The TA520 Data Collection Terminal is a proven performer that can meet a variety of data collection needs. The TA520 allows several different forms of data input as well as three different forms of communication. The TA520 is user-programmable, allowing supervisor editing of its multi-level prompting. The TA520 is available in several different configurations to meet your data collection requirements.

Features & Options

+ Four methods of data input

Keypad - The most flexible method of entering data is certainly the keypad. Data can be limited to just numeric with or without a decimal point, or data can include all alphanumeric characters including some special characters and even spaces. Keypad input also provides a backspace/erase key to correct the input before completing the transaction.

Magnetic Stripe - Low energy Magnetic striped badges, similar to common credit cards, provide consistent and reliable data input. Magnetic striped photo ID badges are normally used for employee identification and provide accurate input of the employee ID number into the terminal. Magnetic striped cards can also be recycled, re-encoded, and used again.

Bar Code - Bar codes are becoming more and more the industry standard for quick and accurate entry of data. Bar code photo ID badges are normally used for employee identification as well as provide accurate input of the employee ID number into the terminal. Bar Codes are easily printed on many computer laser printers and can be affixed to most anything such as work orders, inventory parts, equipment/machines, and more.

Optional Bar Code Wand - The bar code wand is hand-held, attached on a six foot coiled cord. It may be used for entering data from various sources such as work orders, packing lists, and inventory parts.

Direct RS232 - Every terminal comes with a serial port. The serial port may be directly connected to the serial port on your host computer providing immediate access at any time. This is the most common communication connection. The terminal may be hundreds of feet away, depending upon the RS232 driver chip in your host computer. The Transaction Print option allows the terminal to be hooked to a serial printer allowing a supervisor to print out transaction lists at the terminal.

Modem - A 1200 baud internal modem provides for remote access by the host computer. The modem terminal must be connected to a telephone line using a standard RJ11 telephone plug. The host computer may use either an internal or external modem. Programming is allowed to set the terminal's answer time of day and ring delay. If you wish to communicate faster than 1200 baud, every terminal can have an external modem connected to the terminal's serial port.

RS485 Local Area Network (LAN) - The LAN interface allows many terminals on one host computer connection. Time America's RS485 LAN is a Local Area Clock Network. The clock network is controlled from your computer's serial port using a single twisted pair wire. The characteristics of the RS485 allow the total length of the network to be up to one mile when using an internal RS485 card. The LAN also provides a direct connection with immediate access at any time. Multiple remote clocks in the same location may be supported using the Time America Smart Converter. At the remote site, an external modem is connected to the Smart Converter's serial port, and communications pass through the Smart Converters RS485 port.

The TA520 allows for the entry of a missed transaction. Using a special supervisor badge, the terminal enters "supervisor" mode, in which any transaction can be entered for the employee at the time that it should have occurred. The supervisor mode also allows you to recall and delete previous employee transactions by date, time and employee number. From the terminal the supervisor can print out all transactions stored in the terminal, all transactions for an single employee, all transactions for a specific date, or print all transactions for one particular function key.

The TA520 terminal has an internal Lithium battery which keeps your data safe even if the power is out for months. Many other clocks stop keeping time or lose time all together when the power goes out for any length of time. The TA520's internal battery not only holds the memory, but keeps the time and calendar accurate. With the addition of the optional external battery backup, all functions are 100% operational if power is removed. Once power resumes, the battery automatically recharges. With the TA620 terminal, your collected data is no longer at the mercy of your utility company.

It has been proven that audible tones often help to emphasize how instructions are being followed. This is why the TA520 has two distinct accept/reject tones. When an employee does not follow proper terminal operation, they not only receive an error message, but also a long and low error tone. Every correct entry into the terminal is followed by a short, high accept tone. For noisy environments, an optional Feedback Enhancer can be added. The Feedback Enhancer provides a green accept light, red reject light, and amplified tone.

One of the most important features of the TA520 is the ability to program its ten function keys. Each key can be programmed to collect up to six items of data, plus the initial employee I.D. and time stamp. For example, after swiping his identification badge, an employee could press function key 2 and be prompted to input a work order number, part number, and then be prompted to input a quantity. This demonstrated just three items of data. Please note that the data input at each level can be restricted to bar code, keypad, magnetic stripe, or any combination. In addition to the function keys, the terminal contains 3 screen addressable selection keys and a forward & backspace key.

The TA520 eliminates key stroke errors and increases job costing accuracy by allowing you to download tables of valid entries. When an employee keys or swipes a number, in response to your prompt, the entered number is compared to the numbers you downloaded as being valid. The terminal will automatically reject bad entries and accept valid entries, while optionally displaying the particular item's name. Employees may also be restricted from entering unauthorized departments on an individual basis.

Eliminate unauthorized overtime by scheduling when employees can use the terminal. With this feature you can: lockout tardiness, lockout early birds, force late arrivals and early departures to notify the supervisor in order to punch. Control punching by time of day and day of week. The TA520 even gives specific messages to employees as to why they were locked out. Supervisors may be allowed to override a lockout. When used with access control, you can define schedules for employee access.