Biometrics for time, attendance, and security

Tracking employee time sheets has been an administrative burden for many years. The typical small business has to spend several hours a month processing time sheets that are typically prepared by their workers.

The most common method I have seen is a simple document that is manually written each week. Some companies have stepped it up one level by utilizing spreadsheets on the computer.

There are several new technologies out there that make employee time tracking a breeze and simple to manage.

Punch clocks have been around for a very long time. In the past decade, electronic versions of these simple machines have added some value to the daily task of time tracking.

Larger businesses have become accustomed to the robust reporting capabilities of their electronic systems. But in years past, finding practical technology for time and attendance tracking hasn’t been easy for the small business owner. Most systems were cumbersome, bundled with useless features, and very expensive.

Thankfully, as with many other technologies, the time and attendance systems have come down in price.

There are a few systems out there that combine electronic tracking with biometric technology. If you are not familiar with biometrics, the technology is simply a way to track an individual using their unique physical traits (fingerprint, hand measurements, retinas, etc.).

For added value, these systems can be bundled with security enhancements. In some businesses, a biometric control lock can be placed at a main entrance (or employee access door). Each employee is then required to place their fingerprint on the lock to gain entry. At the same time, the time and attendance system is logging the entry and time-stamping the employees “time sheet”.

At the end of the day, a report is generated that shows the employee access and their time at the work place.

This bundled approach is a great time-saver and adds a layer of physical security that most people don’t realize when thinking about time and attendance.

Run a search on the Internet for time and attendance systems along with biometric access. For a small investment, you can relieve some of your administrative burden and step up your physical security.