Getting Started with the MK3000

This guide walks you through the first steps of setting up your MK3000 Time Clock, from unboxing the device to installing the backup battery, powering it on, and configuring settings. 

You can use the links below to skip to a specific section of this article.  After you complete the initial setup process, you can proceed with the other articles in this help center to learn more about operating your MK3000 timeclock features.

Before You Start

• What’s in the Box?
• Recommended Workflow
• Get Familiar With the Device
• Precautionary Information
• Installing the backup battery
• Connect the Power Supply
• Power the Clock On or Off

Setting up the System

• Menu Navigation
• Set the Basic Device Settings

Overview and Steps to Complete the Setup

• Step 1: Download the Setup Files from the Clock
• Step 2: Open the Setup Files in Excel
• Step 3: Shifts, Holidays, & Bell Setup
• Step 4: Employee Setup
• Step 5: Upload the Setup Files to the Time Clock
• Step 6 (Optional): Mount the Time Clock to a Wall
• Step 7: Register Employee Face Scans or Finger Templates

Using the Clock

Before You Start

What’s in the Box?

• MK3000 Time Clock
• Device Settings Backup Battery
• 9V DC Power Cord
• RFID Card
• MK3000 Flash Drive
• Wall Mount Bracket and Hardware
• Pin Cable
• Warranty Card
• Product Manual

1. Unpack time clock. Inspect for any damage that may have occurred during shipment. Check box contents for any missing items.
2. If any damage is found or any parts are missing, please contact Workwell Customer Service at [phone].

Recommended Workflow

Although the MK3000 supports on‑device editing, it is significantly faster to edit information using Excel. The resources on a computer and in Excel provide a robust, familiar environment for adding and editing information. 

We recommend editing most data, such as users and shifts on a computer whenever possible. It is much easier to enter employee and shift settings on a PC and upload them to the clock, since T9 (Text on 9 keys) keyboard entry can be time consuming.

Get Familiar With the Device

Refer to the diagram below to identify key parts of the MK3000, including:

• Keypad and display
• USB port
• Battery compartment
• Power supply port

Precautionary Information

• Do not attempt to service the MK1000 Time Clock yourself. Disassembling the clock will void the warranty.
• Always follow the instructions in the User Guide.
• Do not place the clock in direct sunlight. Bright light may significantly affect face and finger readings and verification. Avoid areas with bright ambient or artificial lighting. 
• The clock is designed for indoor use in a temperature range of 32-140º F (0-60º C). The clock is not waterproof or shockproof. Keep the clock away from heat sources such as radiators. Avoid dusty environments or exposure to chemicals.
• Long-term outdoor use will affect time clock operations and should be avoided, if possible. If the device is used outdoors, place it in the shade and use heating and cooling equipment to ensure that the device remains within the recommended temperature parameters.
• The clock may be placed upright on a solid surface or mounted to a wall with the included wall bracket & mounting screws. Avoid locations where the device will be susceptible to vibrations and shock, such as a slamming door.
• The clock warranty does not cover defects or damages arising from improper installation, improper storage, abuse, or unauthorized service.

Installing the backup battery

Important:

• Install the backup battery before plugging the device into power.
• If the device is already plugged in, unplug it before opening the battery compartment.

1. Remove the battery cover on the back of the device.
    

   

2. Plug the battery into the terminal.
    

   

3. Place the battery and connection wires into the bay. 
    

   

4. Replace the cover to secure the battery.
    

   

After the battery is installed, the MK3000 may automatically power on.

Connect the Power Supply

Once the battery is installed:

1. Connect the MK3000 power supply to the power port on the back of the device.
2. Plug the power supply into a 120V/240V A/C outlet.

The device will run on A/C power while keeping the battery charged.

Tip: If you will not plug in the device immediately, keep an eye on the battery percentage. For instructions, see Display Battery Percentage on the MK3000.

Power the Clock On or Off

By default, the power [◉] button on the keypad controls device power.

To power on:

Press the power [◉] button once.

To power off:

1. Press and hold power [◉].
2. The screen will show a five‑count shutdown sequence.
3. When the device beeps five times and the display turns blue, release the button. The MK3000 will power down.

Note: You can change this behavior. To keep the device powered on at all times, see Enable or Disable the Power Button on the MK3000.

Setting up the System

For simplicity, this guide will refer to entering the menu by pressing [MENU]. However, if a user on the clock is designated as a manager, follow the instructions in Set Managers on the MK3000.

Menu Navigation

• Words in brackets represent buttons on the clock, such as [MENU], [ESC], or [OK].
• Words in bold indicate menu selections on the clock display, such as Shift, User Mgt, and Report.
• Use the up arrow [▲] and down arrow [▼] buttons to scroll through menu options.
• To select a menu item, highlight the item using the arrow buttons, then press [OK].

Set the Basic Device Settings

Adjusting the Sound Volume

1. Press [Menu].
2. Select System and press [OK].
3. Select Device Setup and press [OK].
4. Use the arrow buttons to select Voice and press [OK].
5. Use the arrow buttons to select the volume (in percent) and press [OK].
6. Press [ESC] once.
7. The clock will prompt you with “Save?” Press [OK].

Setting the Date and Time

1. Press [Menu].
2. Select System and press [OK].
3. Select Time and press [OK].
4. Use the arrow buttons to select Time and press [OK].
5. Use the arrow buttons or keypad to select the correct year, month and day and press [OK] after each setting.
   
   
    
6. Use the arrow buttons or keypad to enter the correct hour and minute in 24-hour format and press [OK] after each setting.
7. Press [ESC] to exit the menu or continue to change the date and time format.

Setting the Date and Time Format

While still in the Time menu:

1. Select Date fmt and press [OK].
   
   
    
2. Use the arrow keys to change the format and press [OK].
3. Select Time fmt and press [OK].
4. Use the arrow keys to select 12-hour or 24-hour format and press [OK].
5. Press [ESC] once.
6. The time clock will prompt you with “Save?”, press [OK].

Overview and Steps to Complete the Setup

The MK1000 clock is configured using Microsoft Excel©. The setup process includes:

• Downloading the setup files from the clock to a USB drive
• Setting your shifts, holidays, and employee data in Excel on your PC
• Uploading the setup files back to the clock
• Adding finger templates or face templates

Note: The MK3000 is compatible with Microsoft Excel 2003 and newer.

Step 1: Download the Setup Files from the Clock

These files are pre-loaded on the USB stick that came with your MK3000 for your convenience. If you experience any issues, download these files from the clock:

• 01SHIFT.XLS (Shift file)
• 01STAFF.XLS (User file)

To download the MK3000 setup files from the time clock:

1. Plug the USB stick into the left side of the clock.
2. Press [Menu].
3. Select User Mgt and press [OK].
4. Scroll down to select Download users and press [OK].
5. Press [ESC] once. 
6. Select Shift and press [OK].
7. Scroll down to select Download shift and press [OK].
8. Press [ESC] repeatedly to exit or simply allow the menus to time out.
9. Remove the USB stick from the clock.

Step 2: Open the Setup Files in Excel

1. Plug the USB stick into your computer.
2. The file directory should automatically open; if not use File Explorer (Windows) or Finger (macOS) to navigate to the flash drive directory.
3. Double-click the 01SHIFT file. 
4. Double-click the 01STAFF file.

Excel should launch and open the files. If either file does not open automatically in Excel, run Excel and open the files from the flash drive directory.

⚠️It is extremely important that the file names are not modified. The time clock will not recognize them if the names are changes.

 

Step 3: Shifts, Holidays, & Bell Setup

The Shift  Setup file controls the Shifts, Holidays, and Bell Schedule and contains four sheets:

• Shift
• Holiday
• Lock timezone
• Bell time

The tabs are located at the bottom of the Excel file. 

Shifts

Shifts are used to determine the time of day that employees are due to start work, leave for and return from lunch, and leave for the day. These times are used along with the Late Arrivals and Early Departures settings on the time clock to mark late arrivals and early departures in red on the time card. See Early/Late Punch Settings further down in this article to learn how to set up late arrival and early departure rules on the time clock. 

Notes:

• Shifts are required if employees work past midnight.
• The MK3000 allows for a maximum of 8 shifts. 
• If employees do not work past midnight and you do not want irregular punches highlighted, disregard this file and set the employees' shifts to 0 when completing the User Setup file.
• Employees cannot be assigned to more than one shift. For variable shifts, or different shifts throughout the week, you will need to disable their shift setting in the User Setup file by setting the shift to 0.

Cutoff Time

The Cutoff time helps the time clock decide which workday to count hours toward. By default, the Cutoff time is 12:00 AM (0:00).

Update this setting if employees work across midnight:

• A cutoff before noon extends the previous day. 
• A cutoff after noon starts the next day early.

Shift Setup Sheet

The Shift sheet contains instructions at the top and space for up to 8 shifts. 

• A sample Default shift is set up in the file as an example. Edit it as needed.
• Text in red can be edited. 
• If you do not need all 8 shifts, leave them blank (do not delete them).

Understanding the Columns in the Shift Sheet

Each shift is broken into three sections: Sec1, Sec2, and Sec3. For each section, set:

• OnDuty: the time users start that part of the shift
• OffDuty: the time users end that part of the shift
• Sec type: the type of hours assigned to the hours worked during that time
  • 0: regular hours
  • 1: overtime hours.

See Shift 1 in the image above for an example. This shift has:

• Morning work (regular hours)
• Afternoon work (regular hours)
• Evening work (overtime hours)

Editing Shifts in Excel

Starting with Shift 1:

1. Enter the shift Name (48 characters max) 
2. Enter the OnDuty and OffDuty times in 24-hour format (HH:MM). These times apply to every day of the week.
3. Enter the type of hours in Sec type: 0 for regular hours or 1 for overtime hours.
4. Update the Cutoff time only if employees work across midnight.
5. Repeat for each additional shift (up to 8 shifts).
6. Click on the Holidays tab to enter holidays.

After setting shifts, holidays, and any additional settings, save the file. Do not rename the file. 

Holidays

The Holidays sheet lets you enter the dates your company observes as holidays. The time clock uses these dates to mark holiday hours correctly on employee time cards.

At the top of the sheet, you will see two notes:

• A. Name: must be 48 characters or fewer
• B. Date format: Enter the dates as yyyy‑mm‑dd (for example, 2025‑12‑25). The file will automatically format the dates appropriately.

Example:

This example has two holidays:

• Christmas on 1 day (Dec. 25th)
• New Years on 1 day (Jan. 1st)

More on Holidays

• Each holiday has a name, a start date, and an end date.
• For a one‑day holiday, enter the same date for Start and End.
• For a multi‑day holiday, set the first day as Start and the last day as End.
• If your company does not observe holidays, remove the example holidays from the sheet.

Setting Holidays:

1. Click on the Holidays tab at the bottom of the Shift Setup file.
2. Enter your company’s holiday names and the correct Start and End dates.

After setting shifts, holidays, and any additional settings, save the file. Do not rename the file. 

Lock Timezone

The Lock timezone sheet is included in the Shift Setup file but is not used. It relates to a door‑lock feature that is not supported.

Bell Time

The Bell time sheet lets you set up scheduled alerts on the time clock. These alerts play on the device itself at the times you choose.

You can set up to 16 alert times. Each row includes:

• NO.: the alert number
• Time: when the alert will sound (HH:MM in 24‑hour time)
• SUN–SAT: whether the alert is active on each day
  • 1 = on
  • 0 = off (or leave the cell blank)

Example:

This example has 2 bells:

• Bell 1 at 8 AM Monday through Friday
• Bell 2 at midnight every day of the week

How Bell Alerts Work

• If a bell time is active, the time clock will always play its built‑in alert sound at that time.
• The bell will sound even if you do not have any external bells or accessories connected.
• The volume and the number of rings are controlled on the device itself, not in the Excel file.
• If your company does not use alert times, leave this sheet as-is. It will not affect normal time clock operation.

Setting Bell Times

1. Open the Bell time tab.
2. Enter the Time for the alert.
3. Enter 0 under the days when you want the alert to sound.
4. Enter 1 or leave blank for days when the alert should not sound.

After setting shifts, holidays, and any additional settings, save the file. Do not rename the file. 

Step 4: Employee Setup

Add every employee who will use the time clock to the Staff Setup file. This includes anyone who will punch or manage other users.

Important: Manager roles must be done on the time clock, not in the Excel file. Face and fingerprint templates must also be assigned at the clock.

Staff Setup File

The Staff Setup file contains a single sheet. At the top is a quick reference guide. Below that is the section where you enter your employees’ information, one row per employee.

Required Fields

• ID Num: Employee ID number (up to 8 digits)
• Name: Employee name, A-Z, a-z (up to 48 characters)
• Shift: 
  • Enter 1 - 8 to match the correct shift from the Shifts Setup file.  
  • Set to 0 to disable punch highlighting (all punches will print in black).
  • If left blank, shift 1 will be assigned.

Optional Fields

• Dept: Department name (up to 48 characters)
• Admin: Set to 0 or leave blank. Manager status must be set at the clock after setup. See MK3000 Managers after the setup is complete. 
• FP: Leave Blank. Fingerprint templates should always be added at the clock.
• Face: Leave Blank. Face templates should always be added at the clock.
• PWD: Password, numerical (up to 8 digits)
• Card: RFID card number (up to 10 digits)
• Time Zone: This does not refer to the employee's local time. This setting refers to the Lock Timezones set in the Shift Setup file (if used).
• Start: User’s start date, format YYYY-MM-D
• End: User’s end date, format YYYY-MM-DD

Adding Employees in Excel

1. Add users to the file, one person per row, filling out the columns as described above.
2. Repeat for each additional person.
3. Save the file. Do not rename the file. 

Step 5: Upload the Setup Files to the Time Clock

⚠️As previously mentioned: it is extremely important that the file names are not modified. The time clock will not recognize them if the names are changes.

1. Eject and remove the USB stick from the PC.
2. Plug the USB stick into the side of the clock.
3. Press [Menu].
4. Select Shift and press [OK].
5. Select Upload Shift and press [OK].
   
   
    
6. Press [ESC] once.
7. Select User Mgt and press [OK].
8. Select Upload User and press [OK].
   
   
    
9. Press [ESC] repeatedly to exit the menus or simply allow the menus to time out.
10. Remove the USB stick from the clock.

Bell Settings

1. Press [Menu].
2. Select Shift and press [OK].
3. Select Bell set and press [OK].
4. Select Bell Count and press [OK].
5. Enter the time in X that x and press [OK].
6. If using an external bell system, update the Bell output setting. This feature is not supported.
7. Press [ESC] once and press [OK].
8. Press [ESC] repeatedly to exit the menus or simply allow the menus to time out.

Early/Late Punch Settings

1. Press [Menu].
2. Select Shift and press [OK].
3. Select Attn Rules and press [OK].
4. Select Late time and press [OK].
5. Enter the time in X that x and press [OK].
6. Select Lea time and press [OK].
7. Enter the time in X that x and press [OK].
8. Press [ESC] repeatedly to exit the menus or simply allow the menus to time out.

Step 6 (Optional): Mount the Time Clock to a Wall

The MK3000 clock can be placed on a table or desk or mounted to a wall using the included hardware. Included with your time clock is:

• a metal back plate
• four drywall anchors
• four screws
• two small bracket screws. 
• You will need your own Phillips-head screwdriver.

To mount the MK3000:

1. Select a location for your time clock near a power outlet.
2. Use the included mounting template or the metal back plate to mark the four holes.
3. Insert the drywall anchors into the center of the wall marks.
4. Align the metal back plate with the holes. Ensure that the prongs are facing away from the wall and upward, then secure the back plate to the wall with the included screws.
5. Attach the power adapter. The time clock will power on.
6. Align the four slots on the back of the time clock with the four prongs on the back plate. Push down slightly to ensure the time clock is securely fastened.
7. Secure the time clock to the metal back plate by fastening the two bracket screws to the bottom of the time clock.

Step 7: Register Employee Face Scans or Finger Templates

Registering Face Templates

1. Press [Menu].
2. Select User Mgt and press [OK].
3. Select UserView and press [OK].
4. Select the employee from the list and press [OK].
5. Select Edit and press [OK].
6. Select Face and press [OK].
7. The clock will request the user to look at the camera. Position their face inside the guide marks
8. Gently move to capture the user’s right side and left side, lower their head, and look up.
   
   
    
9. When completed, the clock will return to the previous screen.
   
   
    
10. Press [ESC] once.
11. Press [OK] to save the face template.
12. Repeat steps 4 - 11 for additional employees.
13. Press [ESC] repeatedly to exit the menus or simply allow the menus to time out.

Registering Finger Templates:

1. Press [Menu].
2. Select User Mgt and press [OK].
3. Select UserView and press [OK].
4. Select the employee from the list and press [OK].
5. Select Edit and press [OK].
6. Select FP and press [OK].
7. The clock will request the user to press a finger three times to ensure a good read. Press and quickly remove the finger for best results. 
   
   
    
8. When completed, the clock will return to the previous screen.
   
   
    
9. To record another finger: select FP, press [OK] again, and repeat the process with a different finger.
10. Press [ESC] once.
11. Press [OK] to save the finger template(s).
12. Repeat steps 4 - 11 for additional employees.
13. Press [ESC] repeatedly to exit the menus or simply allow the menus to time out.

Fingerprint Verification Technique

Your finger should be pressed firmly to the center of the sensor with your finger flat against the glass. Do not press your finger off center or contact the sensor with just the side or tip of your finger (see diagrams below for correct placement).

Tip: Employee RFID Cards and Passwords can be added at the clock.  Passwords are easier to add on a PC using the Excel spreadsheet. To add a password at the clock, select Password instead of Finger or Card in the steps below and enter the password.

Reducing Duplicate Punching with Re-verify

The re-verify feature helps reduce duplicate punching; it prevents an employee from punching multiple times within a set number of minutes.  

To change the Re-verify time:

1. Press [Menu].
2. Select Shift and press [OK].
3. Select Attn rules and press [OK].
4. Select Re-Verify and press [OK].
5. Enter the number of minutes that should elapse before an employee can punch again using the key pad or arrow keys. 
   • The default value is 5 minutes.
   • Setting to 0 will disable the setting. 
   • Set up to 255 minutes.
6. Press [OK].
7. Press [ESC] once.
8. Press [OK] to save your changes.
9. Press [ESC] repeatedly to exit the menus or simply allow the menus to time out.

Cleaning the Clock

Do not use cleaning products that contain alcohol or other strong chemicals as they could discolor or crack the clock housing. Use a soft damp cloth to remove dirt. Wipe dry.

Congratulations! You're Ready To Begin Using Your Time Clock!

You’ve completed the setup of your MK3000 Time Clock. Your device is now ready to track time reliably and accurately.

Now that your device is set up, we will cover the most important aspects of the time clock:

• How your employees will punch
• Running reports
• What to do at the end of your pay period

Employee Punching

After setting up your employees, they can simply capture their face with the camera, scan their fingerprint, tap their badge, or enter their password on the time clock. 

If the punch is successful, the device will say "Thank You" and screen will display the person's name and user ID.

Punch Data

Your device makes it easy to review employee punch activity. The MK3000 offers three types of reports that can be downloaded in one spreadsheet directly from the time clock. These include the Original Record, Schedule, and Summary report.

Original Record Report

• Often referred to as the Punch Report
• Includes all punch logs by employee for the selected report date

Schedule Report

• Often referred to as the Time Card Report
• All punches per day
• Scheduled hours vs. actual hours worked
• Total overtime hours
• Total minutes for all late arrivals
• Total minutes for all early departures
• Highlights late/early punches in red

Summary Report

• Often referred to as the Total Hours Report.
• Total regular hours worked vs. the scheduled hours
• Number of late arrivals and total minutes for all late arrivals
• Number of early departures and total minutes for all early departures
• Total overtime hours
• Scheduled work days vs. actual days worked
• Any missed work days

To download the reports:

1. Plug the USB stick into the left side of the clock.
2. Press [Menu].
3. Select Report and press [OK].
4. Enter the Start and End Dates for the report:
   • Use the key pad or arrow keys to adjust a field.
   • Press [OK] to move to the next field.
5. Press [OK] to download the report.
6. Press [ESC] repeatedly to exit or simply allow the menus to time out.
7. Remove the USB stick from the clock.

To view the reports:

1. Plug the USB stick into your computer.
2. The file directory should automatically open; if not use File Explorer (Windows) or Finger (macOS) to navigate to the flash drive directory.
3. Double-click the 01Reports-YY-MM.XLS file (where YY is the year and MM is the month).

For more details, see MK3000 Reports.

End of Pay Period Processes

At the end of a pay period, you can use the Schedule Report to view time cards for all employee who punched in during the selected date range or the Summary Report for a list of all employee's work hours, OT hours, and any late or leave time.

Need Help?

If you run into any issues or have questions, Contact Us.

Thank you for choosing uPunch. We’re glad to be part of your time tracking solution!