On this page
01. What a small business really needs02. Why a small team benefits more03. The simple setup04. What to ignore at this size05. Cost and next step06. A typical scenario07. Common mistakes08. Quick checklist09. Frequently asked questions
A small business with fewer than twenty staff needs one fingerprint attendance terminal, one Windows PC running ZKBio Time.Net, one simple timetable and a monthly Excel export for payroll. You do not need servers, cloud subscriptions or a dedicated IT person.
Key takeaways
- One terminal is usually enough.
- Any Windows PC you already own can run the software.
- Keep timetables simple.
- Export monthly hours to Excel for payroll.
01What a small business really needs
The shopping list is short. Everything below fits a shop, clinic, small office, salon or workshop.
- One fingerprint attendance terminal such as the ZKTeco K40, placed at the staff entrance.
- A Windows PC that stays switched on during working hours, which can be the one that already runs your invoices.
- A network cable or a switch, or a USB flash drive if you prefer to collect data by hand.
- A power point and a firm wall position at hand height.
02Why a small team benefits more
In a team of eight, one person arriving late is more than ten percent of the workforce. The owner often cannot be on site all day, so the register is the only evidence. A fingerprint record replaces the arguments with a one-page report. Small teams also change less, so setup is a one-time job.
03The simple setup
- Install the software on your PC (download and install ZKBio Time.Net).
- Connect the terminal (add device over TCP/IP) or use USB (USB download).
- Add your staff and enrol fingerprints (enrol fingerprint).
- Create one timetable that matches your opening hours (timetable and shift).
- At month end, calculate and export hours (export to Excel).
04What to ignore at this size
Skip complicated shift rotations, multiple departments and cloud setups until you actually need them. You can add them later. Start with one timetable and one report.
05Cost and next step
Prices change with stock and exchange rates, so see ZKTeco K40 price in Kenya or ask for a quote. The full walkthrough is How to Configure a ZKTeco K40 Pro with ZKBio Time.Net.
06A typical scenario
A salon with nine staff replaced a notebook with a single terminal and now exports hours to Excel on the last day of each month. The owner no longer argues about who opened late.
Illustrative example based on common cases, not a named customer.
07Common mistakes
- Buying several terminals before trying one.
- Skipping part-timers during enrolment.
- Never backing up the database.
08Quick checklist
- Count staff and entrances before you buy.
- Write the working hours down as timetables.
- Enrol everyone, including casual and part-time staff.
- Run a one-week trial and compare it with your old register.
- Name one person who owns the reports.
09Frequently asked questions
Is one terminal enough for 15 people?
Usually yes, if people do not all arrive in the same minute. Check the capacity on the spec sheet of the model you choose.
Do I need internet?
No. The desktop software works on your own network or with a USB drive.
What if the PC is off?
The terminal stores punches and sends them when the PC is on again.
This guide is part of our ZKTeco K40 and ZKBio Time.Net series. For the full start-to-finish walkthrough with screenshots, read How to Configure a ZKTeco K40 Pro with ZKBio Time.Net.
ZKTeco and ZKBio are trademarks of ZKTeco Inc. Menu names on the K40 Pro and in the software vary slightly by firmware and software version; where yours differ, look for the nearest match. Qyvea is a ZKTeco reseller and installer in Kenya.
