Universal Device Manager

The Universal Device Manager is an extensible service that enables the flow of employee data between the Timekeeping system and data collection devices. The data collection device is a piece of hardware that collects time and attendance data, scheduling information, and other types of information.

Data flows between devices and the application server through a Web server.

Use the Universal Device Manager to:

  • Establish connections to 4500, InTouch, and InTouch DX devices.
  • Configure and test data collection devices.
  • Initialize and update device configuration and application data to devices.
  • Collect punches from devices.
  • Collect biometric data.
  • View device status, messages, transaction records, and device and error logs
  • Set up Smart View transactions that can be used at devices.

You can also use the Universal Device Manager to import a variety of files into the database for downloading to devices. These files include:

  • Firmware version files
  • Certificate files
  • Custom device language files
  • XML parameter files
  • Logo files (InTouch)

The Universal Device Manager interacts with supported devices using one of two communication modes:

Protocol

Definition

Device-initiated

Devices initiate all communication between the terminal and Device Manager. This protocol can provide secure communication over the open Internet. Device Manager requires device-initiated communication for all devices that support it. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is not required for devices using the device-initiated communication protocol.

Server-initiated

Device communication is initiated by the host application server. The server-initiated communication protocol requires the setup, configuration, and ongoing management of a VPN. Server-initiated communication may only be used by 4500 devices that do not support the device-initated communication protocol.

Note: Both Device-initiated and server-initiated communication work only with Ethernet-based communication. Modem communication is not supported.

The following devices are supported:

Device Type

Part Number

Software/Firmware required

4500

8602000-0xx

Not supported

4500

8602004-xxx

Not supported

4500

8602800-0xx through -499

Not supported

4500

8602800-500 through -999

Not supported

InTouch 9000

8609000-xxx

v02.02.02+

InTouch 9100

8609100-xxx

v03.00.02+

InTouch DX

8610000-xxx

v01.01.00+

*Server Initiated Communication via VPN Required.

Regardless of the communication mode, interactions between the Universal Device Manager and devices are all based on a small set of action types that include:

  • Device registration
  • NetChecks to test network connections and check the need for additional interactions
  • Uploads
  • Downloads