ZKTeco manufactures hundreds of device models spanning more than two decades of production. Some push attendance data to a cloud server in real time; others store records locally and require manual USB exports or proprietary software. Before investing time in a cloud-based attendance setup, you need to know which category your device falls into.

This guide walks you through ten practical checks — from a 30-second visual inspection to a definitive live connection test — so you can confirm cloud compatibility yourself, without calling a technician.

1. Open the COMM Menu and Look for "Cloud Server" or "ADMS"

⏱ 1–2 minutes · Easy

The fastest software-based check is right on the device itself. If the communication menu includes a cloud server option, you have your answer immediately.

On most ZKTeco devices, press Menu and navigate to COMM (Communication)
Look for a sub-menu labelled Cloud Server, ADMS, or Server
If this option exists, your device supports the ADMS cloud push protocol
If COMM only shows RS232, RS485, USB, or Wiegand with no network or server section, the device does not support cloud integration
On newer touchscreen models, check under Network → Cloud or System → Advanced → Cloud

💡 Tip: On some devices, COMM is labelled "Connection" or "Network" — check all communication-related menus before ruling it out.

2. Check Whether the Device Has an Ethernet Port or Built-In WiFi

⏱ 30 seconds · Easy

This is the quickest physical check you can do. ADMS requires a network connection — if the hardware isn't there, cloud push is impossible regardless of firmware.

ADMS transmits over TCP/IP — the device must physically connect to a network to push data
Inspect the back and sides of the device for an RJ45 (ethernet) port or a WiFi antenna label
A device with only USB and RS485 serial connectors is an offline-only unit — no cloud push is possible
An ethernet port alone does not guarantee ADMS support, but the absence of one rules it out entirely
Some newer models offer WiFi as an optional module; check for a "W" suffix in the model name (e.g., ZK400-W)

💡 Tip: No ethernet port and no WiFi? You can stop here — this device cannot support cloud integration. Consider upgrading to a current-generation model.

3. Navigate to System Info and Note the Firmware Version

⏱ 1–2 minutes · Easy

The firmware version tells you when your device's software was built. ADMS has been available in ZKTeco firmware since approximately 2011, with broader adoption across product lines from around 2015. The firmware version date is a useful indicator.

From the device menu, go to System Info or About Device
The firmware version string is displayed on screen (e.g., "Ver 6.60 Mar 12 2019")
ADMS cloud push support has been available in ZKTeco firmware since approximately 2011, with wider adoption across product lines from around 2015
Firmware versions dated before 2011 are very unlikely to include ADMS support, and pre-2015 firmware may or may not include it depending on the model
Note the full firmware string — a firmware upgrade from ZKTeco may unlock ADMS on devices where the hardware supports it but the feature was not included in the original firmware

💡 Tip: Even if your firmware is older, don't give up yet. Contact ZKTeco support to ask if a firmware update is available for your specific model — it may unlock ADMS at no cost.

4. Look Up Your Exact Model Number on the ZKTeco Website

⏱ 5–10 minutes · Moderate

If the device menu didn't give a clear answer, the official product specifications page will. ZKTeco lists supported protocols for every current model.

The model name is printed on the front label or shown in System Info (e.g., SpeedFace-V5L, ProFace X, ZK9500, K40)
Visit zkteco.com, search for your exact model, and open the product specifications page
In the specifications, look for the words ADMS, Cloud, Push Protocol, or Third-Party Platform
If none of those terms appear in the specs, the device was not designed for cloud push
Pay attention to hardware revisions — the ZK400 and ZK400 Rev.2 may have different capabilities despite similar names

💡 Tip: Save the specs page as a PDF — you may need it later for support tickets or when comparing upgrade options.

5. Access the Device's Built-In Web Interface

⏱ 5–10 minutes · Moderate

ADMS-capable devices typically include an embedded web server. Accessing it from a browser confirms network capability and lets you check for cloud settings directly.

ADMS-capable ZKTeco devices typically run an embedded web server accessible from any browser on the same network
Find your device's IP address from Menu → COMM → Ethernet (or Network → IP Address)
Type that IP address into a browser address bar (e.g., http://192.168.1.201)
If a ZKTeco login page appears, the device has network intelligence — look for a Cloud Server or ADMS section in the web interface settings
If no web page loads at the device's IP, the unit is a simpler offline terminal without a network stack

💡 Tip: Default login credentials vary by model — common defaults include admin / admin@123 or administrator / 123456. Check your device's manual if those don't work.

6. Check the ZKBio Cloud or BioTime Compatibility List

⏱ 5–10 minutes · Moderate

ZKTeco maintains official lists of devices compatible with their own cloud platforms. Since these platforms use the same ADMS protocol, compatibility with BioTime means compatibility with any ADMS-based system.

ZKTeco publishes official supported device lists for their own cloud platforms: ZKBio Cloud and BioTime 8
Download the compatibility list from the ZKTeco support portal (support.zkteco.com) or request it from your local ZKTeco distributor
If your model appears on that list, it supports ADMS — the same protocol used by ZKTeco's own cloud platforms and any ADMS-compatible cloud HR platform
Devices absent from the list are almost always offline-only units
The compatibility list is updated with each new BioTime release, so check the most recent version rather than an archived copy

💡 Tip: ADMS is the same protocol used by ZKTeco's own cloud platforms. If your device works with BioTime or ZKBio Cloud, it will work with any ADMS-compatible platform — including Attenyo.

7. Enter a Test Server Address and Watch for a Heartbeat

⏱ 10–15 minutes · Technical

This is the definitive test. If your device sends a heartbeat to a test server, cloud push is confirmed beyond any doubt.

If you found a Cloud Server menu (Check 1), perform a live connection test before committing to a cloud platform
On a computer connected to the same network, run any simple HTTP listener on port 80 (or use a free tool like Webhook.site to generate a public test URL)
Enter that address in the device's Cloud Server settings and save
Within 1–3 minutes, the device should send a heartbeat GET request to the address
If you see an incoming request, cloud push is active and working; if nothing arrives after 5 minutes, verify the IP/DNS, port, and that no firewall is blocking outbound HTTP on the device's network segment

💡 Tip: This is the gold standard test. If you see a heartbeat request arrive, your device is cloud-ready — no further checks needed.

8. Identify the SDK Category: Standalone, Pull, or Push

⏱ 5–10 minutes · Research

ZKTeco classifies its devices into three SDK tiers, each with a fundamentally different approach to data retrieval. Only one tier supports true cloud push.

ZKTeco categorises its devices into three SDK tiers with very different data retrieval methods:
Standalone SDK — data is stored on the device only and retrieved by plugging in USB or running polling software. No cloud push.
Pull SDK (ZKAccess / ZKTime) — the server polls the device on demand. Requires the server to initiate every sync — not true cloud push.
Push SDK / ADMS — the device initiates contact and sends records automatically. This is full cloud integration.
Ask your ZKTeco distributor or reseller which SDK tier your model falls under; only "Push SDK" or "ADMS" confirms cloud readiness

💡 Tip: Don't confuse "Pull SDK" with "Push SDK" — the names sound similar but they work in opposite directions. Only Push SDK means the device sends data on its own.

9. Search the ZKTeco Developer Portal or ADMS Protocol Document

⏱ 10–15 minutes · Advanced

For the most authoritative answer, consult the official ADMS protocol specification. This document lists every compatible firmware family by name.

ZKTeco publishes the ADMS Push Protocol specification (sometimes titled "ADMS 2.x Specification" or "Cloud Push Protocol") for system integrators
The document lists all compatible device firmware families by name
If your device's firmware family is named in that document as a supported client, it is ADMS-compatible
The protocol document is available from the ZKTeco developer portal, authorised distributors, or by requesting it directly from ZKTeco technical support
This is the most authoritative source — if your firmware family is not listed, no amount of configuration will enable cloud push on that device

💡 Tip: If you can't find the protocol document online, email your regional ZKTeco office or distributor and ask for the "ADMS Push Protocol Specification" — they can usually provide it within a few business days.

10. Examine the Original Box and Printed Quick-Start Manual

⏱ 2–5 minutes · Easy

Sometimes the answer is on the packaging. ADMS-capable devices almost always advertise cloud support on the box and in the quick-start guide.

The original product packaging for ADMS-capable devices almost always features the words Cloud, ADMS, or Cloud Server Setup on the box or in the quick-start guide
Open the printed quick-start manual and check the table of contents for a section titled Cloud Server Configuration or ADMS Settings
If the manual only covers USB data download and installation of ZKAccess or ZKTime software — with no cloud or server configuration section — the device was not designed for cloud push
The presence of a "Network Setup" section in the manual is a positive signal but not conclusive on its own; look specifically for cloud or ADMS configuration steps
If you no longer have the printed manual, search for the PDF version on zkteco.com using your model number

💡 Tip: Lost the manual? Search for "[your model number] user manual PDF" on zkteco.com or your regional ZKTeco website.

Quick-Reference Summary

Recommended approach: Start with Check 2 (30-second physical inspection). If the device has an ethernet port, try Check 1 (device menu). If you find the Cloud Server option, jump to Check 7 (heartbeat test) for definitive confirmation.

What's Next?

Most ZKTeco devices manufactured after 2016 with an ethernet port include ADMS support out of the box. If your device passes these checks, it can connect to any ADMS-compatible cloud attendance platform — no proprietary middleware required.

Attenyo is built on the ADMS protocol. Once you've confirmed your device supports cloud push, connecting it takes minutes: enter Attenyo's server address in your device's Cloud Server settings, and attendance data starts flowing automatically. No software installation, no USB transfers, no manual exports.

If your device doesn't support ADMS, your options are:

Firmware upgrade — contact ZKTeco to check if an update is available for your model
Device replacement — current-generation ZKTeco devices ship with ADMS enabled by default

Does Your ZKTeco Device Support Cloud Integration? 10 Ways to Find Out

1. Open the COMM Menu and Look for "Cloud Server" or "ADMS"

2. Check Whether the Device Has an Ethernet Port or Built-In WiFi

3. Navigate to System Info and Note the Firmware Version

4. Look Up Your Exact Model Number on the ZKTeco Website

5. Access the Device's Built-In Web Interface

6. Check the ZKBio Cloud or BioTime Compatibility List

7. Enter a Test Server Address and Watch for a Heartbeat

8. Identify the SDK Category: Standalone, Pull, or Push

9. Search the ZKTeco Developer Portal or ADMS Protocol Document

10. Examine the Original Box and Printed Quick-Start Manual

Quick-Reference Summary

What's Next?

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