months and dryer climates, the human fingerprint will shrink up making it difficult for the reader to read it. Rubbing the finger on the forehead adds a little oil to their finger which will expand out the fingerprint and make it easier to read.
Problem: The software does not recognize the reader.
This could be because the driver is corrupt. You need to remove both the Digital Persona software and the OnTheClock FingerPunch software, reboot the computer and reinstall the software.
Problem: Difficulty with installing the software.
We have found that some firewall and anti-virus software may hinder installing the software.
Temporarily turn off your firewall software and antivirus software before installing the FingerPunch software. Note: If you already attempted to install then you would need to remove both the Digital Persona and the OnTheClock Fingerpunch software from the computer, reboot and then try again after disabling the firewall and antivirus software.
Problem: The fingerprint reader has a problem of accessing the web page.
Whitelist service.ontheclock.com in your firewall settings.
Problem: Trouble installing fingerprint reader "Error 1422".
We have found that some Firewall and Anti-Virus software may hinder installing the software.
Problem: IE shuts down immediately.
We found a posting online that talked about changing the "Use Software Rendering instead of GPU Rendering" in the Advanced Internet Options screen. This affects the video interface. Changing this setting did solve the problem and the fingerprint reader is now able to access IE.
Problem: "OnTheClock has stopped working".
If you get this message it could possibly be that it is a computer glitch or the program may be corrupt. Try troubleshooting as follows.
- Reboot the computer.
- Open up IE (Internet Explorer) and delete the history and cache. Then close the web browser (IE).
If it continues to not work then you will need to uninstall the software and reinstall it.
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Sometimes it becomes necessary to re-install the software if it becomes corrupt. So the following is the process to reinstall the Fingerprint Reader software. Note: You must follow the instructions to properly uninstall and reinstall the software or the software may not work.
Uninstall
- You would first need to uninstall both the Digital Persona U.are.U RTE software as well as the Ontheclock.com Finger Punch software
- Go to your Control Panel to uninstall the software
- When it gives you the list of programs you first uninstall the Digital Persona U.are.U RTE software
- After it is uninstalled Do Not reboot the computer at this time if it suggests it
- Then you uninstall the Ontheclock.com Finger Punch software
- You will then need to reboot your computer. This will finish uninstalling both software programs
- Then once the computer is back up you have to sign on as the administrator of the Computer (not as a standard user) before you can re-install the software (If you try to install the software as a Standard user it will fail to work)
Reinstall
- You would first need to uninstall both the Digital Persona U.are.U RTE software as well as the Ontheclock.com Finger Punch software
- Go to your Control Panel to uninstall the software
- When it gives you the list of programs you first uninstall the Digital Persona U.are.U RTE software
- After it is uninstalled do not reboot the computer at this time if it suggests it
- Then you uninstall the Ontheclock.com Finger Punch software
- You will then need to reboot your computer. This will finish uninstalling both software programs
- Then once the computer is back up you have to sign on as the administrator of the computer (not as a standard user) before you can re-install the software (If you try to install the software as a standard user it will fail to work)
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