Gone are the days when maintenance teams tediously adjusted clocks that won’t stay on the right time or that need to be updated for daylight saving time twice a year or needed a change of batteries. With synchronized time, you can set a clock once and forget about it for years, all  the clocks will display the same time and your maintenance crews can focus their efforts on other important tasks.

Accurate, synchronized clocks in your building, school or facility are more than a convenience. When clocks display the wrong time or different times from each other, major disruptions and even risks can happen, such as….

• Meetings, classes or shifts start and end at different times, causing confusion and inefficiency
• Wages or compensation are disputed
• Critical tasks like surgeries, food prep or manufacturing processes aren’t tracked or reported accurately
• Maintenance staff spend too much time on clock repairs and adjustments

A synchronized timekeeping system ensures that all of the clocks in a building or facility — wired or wireless, digital or analog — display the same precise time. A synchronized timekeeping system will automatically update for daylight saving saving staff a significant amount of time adjusting and maintaining clocks. Since these clocks are PoE or Mains powered there is no need for expensive batteries and the time and effort to change them periodically.

How Clocks Know the Right Time: The 3 Best Technologies

There are several ways clocks “know” and adjust to the correct time. The three core technologies for modern clock systems are: Power over Ethernet (PoE), Wi-Fi & Wireless.

All of these clock technologies keep extremely precise time and ensure every clock on the system displays the correct time. All clock systems automatically update for DST and have choices of analog or digital clocks.

PoE Clock System

Power over Ethernet (PoE) network clocks draw both power and time updates from your existing Ethernet connection. There’s no need for a Master Clock, AC receptacles or batteries.

The main benefits of a PoE clock system include….

• Easy plug-and-play installation
• No need for outlets or batteries
• Very energy efficient
• Low maintenance
• No Master Clock required as the clocks utilize your existing network

Wi-Fi Clock System Technology

A Wi-Fi clock system simply uses an existing Wi-Fi network to pull accurate time and keep all clocks in a building or campus displaying the correct time. No need for a Master Clock, wires or other equipment. Analog Wi-Fi clocks (those with a clock face) can be powered by AC power (120v or 24v) or by battery. Digital Wi-Fi clocks are AC-powered only.

Many organizations choose a Wi-Fi clock system because….

• It is one of the quickest and most economical ways to get synchronized time
• There is no noticeable impact on Wi-Fi speeds
• Battery-powered Wi-Fi clocks can be placed anywhere there’s a Wi-Fi signal
• No Master Clock required as the clocks utilize your existing network

Wireless Clock System

A wireless system’s Master Clock (also called as “system controller”) automatically receives a time signal via Ethernet or GPS satellites. The Master then sends a signal to each wireless clock using a radio frequency. Wireless clocks also come with the option to display preprogrammed text messages which can be useful in alerting during emergencies. Wireless clocks are AC powered only.

An unlimited number of clocks can receive the time synchronization signal from the Master. Wireless clock system technology is one of the most popular ways to get synchronized time because it is…

• Quick to install
• Communicates wirelessly, only requiring a local 230/240 VAC
• Can be used to expand an existing wired clock system
• Requires little maintenance (clocks can operate up to five years on battery power)
• Battery-powered clocks can be installed anywhere in a room

To summarise a best-in-class synchronized timekeeping system goes beyond accurate time displays to make sure your facility stays in compliance, on budget and on track.

For more information on Synchronised Clock Systems please contact us for a free consultation or click on link to avail our Free Design Service .