In the office, the employee app finds the Host on the local network. From home, staff enter the company name and a one-time code; a small matchmaking service introduces the two computers and then steps aside, and the app and Host talk directly over an encrypted link. Screenshots and activity never pass through our servers. If the Host is unreachable, the app saves data and sends it when it can.
Two ways in
| Office network | From anywhere | |
|---|---|---|
| How the app finds the Host | Its local network address | The company name via the matchmaker |
| What carries the data | A direct encrypted connection | A direct encrypted connection |
| What you set up | Nothing extra | Choose a company name once in the Host |
What the matchmaker does
It keeps a record of which public key belongs to which company name, passes along the introduction, and then plays no part. Only the Host stays connected to it. The employee app connects just long enough to be introduced. It never sees screenshots, activity or names.
Pairing is checked
The connection code includes a fingerprint of the Host's identity key, and the app verifies it before sending anything, so a lookalike server cannot impersonate your Host.
Limits
The Host computer must be on for people to connect. Some networks block direct connections; there is no relay by design, so tracking continues locally and syncs when a route exists.
Setting up remote access
- In the Host, open Team and choose "Let staff work from home".
- Pick a company name, 3 to 30 letters, numbers or hyphens.
- Give each person their code, which includes the company name.
- They enter it in the app, which checks your Host's identity before sending anything.
Keep the recovery code the Host shows you in a safe place; it lets you take the name back on a new computer.
If someone cannot connect
- Check the Host computer is on, awake and online.
- Check the code has not expired; make a new one if needed.
- Try another network; some strict networks block direct connections.
- Check the date and time on both computers are set automatically.
Questions people ask
Is there a cost for remote access?
No. Remote access is included for every plan.
What if my company name is taken?
Choose another, or move an existing name with your recovery code.
Try Clockgauge
Clockgauge is an employee and freelancer time tracker that runs on your own computer: timers, consented random screenshots, activity levels, clients, projects and tasks, budgets, payroll balances and reports, paid once instead of per user per month..