American Time Blog

There are few moments during the day as precious as lunchtime. Lunch is supposed to be a refuge from the day's obligations, a time to decompress, regroup and recharge.

Any grown-up with a hectic daily schedule appreciates this, but for young learners, lunchtime is even more vital. It's their time to fuel their brains as they learn about the world around them.

That means people like Joshua Poveda, chef and food service director at Evergreen Charter School in Hempstead, New York, play a vital role in students' education. When Poveda realized lunchtime at his school wasn't the nourishing respite it was supposed to be, he optimized Evergreen's lunch schedule with the help of synchronized clocks.

In the synchronized clock industry, there are a lot of options to choose from if you’re considering a build out or upgrade to your facility. Think about clocks from the schools you went to as a kid: they were most likely wired, received an accurate time signal from a master clock, and were in-sync with a bell system for class changes. That may be the most common time system we can think of, but the technology and methods by which we keep time are changing. It may be time to re-think the traditional clock network, with Wi-Fi leading the way.

When someone mentions Wi-Fi, you may think of the technology that allows us fast and easy access to our smart phones — or heading over to the neighborhood coffee shop where the service works really well. For some of us, fast Wi-Fi access is more important than a reliable car. But Wi-Fi's versatility goes well beyond the consumer level. Businesses, hospitals, and schools are all using it to run their operations more smoothly with accurate time keeping.

Most of us take certain types of technology for granted — until it's not working for us. We have all probably lost phone service while inside the walls of a warehouse or at the bottom of a parking garage. This can be an annoying inconvenience, but how often has it prevented you from making a deadline or resulted in a loss of revenue?

Deciding what type of network clock you need, whether it be Wi-Fi or PoE (Power Over Ethernet), all depends on the connection to the internet in your facility. Some buildings may have more accessibility than others, so it's really up to you when purchasing your clock system. Here are some tips for determining what will work best for you.

At a quick glance, you may not notice the characteristics of the clock in your classroom, office, or facility. Would you be able to tell if the clock next to your desk is a wired or wireless system? You probably have no idea and quite honestly why would you if that clock is doing a great job with keeping accurate time. The terminology isn’t something you pay attention to, but that’s what we’re here for. In this video, we explain the terminology you should know for wired and wireless clocks, making your decision to purchase a system or repair a system that much better informed.

We need to face it and embrace it: We are living in a Wi-Fi world. In our personal and business lives, it can be difficult to communicate efficiently without Wi-Fi access and the devices that connect to it. Whether it's a mobile phone, printer, or even a thermostat, quick and clear communication often relies on Wi-Fi. Well, you can now add clocks to the list, as Wi-Fi is transforming the way synchronous clock systems operate in environments where keeping a precise schedule is paramount.

When looking at buying a new clock system, it is important to understand the difference between network clocks and system clocks. Deciding between the two will depend on how you plan to use your clock and how your building is wired and constructed. Here is an explanation of what each one does, and a few tips to consider when choosing between network and system clocks.

Less stress and more productivity are just a couple of the benefits of having excellent time management skills. However, the key to managing your time well is by having a reliable time-piece to keep you on track. Many schools and businesses are now turning to Wi-Fi clocks because of their reliable timekeeping abilities, as well as the additional benefits they offer facilities. In this video, our Director of Engineering Tim Leung explains the reasons they may be a good fit for you.

Everyday more and more of our frequently-used devices are becoming wireless — TV’s, speakers, thermostats, door locks, etc. Even our clocks are switching to a wireless system that is quickly becoming the standard among schools and businesses. So here are 3 things to consider when making the transition to a Wi-Fi clock system.