This article lists some options for how to operate Timecards.
Manual
Make the drivers responsible for clocking in and clocking out. This option has the most precise time reporting as there is no better source of truth than a punch-in and punch-out as drivers pass through the security gate. However, this option does rely on drivers punching in at the correct time.
On the Settings page of your GroundCloud Management Portal:
Go to the Time Card Handling section.
Set the Enable geofence shift start to disabled.
Disable the automatic shift end functionality by setting the Auto-clockout distance to 0. This change makes the log out more accurate (because the system does not determine their final end of shift time based on geofence +buffer but makes it dependent on their “punch out”).
With these settings, drivers begin their shifts manually using the GroundCloud App or website on their tablet or personal device.
Set the expectation that the driver logs in to the app or GroundCloud.io and starts their shift by selecting start work when they are outside the security gate at the terminal.
Set the expectation that the driver logs in to the app or GroundCloud.io and ends their shift by selecting stop work when they are outside the security gate at the terminal.
Issues to watch for:
If a driver misses their log out, they are logged out at the 'Auto-clockout after' time set in the Timecard Handling section of your Settings page.
Once a driver arrives at the terminal or security gate, they should log in to the app or website and select the start work button. The app and site both show that the shift has started as soon as the button is pressed.
Automated
Allow the GroundCloud Driver App to clock drivers in and out automatically. Leave the default settings and have the drivers have a hands-free time-keeping experience. Remember:
Drivers do not have to punch a time clock manually.
This option should be used with an auto-clock-out buffer, as entry into the terminal geofence is not the end of the shift; the driver needs time to park and exit the building.
On the Settings page of your GroundCloud Management portal:
Go to the Timecard Handling section.
Set the Enable geofence shift start to enable.
Enable the automatic shift end functionality by setting Auto-clockout distance to an area that encompasses your terminal. Typically in the 500-600ft range, but the distance may require some testing.
Adjust Auto-clock out Padding and Clock In Padding. These values determine how much time passes after the driver has entered the terminal before they are auto-logged out.
With these settings, drivers do not have to punch in and out. Moreover, punches are recorded automatically based on the geofence and time buffer settings.
Issues to watch for:
If bad GPS data or accuracy exists, the automated features can experience failures and can fall back to other unexpected values.
Drivers may experience shift starts at the first package delivery if they never registered inside the terminal geofence.
The terminal is at risk of poor geolocation or bad service. Drivers may experience fallback shift ends if the terminal geofence is never detected.
If you have poor service and poor GPS coverage, you may need to train drivers to double-check that their shift has started at the correct time or enable Time Card Verification for them to check each day.
Turning off the tablet or force-closing the Driver App prior to passing through a geofence prevents location data from detecting that the geofence has been passed.
Note: Location-dependent features require the Driver App to be open and the device to have a cellular connection.