Design of an IoT Server-Based Attendance System Integrated with an Application Using a Rule-Based Algorithm in the Public Works Department of Medan

Abstract

The implementation of a reliable attendance system is essential for improving data accuracy, operational efficiency, and employee discipline in public institutions. The Public Works Department of Medan previously relied on a manual attendance mechanism that was prone to errors, delays, and data manipulation. This study proposes the design and implementation of an IoT server-based attendance system integrated with a web application and supported by a rule-based algorithm for attendance validation. The system utilizes RFID technology and the ESP8266 microcontroller to capture attendance data in real time and transmit it to a centralized server for processing and storage.  A rule-based algorithm is applied to validate attendance records based on predefined organizational rules, such as valid scan time, duplicate detection, and user authentication. To support server capacity planning and ensure system responsiveness under peak load conditions, an M/M/C queueing model simulation is employed as an analytical tool rather than the main research focus. The simulation results provide insights into server utilization, waiting time, and queue length, assisting in determining an appropriate server configuration. The implementation results demonstrate that the proposed system improves accuracy, reduces administrative workload, and supports scalable server design. Overall, the system offers an effective and practical solution for modernizing attendance management in large public-sector organizations.