Distinguish between Access Control and Attendance systems

NGÀY ĐĂNG 16/01/2026

Võ Hồng Tiên

In the digital transformation era, most modern businesses, factories or buildings apply technology to manage entry and exit and automatic attendance. However, many people often confuse the Access Control system and Attendance, thinking that the two are the same. But in fact, these are two different systems - each system serves a separate purpose, but can be combined to create a comprehensive management solution, ensuring both security and optimizing human resources efficiency. In the article below, KPS will help you better understand the nature, differences and relationships between these two systems, thereby choosing or implementing the appropriate solution.

Distinguishing in detail between Access Control and Attendance

Many people often think that the Access Control system and Attendance are the same, because both are related to "recording the entry and exit time" of people. However, the fundamental difference lies in the purpose of use and the data that each system creates.

One, because both are related to “recording the time of entry and exit” of people. However, the fundamental difference lies in the purpose of use and the data that each system creates.

Access Control is designed primarily for security and access control purposes. This system manages who is allowed to enter and exit, which areas, and within what time frames. This system usually includes a central controller, magnetic card or fingerprint readers, electronic locks, automatic doors, barriers or turnstiles. When users authenticate their identity (by card, face or fingerprint), the system will check the access rights and decide to allow or deny access. All access data is saved, making it easy for managers to track entry and exit history, detect unauthorized access and ensure the safety of the work area.

Meanwhile, Attendance focuses on human resource and working time management. The attendance system records the time employees arrive and leave the workplace, from which they compile reports on working hours, number of working days, overtime or lateness. The devices used in the Attendance system can be similar to Access Control such as fingerprint, face, magnetic card timekeeping machines, but the data is processed in an administrative - human resource direction, not for security purposes.

The prominent difference between the two systems:

• Access Control generates access reports, entry/exit logs, user authorization.
• Attendance generates attendance reports, working hour statistics and salary calculation basis.

Thanks to this feature, in many modern businesses, the two systems are often integrated in parallel: authentication data from Access Control will simultaneously become attendance data in Attendance, helping to save time, eliminate errors and increase the efficiency of human resource management.

Smart Access Control & Attendance Integration Solution

When integrated, each time an employee swipes a card, scans a fingerprint or uses facial recognition at a gate, door or turnstile, the system will simultaneously record two types of data:

Access Control data - determines which area the person is allowed to enter, during which time frame.

• Attendance data - records actual entry and exit times to calculate working hours.
• Thanks to this synchronization mechanism, businesses completely eliminate manual attendance, minimize the risk of fraud in working hours, and increase transparency and security in operations.

In addition, the integrated solution also brings many outstanding benefits such as:

• Centralized management on a single software: all entry and exit data and attendance are displayed, tracked, and reports are extracted online.
• Automating human resource processes: attendance data is directly linked to the payroll system (Payroll) or HRM software.
• Enhance security and control: only authorized employees are allowed to access the work area, helping to avoid unauthorized access.
• Optimize, reduce maintenance costs and management personnel.

Contact for consultation

With many years of experience in the field of building security solutions and smart access management, KPS is proud to be the unit providing and deploying integrated access control solutions for hundreds of projects across the country - from office buildings, industrial parks, commercial centers, factories to hospitals and schools.

KPS provides a comprehensive, integrated solution between access control, timekeeping, surveillance cameras, BMS systems and network infrastructure, ... helping businesses:

• Enhance work area security,
• Automate human resource processes,
• Save operating costs,
• Centralize data management and easily expand in the future.

Contact KPS now to get advice on the most optimal solution for your model.