How to connect a ZKTeco attendance device — with no middleware server

Step by step

1. Connect the ZKTeco device to your routerPlug the ZKTeco device into your router with a LAN (Ethernet) cable, or join it to your Wi-Fi if the model supports it. The device and the phone/tablet running the app must be on the same network / same router — that is what lets the app reach it. Power the device on.
2. Configure the device’s IP addressOn the device, open Menu → Comm. (Communication) → Ethernet / Network. Set a static IP address in your router’s range (e.g. if your router is 192.168.0.1, use something like 192.168.0.50), with the matching subnet mask (usually 255.255.255.0) and gateway (your router’s IP). A static IP stops the address changing later and breaking the connection. Note this IP down.
3. Check the port and comm keyIn the same Comm. menu, confirm the port is 4370 (the ZKTeco default) and note the Comm Key / password if one is set (0 means none). You’ll enter these in the app.
4. Install the RushFlow attendance gateway appInstall the RushFlow attendance gateway app on an Android phone or tablet that stays on-site (and connected to the same router). Sign in with your business credentials so it knows which company to send attendance to.
5. Add the device by IP addressIn the app, tap Add device and enter the device’s IP address, the port (4370), and the comm key if you set one. Tap Test / Connect — a success confirms the app can reach the device over the router.
6. Map the device to a branchAssign the device to the branch where it sits, so its punches count toward that outlet’s attendance and the right employees’ payroll.
7. Enroll employeesCreate the employee in RushFlow first (name + branch). Then in the app, choose the employee and start enrolment on the device; have them place their finger (or face) on the ZKTeco reader as prompted (usually 2–3 captures). This ties the device slot to that employee so every future punch is attributed to them. Repeat per employee. See enroll fingerprints.
8. Scan / pull attendanceStaff now punch on the device to clock in/out. In the app you can pull (sync) attendance manually at any time with Sync now, and it also pulls on a schedule automatically. Punches are cached on the phone and pushed to RushFlow.
9. Confirm it reached RushFlowOpen RushFlow HRM → attendance and confirm today’s punches appear against the right employees and branch. From here, hours flow into payroll automatically — see attendance to payroll.

Why “no server” matters

Traditional ZKTeco integrations rely on a Windows machine running vendor middleware or a custom service that must never be switched off. That is fragile and costly for a small shop. RushFlow’s gateway is just an app on an Android device on the same network — it caches punches locally and forwards them, so a brief network blip never loses data.

Multiple devices and branches

Larger businesses run a device at each entrance or branch. The gateway supports pulling from several devices and enrolling staff across them.

• Pull punches from multiple ZKTeco devices
• Assign each device to its branch
• Enroll a fingerprint once and use it across devices

What happens to the punches

Once in RushFlow, punches become attendance records that feed leave, overtime and — most importantly — payroll. See From attendance to payroll for how hours turn into pay.

• Daily attendance per employee and branch
• Late / early / absent visibility
• Hours flow into the payslip calculation