How to Connect your Clock - Punch Z14

Your hotel will be switching to a new Hotel Effectiveness time clock soon.  Your time clock needs to connect with our server to allow your employees’ punches to post.  Prior to your first day using this new time clock, it’s extremely important that you test your new time clock to ensure it can connect through your hotel’s network to our server. 

Choosing a Location for Your Time Clock

Your time clock requires access to a power outlet and a network Ethernet port.  The Ethernet port must be open to allow the clock to connect to the internet.  If you already have an existing time clock that connects through the internet, you will probably use this same location for the new time clock.  If you do not already have an internet enabled time clock, you will need to locate a live Ethernet port and power connection (or have one installed).

Testing Your Time Clock Connection

You should do this as soon as possible

1. Unplug your current existing clock from the Ethernet port (if applicable).
2. Plug the power supply and the Ethernet cord into the new time clock.
3. Plug the power supply and the Ethernet cord into the wall.
4. The time clock will power up and display the main screen showing the time and the date (don’t worry if the time and date are not correct, they’ll update automatically once the clock connects).
5. Press the ‘9’ button on the time clock, which will cause it to transmit and attempt to connect with our server.  If the clock connects successfully, the clock will display the following:

• “TRANSMIT DATA”
• “CONNECTING TO SERVER”
• “TRANSMITTING”
• “RECEIVING”
• “UPDATING”
• “FINISHED”

Tip:  If you’re not sure if the time clock connected, you can press the ‘9’ key to try to transmit again.

Basic Troubleshooting:  What if the time clock did not connect successfully?

Normally, if your clock did not connect successfully, it is because either the Ethernet port is not active or there is a network restriction that is preventing your time clock from getting access to the internet.  

• You should confirm that the Ethernet port and cord you are using are working successfully.  The easiest way to do this is to connect a laptop other computer to the same Ethernet cord and Ethernet port and verify that the device has internet connectivity using this connection.  If your computer cannot access the internet using this same connection, it likely means that there is something wrong with your Ethernet port or your Ethernet cord and you should contact your network administrator to make sure that the port is active.
• If the Ethernet port and cord are working correctly with another device, you will most likely see an error message (e.g. Cannot Connect 146, Cannot Connect 148, No ENQ from Host, Connection Timed Out).  These errors usually mean that your network has a restriction preventing the clock from connecting to the network.  Commonly, these include firewalls or log-in/authentication screen.  Try these items first:

1. Update Connection Settings on Time Clock:

1. On the main screen, press the ‘*’ button and then, ‘2-6-6-3.’
2. The clock will display the ‘TCP/IP Options’ screen. Press the ‘1’ button.
3. Message will display, “Clock uses DHCP to obtain settings automatically over network.” ‘1- Show Lease’ or ‘2 – Change’ DO NOT PRESS 1 or 2. You will pressthe ‘3’ button.  (This is a hidden menu item)
4. Clock will display message, “This will wipe out any static IP settings you have configured.” Press the ‘OK’ button then press the ‘X’ button to return to main screen.
5. Press the ‘9’ button to transmit.If successful, please follow the directions on ‘How to Conduct a Test Punch’
6. If you receive any error message, proceed to the next step.

2. Reset Router & Time Clock:

1. Reset the router on the network that the clock is connected to (typically by unplugging the power for 20 seconds). Be sure that all cables are snug and secure.
2. Unplug the power cable from the clock for 20 seconds, then plug it back in.
3. Once the clock powers up and is back to the main screen, press the ‘9’ button on the clock to transmit.
4. If successful, please follow the directions on ‘How to Conduct a Test Punch’

Advanced Troubleshooting – Requires Network Administration Access

If the time clock is still not connecting successfully, normally there is either a firewall or login/splash screen that needs to be bypassed or your network requires that new devices be assigned their own static IP address.  To troubleshoot either of these options, you will likely need to contact your network administrator or internet provider.  It may be helpful to provide these instructions to them.

• Please let your Network Administrator or person who manages your hotel’s network know that you are going to have a new time clock installed at the property and that it will be connecting through an Ethernet line. Our clocks support DHCP (“plug and play”), but the hotel’s firewall may be preventing connections of this type.
• First, ask the administrator if they can make an exception to allow or ‘Whitelist’ the MAC address of the time clock so the clock can be allowed on the network and to bypass the firewall, splash screen, or login screen.  The MAC address of the time clock is on the first page at the top of these instructions.  You may also need to mention the port numbers the clock uses to connect are TCP ports 8288 and 8289 - these need to be open for ‘Outbound Access.’ 
• After the MAC Address is added as an ‘Exception’ or have it ‘Whitelisted’ on the network, press ‘9’ on the clock to see if it is able to connect. If the time clock connects, please follow the directions on ‘How to Conduct a Test Punch’
• If you still receive an error message, it's likely that your network requires static IP addresses for a device to connect.   You will need to request that your network administer assign a Static IP address for the time clock.  You will need to have your network administrator provide you the Static IP address, the Default Gateway, and the Subnet Mask.  These numbers will need to be entered into the time clock.  Follow the instructions below when these items are given to you.

Entering a Static IP Address into Your Time Clock

1. Plug your time clock into the Ethernet port
2. Press * (you will see "System Info" on the clock) and enter: 2663 thenpress OK (you will see "Network Setup").
3. Press 1 to select TCP/IP settings. The clock should say it is currently DHCP enabled.
4. Press 2 to change TCP/IP options from DHCP enabled to Static IP.
5. Press OK to proceed.Note:   Use the * key as the "period" when entering information below
6. Enter the Static IP address provided by your administrator, press OK.
7. Enter Subnet Mask, press OK.
8. Enter Default Gateway, press OK.
9. Enter Primary DNS, press OK. (if not provided enter  0.0.0.0)
10. Enter Secondary DNS, press OK. (if not provided enter  0.0.0.0)
11. Press OK to save TCP/IP settings.
12. Press OK again to confirm configuration. 
13. Press X twice to exit.

You will now verify your clock is successfully connected to the network by pressing the '9' key to force it to transmit the data to our server. You should see a ‘Successful’ connection message.  

Note:  If your network administrators requests our IP addresses, the clocks connect directly to our clock server at the following IP addresses: 208.72.167.2 and 166.70.147.9.  DO NOT ENTER these IP addresses into the time clock.