How to set up NFC clocking at your workplace
Prepare an NFC attendance rollout with a practical checklist for sticker placement, workplace assignment, phone testing, staff instructions and record review.
By The TeamZap Team · · 3 min read
In this guide
A good NFC rollout begins before the sticker goes on the wall. Choose the workplace, activate the tag through the supported TeamZap setup, test the full clocking journey and give staff a clear instruction for checking success.
The first trial should include clock out and manager review. Testing only the tap can miss problems that appear later in the working day.
1. Decide what the clocking point represents
Write down the workplace and staff group that will use the sticker. A tag at a restaurant staff entrance should lead to that restaurant’s attendance journey, not an old test location or a similarly named branch.
Decide who owns the setup. That person should be able to arrange tag activation, check the workplace assignment and help the shift manager find the resulting record. If you are unsure about obtaining or activating tags, contact TeamZap before placing a bulk order.
The software’s introductory offer does not mean NFC stickers are supplied free. Check the practical supply arrangements separately.
2. Choose a sensible position
Look at the entrance during an actual shift change. Staff should be able to stop briefly, hold their phone near the sticker and read their screen without obstructing an exit.
A suitable location is easy to find, well lit and comfortably reachable. Avoid placing it behind an opening door, above head height or beside equipment that makes the action awkward. Check the tag supplier’s guidance about mounting surfaces and test the chosen position before fixing the sticker permanently.
For a client site, agree the position with the person responsible for the premises. Do not assume that access to a building includes permission to attach signage.
3. Activate and check the workplace assignment
Use the supported TeamZap tag setup for your account. The key outcome is an activated tag associated with the intended workplace.
Keep a simple register:
| Field | Example to record |
|---|---|
| Workplace | Riverside café |
| Physical position | Inside staff entrance, right wall |
| Tag reference | The reference used in your setup records |
| Setup owner | The manager responsible for the trial |
| Trial date | The day both actions were tested |
These are example fields, not an export from a real business. Do not put employee details or private account credentials on the public sticker.
4. Test the whole journey
Use the supported phones your staff actually have. A trial should confirm that:
- The phone reads the sticker in its installed position.
- The correct journey opens.
- The employee can sign in where required.
- The workplace and intended action are clear.
- Clock in completes after confirmation.
- Clock out also completes.
- The manager can find and review both records.
If the screen does not show success, investigate before asking staff to repeat the action several times. Repeated attempts may make it harder to understand what happened.
5. Explain the routine in ordinary words
A short instruction beside the sticker can say:
Tap here with your supported phone. Check the workplace, confirm clock in or clock out, then check the result. If you cannot complete it, tell the shift manager.
Show the process during a staff briefing. Include new starters, staff who work occasional shifts and the night team. Do not rely on the first group to pass the instructions on informally.
Explain the alternative clocking route through the staff app and the correction process for a missing record. The fallback should be practical for someone whose phone is unavailable.
6. Review the first week
Ask managers to check incomplete records, incorrect workplaces and repeated staff questions. A missing clock out might point to an unclear end of shift instruction rather than an installation problem.
Keep the sticker clean and visible. If it moves or is replaced, repeat the workplace and record checks. Store the rollout instructions where the next manager can find them.
Explore NFC attendance in TeamZap, learn what the tap actually does and prepare a missing clock out review process.
Frequently asked questions
Where should an NFC sticker go?
At an accessible, well lit staff clocking point that does not obstruct movement. Test the mounting surface and actual phones before final placement.
What should I do before rolling it out to everyone?
Confirm activation and workplace assignment, test clock in and out, then check the resulting records with a manager.
