Cards

• Dimensions: Standard credit card size (3 3/8" x 2 1/8").
• Thickness: 10 to 30 mil plastic (30 mil recommended).
• Magnetic Stripe: Hi Co or Lo Co magnetic stripe for ISO/ABA tracks 1 and 2.
• The card number on the magnetic stripe must be printed as variable data somewhere on the card.
• For artwork, we recommend a place to write the employee's name on the front of the cards.
• Keep in mind that the side of the card opposite the magnetic stripe will receive a lot of scratch damage throughout the lifetime of the card.  Don't put the employee's name, or any embossed numbers, or anything else important there.
• Unlike credit cards, we suggest that the magnetic stripe be on the bottom half, rather than the top half, of the card.  This way, the employee name goes well at the top of the card without scratch damage.  The top of the card is usually the only part of the card that's visible when the card is stored in a wall-mounted card rack.

A. SwipeClock readers will read either type, but Hi Co is far more resistant to accidental magnetic damage, worth the extra money compared to the employer's hassle of replacing ruined cards, and should always be used whenever possible.
 

A. SwipeClock readers will read either track 1 or 2 depending on the model, so you should encode both tracks with identical information.  Use standard ISO/ABA encoding methods just like bank cards (track 1: 210bpi, track 2: 75bpi)
 

A.  Each track should have 12 digits encoded.  The first four digits are always "9622", this tells the clock that this card is a SwipeClock time card and not something like Visa.  The last eight digits are the actual card number, which can be any eight digit number that does not start with a zero.  It is OK (though inadvisable) to have duplicate card numbers as long as they're not used in the same client.

Only the 8 digit card number should actually be printed on the card for the user to read.  The system discards the 9622 after validating the card - the client/employee should NEVER see it printed.
 

 What about "colored" cards (red, blue, etc)?

A.  Colored cards are usually "exception" cards, used when clients who have employees with exceptions to the prompting rules (i.e. managers).  If you print these, you usually need very few (less than 10% of your order if you choose to do any at all).  For blue cards, add two more digits to the end of the code: "16".  (This makes fourteen total digits on the stripe instead of twelve).  For red cards, use the digits "32". 

• A. Sample regular card number 12345678:
  • Track 1: 962212345678
  • Track 2: 962212345678
• A. Sample RED card number 55443322
  • Track 1: 96225544332232
  • Track 2: 96225544332232

A.  A special diagnostic mode is hidden on the SwipeClock 330.  (This doesn't work on the Tranz 380).  To get to it, hold down * and 3 at the same time.  The screen will display "DIAGNOSTICS".  Press 4, and it will say "WIPE CARD NOW".  Swiping cards through the reader will display the numbers read from the stripe.