Adding Reader Groups

The WB5500 must belong to a reader group in the WFM application. A reader group, which contains employees and clocks, determines which employees can use the WB5500 to perform clock punches. Only the employees in the same reader group as a clock can use the clock to perform punches. If the WFM application does not have any reader groups, you must add at least one. One clock can belong to only one reader group at any given time.

There are several aspects to consider when determining how many reader groups to add in the WFM application. For performance reasons, create multiple reader groups. Each clock in the reader group downloads all the relevant data for the reader group. The larger the reader group (the more employees, the more transactions), the longer the WB5500 takes to update the database. Multiple reader groups may also be required for security reasons. Employees are allowed to perform clock punches on any clock in their reader group. If certain employees must be restricted to clocking in and out with specified clocks, assign those employees and clocks to their own reader group.

Generally, you create reader groups based on the location and grouping of the clocks. You will require at least one reader group per site. Often creating multiple reader groups for different areas in one location is necessary. For example, at a large facility, you might want all the clocks by the north entrance in one reader group. If you then assign all the employees whose work stations are located closest to the north entrance to that reader group, the employees can clock in and out using the nearest clocks.

To add reader groups: