Biometric fingerprint vs facial recognition clocking in
Automated time and attendance systems offer a greater choice of clocking-in methods than ever before – from web clocking to phone clocking to biometric terminals.
While greater choice is always welcome, it can be a challenge to decide between the many options available for keeping track of staff.
Ever since Bundy patented his first mechanical time clock in 1890, businesses have made use of clocking-in methods to keep track of the hours worked by employees.
Technological advances have allowed ever more sophisticated ways of gathering time and attendance data from workers.
In response to the complexity of multiple sites, growing workforces and variable patterns of working, the latest clocking-in options now offer the use of biometric technology for greater efficiency and to safeguard against time fraud.
The benefits of biometric time tracking
It may seem futuristic but the use of biometric time tracking is increasing across the globe. Biometric technology is utilised for everyday purposes from airport security to library passes, to school lunch payments.
It works by using a person’s unique characteristics – such as a fingerprint, hand, facial or iris recognition – rather than the traditional punch or RFID cards. Biometric readers record the time and date of access.
Their usefulness in time clocking employees seems obvious as the unique biometrics of an employee is an easy, reliable and safe way to clock in and out of work. It also ensures workers are where they say they are.
Our benefits time tracking include:
Easy installation and use
Once the employee’s unique feature has been scanned and coded they can quickly be shown how to use the biometric system to clock in and out.
The systems are secure and work by encoding the face, hand or fingerprint, not the face or fingerprint itself. No more replacement of lost cards or fobs.
Prevention of time theft
Biometric time clocking means that employees cannot clock in and out for each other or misreport on breaks. Known as ‘buddy-clocking’ or ‘buddy-punching’, the unique features of biometric tracking mean that time theft will no longer be costing your business
Increases accuracy and ease of payroll
Biometric time and attendance systems can automatically generate timesheets for employees which can be sent to your Payroll team.
This means an accurate and effortless payroll every time. It saves businesses the time and headache of poring over other types of time data.
Gives you valuable data
The collected time and attendance data can be invaluable for analysis that can inform future business decisions.
Useful management tool
Many time and attendance systems which use biometric tracking are cloud-based. This means it’s easier to adapt than on-premise systems and also that it’s accsessible by managers and staff alike via a web interface.
These systems are also scalable so can grow as and when your business needs change. The accuracy of biometric time clocking also gives supervisors real-time data about staff on-site – useful for any emergency procedures and spotting unplanned absences.
So we’ve looked at the facts. Biometric is here to stay for a HOST of reasons. But which biometric system is best for your business.
Today we’ll be looking at:
Biometric fingerprint vs facial recognition clocking
Fingerprint clocking in
An employee’s fingerprint can be easily scanned in to set them up on the system, creating unique codes related to their fingerprint.
When the employee clocks in using their fingerprint the system compare the print to the stored code.
In this way, the fingerprints themselves aren’t stored which means there are no personal privacy issues.
Pro
- Easy to use
- Multiple uses – clocking in/out. Breaks. Departments etc
- Hard to forget clocking equipment (It’s your finger)
- Tries and tested – our most used system
- Works anywhere
- Affordable – our prices start from £149.00
Cons
- Unsuitable for some employees with worn fingerprints
- Sites with dirty hands can be an issue
- Touch clocking
Perfect for
- Offices
- Manufacturing
Facial recognition clocking in
When an employee’s face is scanned-in, algorithms are calculated, usually referencing the key points of a person’s face and turning them into a unique code.
Again, when the employee clocks in, this time by facial recognition, the system compares their face to the stored algorithm.
Facial recognition terminals do not require any physical contact by the employee when clocking in.
Pros
- No-touch clocking
- Easy to use
- Multiple uses – clocking in/out. Breaks. Departments etc
- Hard to forget clocking equipment (It’s your face)
- Affordable – our prices start from £289.00
Cons
- Needs to be placed in areas with good light
Perfect for
- Healthcare
- Building sites
- Food production
Implementation of biometric terminals
Naturally, your staff may at first have concerns about the use of their biometric data.
It’s a good idea to talk to them and explain how the new biometric time and attendance system works and to reassure them about any personal privacy or security concerns.
The use of biometrics is a technology with which they will be becoming increasingly familiar, such as using it to unlock their smartphones, so using it at work is no different.
Whether you opt for biometric fingerprint or facial recognition, you’ll be helping your business to control time theft, manage secure access and save money due to increased efficiency.
Shop for our clocking units here.
To book a demo, click here.
To watch a pre-recorded demo, click here.