+ Three forms of computer communications

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.

+ Parallel printer support

The TA620 contains an integrated 25 pin parallel port which supports most standard parallel printers. The terminal can print many standard transaction lists, including a list that prints as transactions occur.

+ Supervisor Editing

The TA620 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.

+ Durable plastic construction with a feather touch membrane keypad

The TA620 is constructed of an impact resistant plastic which, pound-for-pound, is stronger than steel, yet light-weight and attractive. The TA620 has a feather touch membrane keypad, which creates a water tight seal against the outside elements, including protection from a spilled cup of coffee! The feather touch keypad employs the latest keypad technology and has been designed to provide your business with years of trouble free operation. The TA620's built-in mounting bracket is designed to be adjustable for both wall or desk installations.

+ 40 character (2x20) LCD display

The TA620 comes with a 40 character Backlit Dot Matrix Liquid Crystal Display. The TA620 allows for both upper and lower case alphanumeric characters. By utilizing the two line display, questions can be asked on the top line and responses can be displayed on the bottom line. One optional display is available for the TA620: a highly advanced filtered vacuum florescent display. This means that under almost any lighting condition, the terminal will give you a clear picture. After all, you can't expect proper data collection if you can't see what you're entering. All of this helps make Time America's TA620 terminal one of the most complete data entry terminals in the business.

+ Battery backed memory

The TA620 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 TA620'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 TA620 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 TA620 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.

 With the optional Bell/Access Module and Signal Control Relay, the terminal can activate a dry-contact closure (normally open or normally closed) and/or turn on a 120VAC 10 AMP circuit. The Signal Control Relay can be turned on by both a specific employee badge/number for access control or by time of day for bell ringing. The duration time is also programmable. It does not matter what you plug into the Signal Control Relay, the terminal will turn it on and off.

The TA620 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 TA620 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.

After an employee enters their ID number, the terminal can display a 16 character message to that employee. Messages such as the employee's name, hours worked, or work location can be downloaded to the terminal. Messages are specific to each employee.

So how can the TA620 accomplish all this? While most terminals come standard with 32K or 64K of memory, the TA620 comes standard with 128K. If more is required, the TA620 can be upgraded to 256K. With the TA620's advanced file management system, tables such as access control, validation, scheduling, and messaging can be expanded, compressed, added or removed completely, without necessitating the complete download of other tables or affecting the current transactions.