11 Oct How to use biometric scanners for your business
The benefits of biometric scanners for your business can prove staggering. Not only do they offer you accurate timekeeping resources and reduce the risk of human error, but primarily, increase security for your business premises. For many industries – such as food and drink, finance, healthcare and even government institutions – a biometric system is an attractive option, particularly in an era where security is a huge concern for many. As such, we are sharing how to use and implement biometric devices.
Biometric basics
Biometric devices are an alternative to traditional security measures. Most people understand the workings of biometric fingerprint scanners, with more companies integrating readers into their security infrastructures. The software for biometric systems stores a template of the user’s fingerprint – not an image – and matches it against templates stored in the company’s database, providing the individual with certain permissions and access.
The very nature of a biometric system offers more security and peace of mind to business owners. Essentially, there is a reduced risk of an individual gaining access to your premises or particular areas within the building without the correct user permissions. This, in turn, minimises the potential of human error, especially if an employee loses their key card or even shares a code with an individual not granted that access.
Set up
There are many misconceptions surrounding biometric scanners; one such being that it will take substantially longer to implement. While the installation of biometric devices can, certainly, take longer than filing a timesheet, it will, prove much more efficient in the long run. For instance, traditional time management software or timesheets require training and personnel to maintain the system, subsequently costing more. Similarly, these systems allow for leaks of information and time theft, particularly if employees are signing in for each other.
All of your employees will need to be present to enrol their fingerprint template once a system is installed, but this will, in turn, create a more secure workplace. In some cases – with our ievo biometric readers – the fingerprint enrolment can be done at multiple locations, as long as they each boast a device connected to the database. Those companies that offer multiple facilities for their employees will benefit from the simultaneous fingerprint enrolment.
Biometric fingerprint scanners offer much more usability and security after implementation and will reduce issues like time theft, as individuals are not able to replicate fingerprints for fraudulent activity.
Accurate and informative data
Knowledge is power. There is a huge amount of risk to your company if you are submitting or recording inaccurate security data. For instance, it’s easy to record an employee clocking in with a traditional time management system, but who’s to say it is actually that individual. They could, simply, have passed their badge to a coworker if they knew they would be running late. However, a biometric system provides in-built validity for your data. As mentioned above, those fingerprint templates cannot be shared and require the presence of the individual to enter and ‘clock in’.
Reliability
As mentioned earlier, biometric fingerprint scanners offer increased reliability. The employee fingerprint templates are stored in the database, and can only be removed if you actively choose to delete the template.
The risk of human error also increases the reliability and security of your company. You cannot simply lose your fingerprint, but you can certainly misplace your key card or share PIN codes with the wrong individuals. It’s also much easier to remove an individual’s fingerprint from the database should they move jobs, for instance, than changing passcodes to the building and specific areas within the company that the individual had access to.
Remote management
Biometric devices offer business owners and directors the ability to remotely manage their employees. It’s possible to access the database elsewhere to ensure that all employees have checked in and, of course, to allow or restrict access to specific individuals. Again, this is much easier and convenient for users – especially in the place of traditional timesheets.
As mentioned above, the capabilities of simultaneous fingerprint enrolment at multiple locations helps to save labour costs for companies.
Today, we are witnessing rapid growth within the biometric security industry. The ease of accessing the data, the accuracy, the implementation and overall costs help to promote a more secure workplace. There are many other reasons to adopt a biometric system within your company, and you can read more here. Alternatively, browse our ievo biometric reader products and help to protect your business premises.
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