For any organization with shift-based employees, accurately tracking attendance is crucial, but manually sorting through punch-in and punch-out data can be a nightmare. Modern Human Resource Management (HRM) systems solve this with intelligent, rule-based automation. The configuration panel we're examining provides a clear window into how these systems work behind the scenes.

Under the Attendance module, allows administrators to set up rules that automatically classify raw clock-ins and clock-outs into meaningful categories like "Punch In," "Punch Out," "Break Start," and "Break End."

Step 01 - Navigate to the "Attendance Module", then go to Biometric Configuration.  Enable the Biometric Configuration by checking the box.

Note: This configuration can only be performed by users with SysAdmin access.

Step 02 -Upon enabling this option, the following configuration settings become available.

Attendance Classification Rules

Step 03 - Enable "Apply shift-based attendance record classification". 

Upon enabling this setting, the following configuration fields will become active, allowing you to define the time windows for automatic punch classification:

• Shift In: If an employee punches within 60 minutes before or after their scheduled shift start time, the system classifies it as their official "Punch In." This accommodates both early arrivals and latecomers. 
• Shift Out: Similarly, a punch within 60 minutes before or after the scheduled shift end time is classified as "Punch Out." 
• Break Start & End:  A punch within 30 minutes of a scheduled break start becomes "Break Out," and a punch within 30 minutes of the break end becomes "Break In."

Note: To ensure the system can accurately detect shift in, shift out, and break times,a Pay 
Code must be created and configured for these periods before setting up the shift-based
attendance classification rules.

Apply zigzag classification for attendance records

Step 04 - Locate the option labeled "Apply zigzag classification for attendance records". Check the box to enable this feature.

Once enabled, the system will automatically classify sequential punches in an alternating "In/Out" pattern, regardless of the time of day. The logic is as follows:

• The first unscheduled punch is classified as Punch In.
• The second unscheduled punch is classified as Punch Out.
• The third unscheduled punch is classified as Punch In, and so on.

Step 05 - Once you enable the "Apply zigzag classification for attendance records," the "Consider maximum duration for attendance records" option will appear.

You can then choose to either:

• Enable this option by checking the box to activate the rule.
• Leave it disabled if this rule is not required for your attendance policy.

This feature flags or prevents implausibly long, continuous punch records (e.g., a single "Punch In" to "Punch Out" period lasting an unreasonable number of hours), which may indicate a forgotten punch-out or a data error. 

Attendance Additional Rules

This section contains mandatory and optional rules that enforce data integrity and automate corrections for your attendance records.

1. Apply maximum shift duration (Required)
2. Apply minimum time gap between attendance records (Required)
3. Apply automatic adjustments of attendance records by time

Note: Rules 1 and 2 are mandatory rules that must be enabled for the attendance feature to 
function correctly.

Rule 3 is optional, based on your organizational preference.

1. Apply Maximum Shift Duration (Required)

Step 06 - Enable this rule to prevent the system from recording or validating shifts that exceed a predefined maximum length.

• Configuration: The system is configured with a maximum allowed shift duration of 720 minutes (12 hours). Any shift attempting to exceed this duration will be flagged or invalidated.

2. Apply Minimum Time Gap Between Attendance Records (Required)

Step 07 - Enable this rule to prevent duplicate or erroneous punch records from being created in quick succession.

• Configuration: The system enforces a minimum gap of 3 minutes between consecutive attendance records. Any punch attempted within 3 minutes of a previous punch will not be classified as a new, valid record.

3. Apply Automatic Adjustments of Attendance Records by Time

Step 08 - Enable this rule to streamline timesheet administration by automatically aligning employee punches with their scheduled times.

• Configuration: When enabled, if an employee punches in or out within a configured grace period of their scheduled time, the system will automatically adjust the recorded time to match the exact scheduled time. This ensures neat and consistent timesheets.