Some of the most thrilling things about technology is that as the demand rises, for expensive items, prices can drop in as with Bio-Metric units. I remember when DVD Drives came out and they were going for $200 a drive. Most new PCs DVD Roms are by request only and the price is $20.
Some of my columns will speak to the end user this week I would like to expose you to the world of Bio-Metric for home use this might not apply. Nevertheless the options could be used in many different types of establishments.
Bio-Metric unit’s most popular usage is Fingerprint and Facial Recognition. These units are being used as a security device and for time and Attendance. Some Bio-Metric applications may be used for both purposes.
If we can remember the time punching clocks where a user took a card, dropped the car into the clock and then punched out after making the ‘Thunking ‘sound. Fast Forward nowadays people either have a PIN, HID card or Fingerprint method of clocking in.
A small unit is installed at the entrance of the office or another convenient location. The staff will use their finger to punch in and punch out. This is also a security feature if the place of business wants to know when someone has entered or exited the office.
The reason that Bio-Metric has become more popular is avoiding ‘Buddy-Punching‘. Though this isn’t legal a fellow coworker may ask that someone takes their card or PIN and logs that person out. With Fingerprint or facial readers. ‘Buddy punching is virtually impossible.
The units can also allow access to door at the entrance or within the office. One will use their finger and the unit’s authenticate entrance. Access can also be granted for a visitor.
With today’s security requirements this is really something owners could pursue. The units can be installed simply generally. Though from my experience a licensed Alarm installer should be called for the larger implantations. The configuration can be done with an IT professionals or on your own. If one is looking just for a standalone the units have network and USB connections.
We installed one of these units for a client of ours. We had some questions and called support to our surprise the owners were a Brooklyn owned company in Williamsburg called FingerTec.
As per Joel Kohen “Biometric security is viable to every size business because buddy punching is something that happens everywhere.” Joel Kohn–Manager Director of FingerTec USA
In addition to the security the time and Attendance program is really amazing. There is a cloud and local versions. The Fingerprint readers captures the time and can then be exported to Excel, ADP Payroll or QuickBooks amongst many other programs. As per Isaac Mittelman–Director of Sales at FingerTec USA explains. “Avoiding human errors with this technology ends up saving you time and money in the long run.”
Owners are looking for a simple way to manage payroll and attendance. The software also created by FingerTec called FingerCheck as demoed for the team. Owners can choose many alerts and options. If an employee is doing overtime or leaves early the owner can be alerted. One of the cutting edge apps FingerCheck has created is the Clock-less solution.
An employee will launch the phone app Droid or IOS based. The app uses GPS to display the exact location you ‘punch in ‘put notes in and when the appointment is completed one ‘punches out’ all via the app. All of the data can then be exported to many payroll and excel options.
Many professionals such as visiting nurses, OTs and PTs where they are dispatched to different locations could take advantage of this FingerTec technology.
There is different units and options depending on the need and budgets available.
Curious on if Facial Recognition is becoming more popular as per Kohen “The world isn’t ready yet but the technology is getting there–http://usa.fingertec.com/
Fascinating what throws off Facial recognition with a full beard I figured that would be an issue. Kohen explained the software actually captures points from the forehead to above the lip. Hairstyles can throw off the system go figure. I will have to take note of that but I feel blessed I have hair so I will not think about that problem.
Will one day teachers ask our children to run their finger on a reader when the teacher is taking attendance the sky’s the limit.
If you have any questions or comment Shneur Garb can be reached by [email protected]. Shneur is the CEO at The Garb IT Consulting Group in Teaneck, N.J.
By Shneur Garb
