Finding The Right Biometric Time Clock – The largest question that HR professionals have about biometric functionality is often related to understanding what type of benefits there are to using biometrics as a security measure.
When to look at Biometrics
There actually are three really common scenarios where people tend to favor a biometric time clock:
- Better accuracy: Sometimes human resource professionals decide that requiring people to use their finger to swipe in will improve the accuracy of the employee clock-in system. Implementation will certainly curb the practice of swiping an employee’s id in for them when they are not there.
- Internal high-security access: If you do work with local government or police agencies, chances are they will require that you keep your records locked away in an office or room that can only be accessed using a biometric time clock.
- Full facility high-security access: For some businesses, switching all entry points over to access via a biometric time clock can also attract private sector clients that appreciate the extra level of security that you are providing. And of course, your facility will be safer- and so will your data.
Compelling Features
There are a variety of areas where a biometric time clock that snaps into a human resources and security system can help you save time and money.
Always available
Because the latest biometric time clock utilizes Linux as an operating system, it allows for better synchronization with a variety of network conditions. It is now possible to use DHCP as a means of providing IP addresses. It is also possible to remotely configure the biometric time clock from a web browser login.
The system is literally always available because it caches information in memory, allowing employees to clock in and out, even if your network is down.
Modular
The Mitrefinch Biometric Time Clock is one of a series of time clock devices that are completely compatible with each other. Installation on site is easy because they are all set to interface with the centralized network. Of course, if you are a customer that requires a biometric time clock tied to a local server due to security precautions, the system can be installed locally- and all clocks will work seamlessly with it.
Other types of clocks that you can choose from include desktop models, proximity time clocks and smartphone software.
Extensible
If you are an HR professional, there is a lot of upside to buying into a system that satisfies all your needs and can be expanded. Over the past decade, work habits in many companies have changed because mobile devices have allowed people to work from almost any location.
Thus having a centralized system that can accept data from any type of device expected to be in use can be a key to success. The Mitrefinch biometric time clock belongs to a system that not only has the capability of passing information to employees separately or as a group, it can also tell management instantly how many staff are on site in case of an emergency.
More importantly, it can be extended using configuration and web service development, giving it the type of lifespan that makes it a very cost-effective purchase.
Strong security
There are, of course, different levels of sophistication when it comes to biometrics. Some of the lower end devices that are attached to consumer entry locks for your home have been cracked by hackers. There are also cases where some employees may exist in the employee database, but they have a lot of trouble swiping their finger so that the lock recognizes them and allows them to enter.
Fortunately, Mitrefinch factors this in when they do their testing before their clocks are released. If there were any questions about security strength, they certainly don’t belong to the level of biometric hardware that they use.
With regard to workers having trouble accessing the worksite in some cases, one of the only things that can correct errors like that is extensive testing of your product. Mitrefinch has been in business for years with its timeclocks, giving it an opportunity to test out errors that you might encounter when you use differently branded clocks. As a consequence, most companies do not encounter fingerprint read errors with employees that are in their employee database.
Biometric time clocks that serve as a modular piece of an integrated employee check-in system need to be robust, redundant, flexible, and easy-to-use. Mitrefinch biometrics have been shown to be a market technology leader that can meet your requirements, as well as enhance your overall security.
