Attendance App Without Barcode – Looking for Ideas to Avoid High Update Usage

Hi everyone,
I have a client who asked me to build an attendance app for their 20 workers. The challenge is:

  • They’re on the Maker plan
  • Barcode/QR scanning requires a Business plan and each scan uses 5 updates
  • If each worker checks in and out once per day, that’s 40 updates daily, which means ~1,200 updates per month — too high for their use case

So I’m looking for alternatives to barcodes that don’t eat up updates.


Here’s what I’m currently thinking:

I’m considering a hybrid approach using deep links + GPS to avoid abuse and stay within the update limits:

  • I’ll place a QR code at the entrance (just a static code that links to a hidden screen in the app via deep link)
  • This screen is not visible in the menu and can only be accessed by scanning the QR
  • On that screen:
    • There will be a Location Picker near the “Check In” button
    • The Check In button will only appear if the user’s location is within a geofence (e.g., within 100 meters of the entrance)
    • When the user taps the button, it records their user ID, time, date, and location

Since it’s all user-initiated and uses only CRUD actions, this should not consume any updates — which is great for scalability.


My Question:

Has anyone implemented something like this before?
What do you think of this solution — or do you have a better idea to keep the app simple, secure, and low on update usage?

I’d love to hear your thoughts or alternative suggestions. Thanks in advance! :folded_hands:

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Just want to confirm, this will write the location to a field of your choice, then you record that location to a new row in a new table right?

I think the approach is sound.

This thread is related to your use case.

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Hi,
My plan is to have the QR code link directly to the form page of the relevant table where location data will be stored. When a user scans the QR code, the form will open immediately, with the location toggle ready. Once the user enables location access, a button will appear allowing them to confirm their check-in or check-out. Upon clicking the button, the app will automatically capture the user’s ID, email, date/time, and location details.

You could just use the distance column to measure the user’s distance to a location. If they are within range, then show certain components. No need to scan a barcode. They just need to be a certain distance from a location you specify.

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