Biometric Time Clock Systems: The Value and Benefits

Accurate attendance tracking has become increasingly relevant, especially in light of today’s economy. Biometric time clocks offer a secure and efficient way to track employee attendance and ensure accurate payroll information.

Biometric information involves the personal details that distinguish individuals from one another, such as fingerprints, eyes, voice, and facial features. Because these biometric features are so unique, biometrics provide a useful way to verify a person. By using biometric systems and biometric verification, businesses can reduce manual data entry errors and improve the accuracy of their payroll records.

How does a biometric attendance system work?

Biometric time clocks help business owners track the number of hours and shifts that employees actually work to avoid things like employee time theft. Instead of requiring employees to log in using a keycard or a PIN code, which can easily be compromised, staffers can use biometric identifiers to clock in and out using their fingers, eyes, voice, retinal scans, or facial features.

Biometric technology minimizes common forms of time and attendance fraud, such as buddy punching, ghost employees, and supervisor fraud. Most biometric facial recognition technology works on any device with a camera and can be compatible with iOS and Android devices.

Because of biometric time clock systems that use advanced features like fingerprint time clock systems and finger scans, employers can dismiss antiquated employee clock systems, such as time tracking kiosks or time clock stations (time clock recorders). For companies that hire remote employees, such as cleaners or mobile patrol security guards, biometric clocks make it easier to accurately track employee time clock schedules.

Biometrics also helps overcome language barriers, which are common in the security and cleaning industries. When employees have trouble communicating with supervisors, it can slow down the collection of time punches. With biometric identifiers, there is less of a need to discuss attendance, as employees only need to bring their face to a device with a camera.

Functionality You’ll Want To Look For In a Biometric Solution

Facial recognition

Although biometric attendance systems are available for fingers, eyes, or voices, facial recognition is generally the most secure and can be accessed via a smartphone or tablet with a camera. Employers simply need to have images on file of each employee, while a biometric fingerprint reader (fingerprint scanner), palm, or iris reader requires more equipment.

An added benefit to using facial recognition is for cleaning professionals. Janitors may use chemicals that damage the accuracy of their fingerprints or leave traces of chemicals on biometric fingerprint technology. Clocking in and out using facial recognition systems bypasses the chance of chemicals damaging fingerprint readings.

Mobile technology

Employers who wish to implement biometric solutions like biometric time clock systems will need to find biometric time clock software that is compatible with modern smartphone technology, which most employees will have on hand.

Biometric facial recognition technology recognizes the unique facial features of each employee who is logging in using a smartphone or tablet. Once identity has been confirmed, the punch action can be logged into a database, such as an integrated workforce management solution.

iOS and Android compatible

Roughly 68% of the population uses smartphones. In particular, Google’s Android system and Apple’s iOS are the most used smartphone operating systems by a considerable margin. That means biometric software compatible with both iOS and Android smartphones will be the most beneficial on a job site, as employees will most likely have a combination of the two systems.

Adopting biometric software that works with both iOS and Android systems will make the acclimation process much more efficient and seamless for employees. iOS and Android devices should already have a camera, and employees may already use some form of facial recognition software or time attendance software, making the process more user-friendly.

No internet connectivity needed

Biometric technology is highly useful in the field, where it’s easy to access wireless internet. However, it is also useful in spaces where there is limited internet access. In some instances, a janitor’s closet could be two stories underground. Or, a security guard may report to an office building that requires a password before accessing the internet or doesn’t allow access to local wireless networks.

Biometric technology solutions that function without requiring internet access are key when workers fail to gain access to a wireless network. Using the offline mode, employees can still clock in and out of the system. When the device is later able to connect to the internet, as the employee leaves the site or a site device is periodically brought out of the building, the data is sent back to a database for supervisors to review.

Location tracking

Geofencing technology is designed to record the movements of a person using satellite signals and when combined with biometric technology, it allows managers to know exactly where their workers are when they clock in and out without being physically present on the site.

Industries with distributed workforces, such as security and cleaning professionals, could benefit from location information, especially when used in combination with biometric time clocks.

The TEAM Software and Findd partnership

Traditional timekeeping solutions are vulnerable to misrepresentation from employees and supervisors. By eliminating instances where employees have to manually punch in and out of work, biometric time clocks increase the chances of accurate time and attendance tracking.

TEAM Software has partnered with Findd to provide access to the latest in biometric time-tracking technology. By collaborating with this recognized brand, TEAM remains focused on addressing workforce management needs to better manage employees.

Other leading commercial cleaning and security TEAM Software clients have already successfully deployed and still use Findd in their operations because the TEAM Software workforce management solution is still their main source for records and employee scheduling information.

Benefits of Time and Labor Management Software

1. Automate to simplify: Stop relying on spreadsheets and paper time cards. Time and labor management software automates this business-critical function and eliminates manual processes, resulting in fewer errors and cost savings.
2. Manage Your People: Provide proof that guards and cleaners are on-site and on time. Boost engagement, productivity, and accountability with business management software for service contractors. Address attendance issues immediately to keep shifts filled and work done.
3. Support Site and Customer Needs: No matter the site or customer, you have options. Choose a cloud-based telephone call-in option, biometric identification, mobile apps with GPS, or a combination to collect time easily and track attendance at every site.
4. Field to Back Office: With time and labor management, you need to track attendance from anywhere. Use alerts and notifications to gain visibility and ensure coverage. Review time and attendance records for payroll, and view reporting on call stats, errors, and exceptions.

 

Want to find out more? Click here to set up a discussion on how you can put TEAM and Findd to work for you.