NFC vs GPS Time and Attendance

Choosing the right approach for accurate workforce management

As workforce management becomes more complex, the way businesses record attendance is under greater scrutiny than ever before. Employers are increasingly expected to demonstrate accurate time records for payroll, compliance, health and safety, and client reporting, while also maintaining trust with their workforce. The technology used to confirm attendance is no longer a simple operational choice, it has a direct impact on compliance risk, employee relations, and administrative efficiency.

Two of the most commonly used approaches to time and attendance are GPS based systems and NFC based systems. While both aim to confirm that a member of staff has attended work, they differ significantly in accuracy, reliability, privacy implications, and suitability for modern working environments. Understanding these differences is essential for employers making informed decisions about workforce technology.

What is GPS based time and attendance
GPS based time and attendance systems use a mobile device’s location services to estimate where a user is when they sign in or out. The system records latitude and longitude data and applies a defined radius to determine whether the user is considered to be on site. This approach is often adopted because it can be deployed quickly and does not require physical infrastructure, but its limitations become more apparent as organisations grow or operate across multiple sites.

Limitations of GPS based attendance tracking
GPS provides an approximate location rather than definitive confirmation of presence. Signals can be affected by buildings, underground locations, dense urban environments and inconsistent mobile reception, leading to disputed or unreliable records. GPS performance indoors is particularly inconsistent, which can undermine confidence in attendance data and increase payroll queries and manual corrections.

Privacy and audit considerations
GPS based systems can raise employee concerns about being tracked outside working hours or beyond the workplace. Because GPS data is approximate rather than precise, it is also easier to challenge during disputes or audits, increasing compliance risk for employers.

What is NFC based time and attendance
NFC uses short range technology that requires a device to be placed very close to a physical tag installed at a specific work location. Staff sign in and out by tapping their device on the tag, creating a clear, location specific attendance record that confirms physical presence.

Advantages of NFC based attendance verification
NFC confirms attendance at an exact location and works reliably indoors, underground and in environments where GPS struggles. Because NFC only records data when a tag is actively tapped, it avoids continuous location tracking and supports employee trust. Each interaction creates a time stamped audit trail that supports payroll accuracy, compliance and dispute resolution.

How Assyst uses NFC technology
Assyst uses building specific NFC tags to verify attendance accurately and transparently. By linking attendance directly to absence reporting and payroll processes, Assyst reduces manual intervention, improves data integrity and supports employers as regulatory expectations continue to evolve.