Buddy Punching: How It Costs Businesses Money (and How Biometrics Stop It)
Overview: Buddy punching quietly costs businesses thousands each year. Learn what it is, how it happens, and how biometric time & ...
TL;DR
ZKBio Time Cloud: best for teams who want no server to manage, easy remote access, and simple payroll exports.
ZKBio Time 9.0: software you host yourself on your own server or computer. Solid for sites that must keep everything on-prem.
Ask NZTeco to confirm trial availability and terms for each platform. For Time 9, assess the server and licence requirements before testing with a compatible device.
What each option is
ZKBio Time Cloud is hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS) and is accessed through a supported browser or mobile app. It’s great for businesses that want easy management and remote access.
ZKBio Time 9.0 is time & attendance software you install on your own server or computer. It works on your internal network and handles scheduling, shifts, and reporting.
Quick comparison: ZKBio Time Cloud vs ZKBio Time 9.0
| Area | ZKBio Time Cloud | ZKBio Time 9.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Hosted on AWS. No local attendance server required. Access through a supported browser or mobile app. | Installed on your own server or computer. Current Time 9 browser requirements are Edge/Chrome 117+ or Firefox 104+. Remote access requires appropriate server and network configuration. |
| Remote access | Built for remote access from anywhere with internet. | Remote access possible, but depends on how the server is configured (VPN, port forwarding or hosted VM). |
| Core features | Timetables, shifts, overtime rules, leave management, real-time dashboard and 30+ built-in reports. | Timetables, shifts, overtime rules, leave management and full reporting inside your own environment. |
| User roles & permissions | Multiple user roles with access control by site, department or function. | Multiple user roles with access control by site, department or function. |
| Security responsibility | AWS-hosted service; the manufacturer states that service communications use TLS 1.2. Local terminals and networks still require management. | You manage server security, backups, updates and infrastructure. |
| Mobile options | ZKBio Time mobile app with clock-in/out and geo location (if enabled). | Mobile app supported. Remote access depends on server/network configuration. |
| Integrations | Reports in PDF/TXT/CSV/XLS. Direct MYOB integration is available through NZTeco for supported deployments. Compatibility and workflow requirements should be confirmed for your MYOB setup. Other payroll export workflows require receiving-system mapping. | Payroll exports and a documented API for scoped ERP/HR integration. Confirm licensed access, fields and workflow. |
| Device support | Confirm Cloud compatibility for the exact device model, variant and firmware. A Time (TA PUSH) listing alone does not establish Cloud support. | Use current model-specific Time (TA PUSH) documentation; confirm variant, firmware and protocol. You control how compatible devices connect to your server. |
| Trial availability | Confirm availability and terms with NZTeco. | Confirm availability and terms with NZTeco. |
| Best for | Multi-site businesses that want minimal IT management and easy remote access. | On-premise environments that prefer to host and control everything internally. |
Who should pick Cloud
Choose Cloud if you want:
No local attendance server maintenance with growth assessed against compatible hardware and the listed user and event allowances.
Anywhere access for managers (browser/mobile), with staff self-service options.
Simple payroll workflow using CSV/XLS exports mapped and tested for the receiving system. Direct MYOB integration is available through NZTeco for supported deployments. Compatibility and workflow requirements should be confirmed for your MYOB setup.
Who should pick 9.0
Pick 9.0 if you need:
On-prem control (keep data inside your network/VPN).
API on your terms for scoped ERP/HR integration, subject to licensed access, field mapping and testing.
A stable, web-based UI that runs from a server you manage.
Features you’ll care about
Timetables, shifts, and exceptions
Both platforms handle standard time, flexible shifts, and exception reporting (late/early/missed). Cloud provides hosted attendance management; Time 9 is self-hosted. Check the required features and licence allowances for each platform.
Mobile self-service
The ZKBio Time mobile app lets employees clock (where enabled by policy), view balances, and submit requests. Confirm app features and entitlement for the chosen service or licence. Time 9 mobile access also depends on server and network configuration.
Device compatibility
Modern terminals (e.g., SpeedPalm V5L) list ZKBio Time (TA PUSH) among supported back-ends. This model-specific listing does not itself establish Cloud support; placement and lighting still matter, but WDR cameras on current models help with tricky entries.
Security and compliance
Vendor materials cite ISO/IEC 27001 (ISMS) and 27701 (privacy) for ZKBio Time; these are attributed vendor statements, not certification of a customer deployment. Cloud uses AWS infrastructure, and its manufacturer documents TLS 1.2 communications. On-prem buyers must still harden Windows, patch regularly, and back up databases.
Integrations & exports
Cloud reports include CSV/XLS for mapped payroll import workflows. Direct MYOB integration is available through NZTeco for supported deployments. Compatibility and workflow requirements should be confirmed for your MYOB setup. If you need programmatic sync, 9.0’s API supports scoped integration from your environment; confirm licensed access and validate the required data mapping.
Features you’ll care about
Timetables, shifts, and exceptions
Both platforms handle standard time, flexible shifts, and exception reporting (late/early/missed). Cloud provides hosted attendance management; Time 9 is self-hosted. Check the required features and licence allowances for each platform.
Mobile self-service
The ZKBio Time mobile app lets employees clock (where enabled by policy), view balances, and submit requests. Confirm app features and entitlement for the chosen service or licence. Time 9 mobile access also depends on server and network configuration.
Device compatibility
Modern terminals (e.g., SpeedPalm V5L) list ZKBio Time (TA PUSH) among supported back-ends. This model-specific listing does not itself establish Cloud support; placement and lighting still matter, but WDR cameras on current models help with tricky entries.
Security and compliance
Vendor materials cite ISO/IEC 27001 (ISMS) and 27701 (privacy) for ZKBio Time; these are attributed vendor statements, not certification of a customer deployment. Cloud uses AWS infrastructure, and its manufacturer documents TLS 1.2 communications. On-prem buyers must still harden Windows, patch regularly, and back up databases.
Integrations & exports
Cloud reports include CSV/XLS for mapped payroll import workflows. Direct MYOB integration is available through NZTeco for supported deployments. Compatibility and workflow requirements should be confirmed for your MYOB setup. If you need programmatic sync, 9.0’s API supports scoped integration from your environment; confirm licensed access and validate the required data mapping.
Real-world signals
- ZKTeco’s public Cloud page highlights AWS hosting and multi-device access.
- ZKBio Time materials show the web-based interface and the common T&A toolset (timetables, schedules, reports) plus ISO claims.
- Example case (vendor site): enterprise T&A deployments (earlier versions) underline large-scale shift/schedule use with detailed reporting.
Recommendation
Cloud is usually the simpler choice if you don’t need to keep data on your own servers, because there’s no local attendance server to set up or maintain. If you need all data kept in-house, 9.0 is still a powerful on-prem option.
Implementation notes
Keep a single IN/OUT flow per doorway to reduce queues and improve exception accuracy.
Map your export template once and save it; this keeps the “assist payroll” hand-off consistent every pay run.
For biometrics, capture face + palm (or other second factor) for frequent users; retain card/PIN as a contingency.
FAQs
Yes—create groups with validity windows and separate reporting. (Cloud or 9.0)
Growth depends on compatible hardware and the licence. NZTeco’s listed Cloud packages are annual licences with the user allowance shown for each package, unlimited devices and up to 750,000 events. Confirm counting and renewal rules. Time 9 has a standard platform capacity of 500 devices; larger deployments require assessment. Its purchased licence must cover both device and user counts, alongside suitable server capacity.
For self-hosted 9.0, there’s a published ZKBio Time API for scoped ERP/HR synchronisation. Confirm licensed API access and validate fields and workflow before relying on a connection.
Learn more
ZKBio Time Cloud product page (NZTeco): https://www.nzteco.co.nz/product/zkbio-time-cloud-attendance-software/
ZKBio Time 9.0 product page (NZTeco): https://www.nzteco.co.nz/product/zkbio-time-9-0-time-attendance-software/
