Life for the average college student has become increasingly hectic. With full course loads, extracurricular activities, jobs, internships, and trying to maintain a social life, a student’s schedule can become pretty tight. For students that commute to school such as myself, add to that list two, if not more, hours of travel time each day to and from campus. Also, let’s not forget the countless people who commute for work each day. Inaccurate clocks? Who has the time? For the hoards of commuters who depend on public transportation daily, synchronized clock systems are not only a timesaver, but a lifesaver.

While there are many different modes of transportation, one of the most popular for commuters is the train. Commuting by train saves gas money, avoids the hassle of rush hour traffic, and provides the opportunity for multitasking that driving does not allow. However, taking the train is also a time-sensitive means of transportation as it forces the commuter to adhere to a strict schedule. We’ve all seen the briefcase-toting businessman anxiously running through the station, desperately trying to catch his train. Little did I know that I would soon find myself in the same situation (though for my purposes replace “briefcase-toting businessman “ with “backpack-toting college student”). I recall many times in which I hurriedly left a class at 2:50 just to rush and catch a train at 2:59. Moments such as these gave me an appreciation for how time-sensitive the commuting lifestyle really is.

Sapling’s IP Clock system is an excellent investment for train stations that transport hundreds of these busy commuters each day. Those passengers who rely on trains for daily transportation are never happy if they miss their ride, particularly if it is at the fault of an incorrect station clock. Also, inaccurate clocks can lead travelers to believe that trains are running either early or late, regardless if they are actually on schedule. If this occurs, there may be an influx of complaints or a general lack of confidence in the train system. Many commuters may even decide upon an alternate means of transportation for fear of unreliable trains which may cause them to be late to their classes or jobs. With Sapling’s IP Clock system, this problem is alleviated. Every clock in the station will receive its time from an NTP server, assuring that not only are all the clocks displaying the same time, but are completely accurate as well.

In large train stations specifically, it is important to have accurate clocks in numerous locations, as passengers are often concerned with routinely checking the time in order to remain on schedule. However, with dozens of clocks in a large station, how will station managers know when a clock is malfunctioning? By installing a Sapling IP Clock System, station managers can supervise all of the clocks in a station from a single computer using the IP Monitor software. The days of physically moving to each and every clock in the facility are in the past. Using the web interface, station managers can ensure that all clocks are in sync and working correctly. Don’t have time to consistently check the IP monitor for errors? No problem. By setting up the software with an e-mail address, the station manager will automatically receive an e-mail if there is ever a problem with one of the clocks. Because of this feature, station managers can correct errors before ever hearing a single complaint.

A synchronized clock system, such as Sapling’s IP Clock system, can make days more timely and efficient for both station managers and busy commuters, and will greatly reduce the stress and confusion that inaccurate clocks tend to cause. After all, when I want to determine if I have ample time to grab my morning coffee before the train is due to depart, I want the exact time, not just an estimate. I know from experience that for many commuters, just a few minutes can make all the difference.