AttendX: Bridging Hardware and Software

AttendX was one of my most challenging projects because it wasn't just about code—it was about making hardware and software talk to each other. I built this to solve a real-world problem: the slow and manual process of taking attendance in schools and offices.

The Challenge

I had to bridge the gap between an ESP32 microcontroller (the hardware) and a modern Next.js dashboard. The goal was to have a student or employee just tap a card, and have their attendance reflected on the screen in milliseconds.

What I tackled:

• IoT Integration: I wrote the firmware for the ESP32 and built the API to receive the data.
• Real-Time Updates: I used Supabase to make sure the dashboard updates instantly as soon as a card is tapped.
• Simplified Admin: I built a dashboard that even non-technical staff can use to see attendance reports and manage users.

The System

AttendX is more than just an app; it's a full-stack IoT solution.

The Hardware Side

I designed the system to be low-power and reliable. The ESP32 scans RFID cards and sends the data over Wi-Fi to my backend. I added local feedback (LEDs and buzzers) so the user knows their tap was successful.

The Software Side

• Instant Dashboard: I built a live-updating table that shows who’s in and who’s out.
• Smart Reporting: I used Puppeteer to generate PDF reports that can be emailed to managers or parents.
• User Management: You can add or remove users and assign RFID tags with just a few clicks.

The Tech Stack

This was a multi-language build. I used Next.js for the dashboard, Tailwind CSS for the UI, and PostgreSQL (via Supabase) for the database. On the hardware side, I used Arduino C++ for the ESP32 firmware. I even integrated some PHP for legacy system compatibility.

Status

AttendX is a functional prototype that demonstrates how I can integrate physical hardware with modern web platforms.

Links

Demo: https://attendx.thenicedev.xyz

Tech Stack

• Next.js
• ESP32 (Arduino C++)
• Tailwind CSS
• PostgreSQL
• Supabase
• Puppeteer

Want to talk IoT? hello@thenicedev.xyz