LAURANKA
Choosing and Using Biometric Readers for Attendance Data Capture
Which Biometric Reader to Use
The use of Biometric Readers for Attendance Data Capture has been a common and widely used technology in the marketplace for some time now. Fundamentally the basis of all Biometric Readers is that they are designed to validate the identity of the individual using them. However the way in which different Readers achieve this, including method of interaction, performance (failure rates), speed, ease of use, etc. can be vastly different, and to a greater or lesser extent some do this better or worse than others. Therefore for any organisation looking to introduce Biometric Readers as part of a solution for Employee Attendance Recording it is important that when considering which Reader to use, you do so as to ensure you choose the correct Reader specific to your environment and requirements.
Given for most organisations both your greatest asset and single biggest expense is your labour resource, it is important to ensure the systems you put in place to help manage both your staff and the related labour costs are the most appropriate with consideration to your requirements, working environment and budget. Choosing the correct Reader for your specific organisation will have both tangible and intangible benefits through such things as, reduced wastage of time by both employees and administration staff in monitoring and chasing failed Clocking’s, decreasing employee congestion and frustration at clocking times, and equally important greater staff buy-in and acceptance of the solution you choose.
When considering Biometric use as part of your Attendance Solution here are some guides –
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If your working environment is fairly clean and you have staggered low volume demand though a Clocking point, then a conventional touch based biometric Reader may be appropriate (I.e. Fingerscan).
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If your environment is fairly dirty resulting in dirty hands, then going contactless may be more favoured (i.e. Facial or HandWave).
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If you have large numbers of staff transitioning through a Clocking point at any one time and want to ensure maximum throughput speed to help reduce queuing and congestion (especially in times where maintaining social distancing is important) then using a high speed contactless solution that doesn’t require the employee to stop should be considered (i.e. HandWave Reader).
With this in mind when considering Attendance Software it is important that you don’t just focus on the Software itself but consider the entire solution including the point of Data Capture for employees. For most employees this is the primary point of interaction they will have with any Attendance Solution you choose, so it is important that this is correct. As such we understand that for some organisations they may have incumbent Attendance Solutions or likewise wish to use 3rd party Attendance Software, so that is why we offer clients not only the option of running our Biometric Readers with our own Attendance Software, but also the option of running into Attendance Software by 3rd party providers by using our COMMS Sigma Interface Software. The result now being our Biometric Solutions are running in many hundreds of organisations, some with only a few staff right through to some with thousands, including into many of New Zealand’s most well-known and respected companies.
Lauranka New Zealand Ltd has now provided around 2,000 Biometric Readers for Attendance Recording Solutions over the past 20 years. Our philosophy has always been to offer our clients the best Biometric Attendance Solutions we can. Not only have we built long and established relationships with many of our amazing clients, but we also have a great long term relationship with our Reader supplier Idemia of France with whom we work closely. In Idemias latest Readers we genuinely believe these are some of the best Biometric Attendance Readers currently available, and in regards to the stunning contactless MorphoWave Compact HandWave Reader arguably the best. If you have never seen one of these new generation HandWave Readers in action please see the link below and let us help change your expectations of Biometric Performance.
If you are serious about wanting the best and most appropriate Biometric Reader for your Attendance Solution please talk to us today.
Considerations around Introducing
and Using Biometric Readers
As each and every organisation is different and unique, we would advise those who wish to introduce Biometric Readers for Attendance Recording to seek their own independent advice to ensure that both your introduction and use of the technology, data, etc., is done so in a responsible, correct and appropriate manner specific to your organisation, including falling within the framework of your employment contracts, applicable employment and privacy laws, or any other laws or regulations specific to your circumstances or jurisdiction.
Just like introducing any new technology or processes into your business that affects your employee's, doing so should be done in conjunction and consultation with your staff, provide a clear and accurate reason, including addressing any questions or concerns your staff have around the storage, use and privacy of data.
About the Technology and Software
The Idemia Readers that we supply (Sigma, VisionPass and MorphoWave) require an individual to Register their related biometrics on the Reader (i.e. in the case of the Sigma and MorphoWave this is fingers, and in the case of the VisionPass this is facial). This biometric data is stored within the Readers as an algorithm. When an individual Clocks on the Reader it validates the presented biometrics to the stored biometrics and creates a related raw punch data transaction that is stored internally in the Reader. The raw punch data produced is purely a time/date stamp related to the person having verified they have had a valid clocking (i.e., Time/Date, ID number, etc. It does not contain any biometric data).
Our Lauranka COMMS Software allows you to retrieved this raw punch data from the Reader(s) to a user defined file name and path. It also offers the ability of backing up and storing to the COMMS Software the biometric algorithms from the Reader(s). Downloading the algorithm to the COMMS Software (which YOU host, NOT Lauranka New Zealand Ltd) is not required to operate the system, but makes it easier to transfer the algorithms to any additional Readers (so you only need to register once), or likewise reload in case of a Reader replacement. Again storage and use of the data, like any other data you maintain on your employees should be in line with the laws of New Zealand (or any other jurisdiction) and your employment contracts.
The technology used in the Readers is not compatible with (New Zealand’s) police system (Sigma and MorphoWave Reader). However if the police had a search warrant, legal compulsion would allow them to take or access this or any other information they requested on the search warrant. The use of Biometric Readers for Attendance Data Capture is a commonly used technology in the marketplace now, and in terms of privacy and usage this is entirely between you and your employee’s and what is in your employment contracts. The units offer the option of PIN entry if desired.
The main benefit of using a Biometric Reader for Attendance Data Capture is that the individual must be on-site to clock (no buddy punching). But also on larger sites where traditionally perhaps a Swipe Card Reader or Manual Time Clock is being used you also eliminate the related cards and racks. Additionally in the case of the latest technology MorphoWave Compact Reader it provides the stunning ability to enable very fast contactless throughput of employees at Clocking points, resulting in reduced congestion while remaining incredibly accurate.
Links to articles you may find useful -
As the technology and our processes may evolved and change from time to time we will reflect any changes in the technology and software in the above.