Two ways to set it up
Separate accounts or one combined account
Both options keep each company’s employees in the right place. They differ in what is shared between the companies, how much setting up there is and how your managers log in.
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1. A separate account for each company
Each company gets its own ClockRite Cloud account, with its own employees, terminals, data, settings and users. The accounts stand completely apart. They can’t be linked together, nothing is shared between them, and nothing is copied from one to another automatically, so each company is set up and run on its own.
Managers and logins
A manager who looks after more than one company needs a login in each account. Every login needs its own email address, because an email address can only be used in one ClockRite Cloud account.
Moving data between accounts
If you do need information to pass from one account to another, the ClockRite Cloud REST API makes it possible, but it is custom development. Your own developers decide what needs to move and how it should be handled. See integrations →
Why choose it
Things to weigh up
Best for
Companies that run independently and don’t share terminals, staff or data.
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2. One combined account for all your companies
All of your companies share a single ClockRite Cloud account. You create departments for each company, named so it is obvious which company each one belongs to, and put every employee in the right department.
Managers and logins
Managers can be given access to their own company’s departments only, so they never see employees from the other companies. Each manager needs just one login.
Shared data
Data is shared across the account, so you set things up once and nothing has to be entered twice. The departments and manager permissions are what keep the companies apart.
Why choose it
Things to weigh up
Best for
Companies that share terminals or staff, such as agency workers who clock in on the same devices as your own employees.
Side by side
The two options compared
A separate account for each company gives you the cleanest split, with more to set up. One combined account saves duplication, as long as you take care over departments and manager permissions.
| Separate accounts | One combined account | |
|---|---|---|
| Sharing data | Not possible | Shared across the account |
| Setting up | Each company configured on its own | Set up once |
| Shared terminals | Not supported | Supported |
| Manager logins | A login and email address for each company | One login, limited to their own departments |
| Keeping companies apart | Each company has its own account | Departments and manager permissions |
| Moving data between companies | Only through the API, with custom development | Not needed, as the data is already shared |
| Best for | Independent companies | Companies that share staff or terminals |
Setting up
Running several companies in one account
If a combined account is the right fit, these are the steps. Our UK-based team can help you plan your departments and set up your managers.
1. Plan your department names
Decide on a naming pattern that makes the company obvious, such as starting every department name with the company’s name, so nobody puts an employee in the wrong place.
2. Create each company’s departments
Add the departments for every company in the one account, then put each employee in the department they work in.
3. Limit each manager to their own company
Give managers access to their own company’s departments only. They log in once and only ever see the employees they are responsible for.
Employees from every company, agency workers included, register on the same terminals. Their departments keep each clocking with the right company.
Why ClockRite
One partner for every company in your group
More than 5,000 businesses trust ClockRite, and we have helped UK businesses with time and attendance since 1999. Whether you run one company or several, our UK-based team helps you choose the right set-up and supports you afterwards.
5,000+
Businesses trust ClockRite
55+ years
Combined experience of our current team
Since 1999
Helping UK businesses with time and attendance
UK based
Support team and UK hosted software
4.8
Average rating on Google reviews
2 ways
To run several companies, separate or combined
FAQs
Multiple company questions
Can’t see yours? Call our sales team on 01246 948451 or email [email protected]. Existing customers can call support on 01246 267715.
Can you have multiple company accounts in ClockRite Cloud?
Yes. A parent company can run several companies either as a separate ClockRite Cloud account for each company, or as one combined account where each company has its own departments.
Can separate accounts be linked together?
No. Separate accounts are completely independent. They can’t be linked, and data isn’t shared or copied between them automatically. If your companies need to share terminals, staff or data, one combined account is the better choice.
Can we move data between separate accounts?
It may be possible through the ClockRite Cloud REST API, but it needs custom development by your own developers, who decide what information should move and how. See integrations for more on the API.
Can one manager look after more than one account?
Yes, but they need a separate login in each account, and each login needs its own email address. In a combined account, a manager needs only one login.
Can the same email address be used in two accounts?
No. An email address can only be used in one ClockRite Cloud account, so a manager who works across separate accounts needs a different email address for each one.
How are companies kept apart in a combined account?
By departments and manager permissions. Each company has its own departments, named so the company is obvious, and each manager is given access to their own company’s departments only.
Can agency workers use the same terminals as our employees?
Yes, with a combined account. Everyone registers on the same terminals, and their departments keep each person’s clockings with the right company.
Which option do you recommend?
For companies that run independently and don’t share terminals or data, we generally recommend separate accounts, so each company stays cleanly apart. For companies that share staff or terminals, one combined account usually works better.
Can ClockRite help us decide?
Yes. Tell us how your companies work together and our UK-based team will help you choose and set up the right structure. Get in touch, or existing customers can call support on 01246 267715.