7punches Embedded Overview

What is 7punches Embedded?

7punches Embedded is the 7shifts time clock terminal, packaged as a web app you can embed directly inside your POS. Employees punch in, take breaks, and punch out without leaving your POS, and every punch goes straight to 7shifts for scheduling, timesheets, and payroll.

It runs the same punch logic as the 7punches iOS and Android apps. Employees get the same experience, and restaurants get the same rules and labor data, wherever they punch.

Why embed it?

Give your merchants a labor solution without building one. Time clock rules such as break minimums, early punch restrictions, health screenings, and tip declarations are already handled for you.
Fully integrated with 7shifts. Punches tie back to scheduled shifts, roles, and locations in 7shifts automatically. There's nothing for you to sync or reconcile.
Keep employees in one place. Staff clock in on the same device they already use for orders and payments.
Get feedback in real time. Your POS is notified each time a punch succeeds or fails. Notifications can include your own employee and role IDs, so you can match punches to records in your system.

How it works

Embed the terminal. Load the 7punches Embedded URL in a native webview inside your POS. iOS, Android, and React Native webviews are the recommended setup. Web iframes are also supported for browser-based POS systems.
A manager signs in once. A 7shifts manager or admin signs in and picks the company and location. That authorizes the device, and your POS can resume the session on later launches so no one needs to sign in again.
Employees punch with their Punch ID. Each employee enters their personal 7shifts Punch ID to clock in, take a break, or clock out.
7shifts takes it from there. Punches appear in 7shifts right away, and your POS gets a notification for each one.

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Already know who's at the register?
If your POS has already identified the employee, for example through its own login, you can pass that employee to the terminal and skip Punch ID entry entirely.

Features

7punches Embedded is built to match the 7punches mobile apps feature for feature. The exceptions are features that need a camera or location services, such as photo capture at punch and geofencing.

Punching

Punch in and punch out using a personal Punch ID
Breaks: standard paid and unpaid breaks, custom named breaks, and enforced minimum break lengths
Role and department selection at punch in, including switching roles at the start of a shift
Shift overview: employees see a greeting, their scheduled shifts for the day, and a live timer for their current shift or break
Schedule enforcement: blocks early punches, unscheduled punches, and punches at locations the employee isn't assigned to, based on the company's 7shifts settings

Compliance and pay

Health screening questions before punch in
Attestation prompts to confirm statements such as break compliance
Tip declaration at punch out, either required or optional

These features follow each company's settings in 7shifts. When a restaurant turns something on in 7shifts, it appears in the terminal with no change on your side.

Offline punching

When the internet drops, employees can keep punching in and out. Punches are saved on the device and synced to 7shifts automatically once the connection returns. A banner lets staff know they're offline.

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Offline limits

Breaks and tip entry aren't available offline.

A device can stay offline for up to 7 days. Staff are warned as the limit approaches, and punching is paused at the limit until the device reconnects.

Terminal management

Multiple companies and locations: pick the location when signing in, and change it later from Settings
Protected settings: changing the location or logging out requires a manager's Punch ID
Auto sign out: the employee's session closes after a period of inactivity, so the next person always starts fresh
Light and dark themes to match your POS
Languages: English, French, and Spanish

Getting access

7punches Embedded is available to members of the 7shifts partner program with an assigned application ID. If you aren't a partner yet, request to join the program first.

Where to go next

Integration Guide: how to embed the terminal, handle sign-in, and resume sessions.
Post Message Guide: the full list of messages your POS can send and receive, including punch payloads.