RFID Card and Keypad Readers for Attendance: ZKTeco KR602E and KR601E Explained
How ZKTeco KR602E and KR601E RFID card and keypad readers work for attendance, and how to send their punches to cloud software. Book a free demo.
Quick answer: An RFID card reader identifies an employee by a proximity card, and a keypad reader adds a PIN. Models such as the ZKTeco KR601E (proximity card reader) and KR602E (RFID reader with keypad) are low-cost entry points to attendance and door access, and their punches can be sent to a cloud attendance platform such as Synktime for shift, overtime and payroll processing.
Face and fingerprint terminals get most of the attention, but many sites, such as warehouses, labour camps, factories and gated offices, still run on cards. This guide explains where card and keypad readers fit and what to do about their main weakness.
Card Reader vs Card-and-Keypad Reader
| Card reader | Card and keypad reader | |
|---|---|---|
| Credential | Proximity card or tag | Card, PIN, or both |
| Typical use | Simple door entry and punch | Higher-security doors, two-step checks |
| Product page | ZKTeco KR601E | ZKTeco KR602E |
Check the manufacturer datasheet for the card formats and ranges each model supports.
What Is an RFID Attendance Reader?
An RFID attendance reader is a device that reads a card or tag held near it and records who punched and when. The reader is not the full system: it needs a controller or a connected platform to store punches and apply rules.
The Weakness: Cards Can Be Shared
A card proves someone holds the card, not that the right person is holding it. One employee can punch for a colleague. If that is a concern on your site, you can:
- Use the keypad PIN as a second factor where the model supports it
- Add a face or fingerprint terminal at high-risk entrances
- Use GPS and photo check-in on the mobile app for field staff
- Review exception reports for repeated identical punch times
Getting Card Punches Into the Cloud
Synktime brings punches from card readers, face terminals and the mobile app into one record per employee through its biometric attendance integration. Rules for shifts, grace periods and overtime then apply the same way to every punch source.
FAQ
What is the difference between the ZKTeco KR601E and KR602E?
The KR601E is a proximity card reader, and the KR602E is an RFID reader with a keypad. See each product page and the manufacturer datasheet for details.
Can card readers be used for attendance and door access together?
Yes, depending on how the reader is wired to your controller. The punch can also be sent to attendance software.
Can card punches go to cloud attendance software?
Yes. Platforms such as Synktime collect punches from card readers, biometric terminals and mobile check-in in one place.
How do I stop employees punching for each other with cards?
Combine the card with a PIN or a biometric check, and review exception reports for suspicious patterns.
Conclusion
Cards are a practical, low-cost credential when paired with the right software and checks. Book a free Synktime demo and see card, face and mobile punches in one dashboard.