Check-in and Check-out Methods
You decide per property which methods your employees use to check in and out. Check-in and check-out can be configured separately — for example check-in via NFC, check-out via app button.
:::tip Security? → NFC Tag For security services, NFC tags are the standard. They are tamper-resistant (physical proximity required), work offline and cost under 1 euro per tag. See the industry recommendation below. :::
:::info Concrete use cases Who scans when, which screen appears, and what happens if someone scans in the wrong property: QR & NFC Use Cases. :::
Method comparison
| Method | How it works | Hardware / Setup | Speed | Tamper resistance | Offline | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFC tag | Hold smartphone against an NFC tag attached to the location | NFC tags (~€0.50 each) glued on site | under 1 sec | High — physical proximity required, no photo or location spoofing possible | Yes | Security (standard), cleaning, janitorial |
| Kiosk (dynamic QR) | Employee scans the QR code on a tablet/screen at the location with their smartphone. The displayed code rotates regularly (roughly every three minutes). | Tablet, room PC or display + Wi-Fi | 2-3 sec | High — the code keeps rotating; a photographed code expires after a few minutes | Tablet needs network | Care (reception desk), schools, entrance areas |
| QR code (static) | Printed QR code at the location is scanned with the app camera | Printout (laminating recommended) | 2-3 sec | Low — code can be photographed | Yes | Low-friction attendance recording without high security requirements |
| Button click | Employee taps "Check in" / "Check out" in the app | None | Instant | Low — no on-site binding (unless geofencing is active) | Yes | Field service, trust-based teams |
| NFC scanner device | A permanently installed Bluetooth NFC reader at the property reads the employee chip | External NFC scanner + paired device | 1-2 sec | High — the chip must be physically present | Device must be paired | Fixed entrances with high throughput |
| Beacon (Bluetooth) | During check-in/check-out the app automatically verifies Bluetooth proximity to a beacon mounted at the property | BLE beacon at the property (battery-powered) | Automatic during check-in/out | High — physical proximity proof, no GPS needed | Yes — the check runs locally | Additional on-site proof without GPS, e.g. basements, halls |
| Automatic by zone | The app automatically checks the employee in as soon as they enter a time tracking zone with automatic check-in — only with the app active | Draw a time tracking zone with "Automatic check-in on entry" in the portal; the method is then enabled automatically | Automatic on entering | Location-based — multiple confirmations across several position reports | — | Properties with a drawn premises area; works in addition to QR/NFC/kiosk |
| Manual check-in (Portal) | Supervisor checks an employee in or out from the portal | None | — | Audit-logged (with supervisor name) | — | Corrections, sickness coverage, forgotten check-ins |
:::info Beacon is a proof layer The beacon is not a check-in method of its own, but a proximity proof on top of the button, QR and NFC methods: the actual check-in/check-out still happens via button, QR or NFC — the beacon additionally proves physical presence. The range is configurable per property (default: 3 m); the beacon is bound in the LiteLog app. Details: Beacon Range. :::
:::info External NFC scanner As a special case LiteLog also supports external NFC readers paired via Bluetooth. These are only used in high-security environments (e.g. hospitals, military facilities). Contact your account manager if needed. :::
:::info "Automatic by zone" is not selected manually The method "Automatic by zone" does not appear as a selectable option in the method configuration: LiteLog enables it on the property automatically as soon as a time tracking zone with "Automatic check-in on entry" active exists, and removes it again once the last such zone is gone. It works in addition to the configured methods — including on properties that require QR, NFC, or kiosk scans. Automatic check-in and check-out is logged as the method "Automatic by zone". Details: Automatic check-in. :::
Industry recommendation
:::tip Which method for which industry?
Security services: NFC tags are the standard. The employee must be physically at the tag — no manipulation via photo, app spoofing or location fake is possible. Tags are cheap (under 1 euro per piece), work offline and need no power supply on site. Typical setup: one NFC tag per property or per guard point.
Cleaning: NFC tags per room or floor. Combined with routes you get a complete room-by-room proof of work. Alternatively a static QR code at the cleaning supply room.
Care services: Kiosk at the reception desk or NFC per residential unit. Both options are GDPR-compliant and unobtrusive for residents. Kiosk works for central entrances, NFC for decentralised areas.
Janitorial services: NFC per property — faster than the app button when visiting many sites per day. Employees do not need to actively open the app.
Field service / service technicians: App button with active geofencing. The system automatically checks whether the employee is on site at check-in (ONSITE/OFFSITE). :::
Allow exceptions
Per property you can enable the options "Allow exceptions on check-in" and "Allow exceptions on check-out" separately. When active, employees can also check in or out with a method that is not enabled — but they must enter a reason, which is stored in the log.
Typical use case: NFC tag is damaged → employee checks in via app button with a reason, supervisor sees the note in the log.
Where do I configure the methods?
Per property under Master Data → Properties → select a property → "Time Tracking" → "Check-in / Check-out Method" accordion. There you make the basic choice "Button press" or "QR / NFC" for check-in and check-out; with "QR / NFC" you combine static QR code, NFC tag, and kiosk via multi-select. In the "Proof" section of the same accordion, you additionally choose the verification (No check / Geofencing / Beacon).
→ Full guide: Time Tracking (Property)
:::warning Incompatible combination Button click cannot be enabled together with NFC, QR code or kiosk — the basic choice between "Button press" and "QR / NFC" is mutually exclusive. Reason: button click does not enforce on-site presence and would defeat the other methods. The automatically enabled method "Automatic by zone" is exempt: it can exist alongside either basic choice. :::
Where do I bind NFC tags to my property?
NFC tags are written in the mobile app and assigned to a property or control point. Procedure:
- Open the mobile app → "Admin" tab → NFC Reader
- Scan a blank NFC tag
- Link the tag to the desired property / control point
→ Detailed guide: Manage Control Points (Mobile)
Where do I set up a kiosk?
Kiosk mode is also referred to as a stationary terminal — both terms mean the same thing: a fixed device at the location where employees check in. Kiosk devices are managed in the portal per property. You open the kiosk on any tablet, room PC or display in a browser — no extra app installation required.
→ Detailed guide: Kiosk Check-in
Which QR code do I use for time tracking?
For time tracking there is one specific QR code per property — and the system contains other QR codes that do not work here. This is the most common mix-up.
- Time-tracking QR (the right one): Download it in the property — at the top of the property header via the "QR code" button. Print it (laminating recommended) and post it at the entrance. This code represents this property and checks in/out for work time.
- Control-point QR (NOT for time tracking): The QR code of a control point belongs to routes and is only for the route scan. If an employee scans it to check in or out, it fails — it points to a control point, not to the property's time-tracking tag.
- Kiosk QR: The rotating QR on a kiosk screen — only relevant if you set up kiosk as a method. It is never printed.
In short: For time tracking, use the static time-tracking QR from the property's "QR code" button — not the control-point QR of the routes.
Why does the QR code not work?
If a scan is rejected during check-in/check-out, it is almost always one of these causes:
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| Wrong QR — it is a control-point QR (route), not a time-tracking QR | Use the QR from the property's "QR code" button. |
| QR method not enabled — in the "Check-in / Check-out Method" accordion, "QR code" is not activated for check-in/check-out | Enable QR code as a method — or use "Allow exceptions" (with a reason). |
| Time tracking disabled for the property | Enable the feature in the property's "Time Tracking" tab. |
| Outside the time window / blocked — check-in only within the check-in window; a blocked time window rejects scans | Check the shift's check-in window and blocked time windows. |
| Location lock (geofencing) — with active geofencing the scan must happen on site (ONSITE); OFFSITE is blocked | Scan directly at the property, with GPS/location permission active. |
| Kiosk QR expired — a kiosk code is valid for roughly five minutes. | Scan the code currently displayed on the screen again. |
| Static QR regenerated — after regeneration the old printout is invalid | Print and post the new time-tracking QR. |
:::tip Quick test Does a QR fail for one employee but work for others? Then it is usually the method/permission or the location (OFFSITE). Does it fail for everyone? Then it is usually the wrong QR (control point instead of time tracking) or time tracking is disabled for the property. :::
Permissions
| Action | Permission |
|---|---|
| Configure methods per property | Edit properties |
| Bind NFC tag to property | Create control points |
| Create / edit kiosk | Create kiosk / Edit kiosk |