When you deploy a time and attendance terminal, you’re making a long-term investment. The last thing you want is for that hardware to become obsolete because your organisation’s credentials have changed – or because you’ve taken on a new site running a different card technology from your own.
That’s a challenge Grosvenor Technology has solved by collaborating with ELATEC, the global leader in multi-technology RFID readers, to integrate their reader technology into our GT series timeclocks.
Why ELATEC?
Grosvenor Technology has always built terminals designed to last. Our GT series devices are engineered for continuous use in demanding, high-traffic environments, and we expect them to still be working effectively years after installation. That means the components inside them need to meet the same standard.
ELATEC’s multi-technology readers are the benchmark in their field. Their TWN4 reader family supports more than 60 RFID transponder technologies simultaneously – covering legacy low-frequency (125 kHz) proximity cards right through to modern high-frequency (13.56 MHz) smart cards, NFC and Bluetooth Low Energy credentials. Their OEM modules are designed specifically for integration into third-party hardware, making them a natural fit for our GT terminals.
Equally important is ELATEC’s approach to software. Their readers are remotely configurable and updatable, which means a terminal can adapt to a new credential type in the field, without any physical intervention. That kind of longevity matters enormously to our customers.
“We’re always looking for technology partners who share our commitment to longevity and real-world reliability. ELATEC’s multi-technology readers mean our customers aren’t buying a terminal that works today and needs replacing the moment their credential strategy evolves. That flexibility is something our customers increasingly expect, and it’s something we’re proud to deliver.”
— David Hembery, Senior Product Manager, Grosvenor Technology
What Does a Multi-Technology Reader Actually Do?
In a timeclock, the proximity reader is the component that identifies an employee when they present their card or fob. A standard reader is configured to recognise one card technology, so if your organisation uses 125 kHz proximity cards, that’s all it reads.
A multi-technology reader removes that constraint entirely. Because ELATEC’s reader can simultaneously support a wide range of protocols, a single Grosvenor timeclock installed on your shopfloor or at your site entrance can accept:
- Legacy 125 kHz proximity cards – still in widespread use across UK and European workforces
- MIFARE Classic, DESFire and other 13.56 MHz smart card formats
- HID iClass and comparable secure credential technologies
- NFC-enabled smartphones, allowing contactless clocking via a mobile device
For organisations managing multiple sites, going through a card migration, or simply wanting to keep their options open, this makes a significant practical difference.
The Benefits for Your Business
Protecting your hardware investment is the most immediate benefit. When your credential infrastructure changes – and for most organisations, it will at some point – your terminals don’t need to change with it. The ELATEC reader adapts.
For multi-site businesses, this is particularly valuable. Different locations often run different card systems, the legacy of separate procurement decisions or acquisitions over the years. A Grosvenor timeclock with a multi-tech reader works across all of them, without any need to standardise credentials first.
There’s also a growing case for touchless clocking. Whether driven by hygiene considerations or a move towards mobile-first working practices, NFC credential support means employees can clock in and out with their phone – a capability that’s built in, not bolted on.
Finally, remote configurability simplifies life for IT and facilities teams. If a new credential protocol needs to be supported, it can be updated over-the-air via our GTConnect platform across a fleet of terminals, with no engineer visits required.
Available Across the GT Range
The ELATEC multi-technology reader is available as an option across Grosvenor’s GT timeclock range.
The GT4
Our Linux-based timeclock designed for demanding environments, supports the multi-tech reader alongside its alphanumeric keypad and optional fingerprint biometric.
The GT8 & GT10
Our Android-powered terminals with large colour touchscreens, facial recognition and self-service HR functionality, also support the multi-tech reader option for organisations that want the broadest possible credential compatibility alongside advanced biometric clocking.
Whichever terminal best fits your environment, the multi-tech reader means your credential infrastructure is one less thing to worry about.
Find Out More
To learn more about the GT terminal range or discuss which configuration is right for your organisation, speak to our team on 01202 621700 or email hcmsales@grosvenortechnology.com. You can also explore the full product range here.