Introduction
As Philippine institutions ride the digital transformation wave, businesses adopt biometrics technology for more efficient operations. Gone are the days when employees needed to write their names on a logbook to record their attendance — more and more companies are installing fingerprint or facial recognition devices to automate tracking employee ins and outs.
If you’re a business owner just starting to adapt to new technologies or expanding and need a more efficient device to accurately record and track attendance across branches, choosing to install a biometrics device is a practical move. The technology has features that can support daily business operations related to people and asset management, and you don’t need to overhaul your whole system to use the device.
However, because each industry has unique operational needs, not all biometric devices are designed to serve the same purpose. With the sheer number of options available, you need to have a solid plan before buying any equipment. Internet of Things Philippines, Inc. offers a variety of biometric devices for you to choose from. Read our guide to learn what you should consider during your selection.
Which Biometric Device Is Best for Your Business?
The most suitable biometric device for your business depends primarily on your specific objectives and intended users. Some of the main reasons for utilizing the technology include efficiently recording attendance or boosting access security to certain assets. Meanwhile, the people using the device could be your employees or select authorized personnel, including you, the owner.
Government offices and businesses in the Philippines commonly use three biometric devices, either one of them or a combination of devices.
- Fingerprint recognition – Fingerprints are one of the oldest identification markers and remain effective today for biometrics recognition. Offices usually utilize them to log employee attendance.
- Iris recognition – Some businesses implement iris scanning to boost security in restricted places within their offices. Iris recognition devices require specialized cameras to record data.
- Face recognition – Prompted by the rise of contactless technology, more and more businesses in the Philippines are opting to install biometrics devices with face recognition capabilities. The system is favored as it offers an additional layer of security, though enrolling the data may take longer than simple fingerprints.
Ways To Determine Which Biometric System Will Work Best for Your Business
When using technology like biometric systems to run your business in the Philippines, you don’t simply visit a shop and buy the first device you find. In fact, with the sheer number of options, you might find it challenging to pick a machine. As such, you should prepare yourself before making a purchase. Here are some tips on how you can narrow down your choices:
Establish Your Goals for Using Biometrics Technology
Before diving into the selection process, it is helpful to determine why you’re using the biometrics technology in the first place. List down your purposes for procuring the device and align these goals with the models available on the market.
For small offices whose only requirement is a faster attendance system, a fingerprint scanner is sufficient. Meanwhile, larger organizations that require higher security for assets, such as banks or jewelry shops, may benefit from iris and facial recognition devices on top of fingerprint scanners for greater accuracy and tighter access control.
Check the Market for Available Biometric Devices
Once you’ve decided on your goals, check the market for available biometric machines. Be sure to contact only reputable vendors that carry reliable brands. For instance, Internet of Things Philippines Inc. carries a wide selection of biometric devices from renowned brands Suprema and IDEMIA.
Assess Your Existing Infrastructure
Biometric devices are not as simple as other plug-and-play devices. To maximize the device’s use, it should be integrated into your company’s existing systems, depending on what you’re using it for. If you’re installing the device for attendance tracking, a compatible attendance software should be connected to it for efficient recording.
Meanwhile, biometric readers used to grant access to company property should be integrated with your access control system to streamline processing and tracking.
Depending on your prerequisites, you should look for compatible biometric devices or consider overhauling your system. Experts from Internet of Things Philippines, Inc. can recommend the best course of action for you, depending on your goals.
Consider Your Company’s Population Size
Biometric attendance and access control are designed to be fast and efficient, but setting up the initial enrollment process can be time-consuming if you enroll a hundred or so employees into the system. Enrollment is the phase where people you want to authorize input their biometric data into the scanner, with the information recorded being referred to by the reader later.
You can streamline this process by developing an efficient enrollment strategy (e.g., per department enrollment, data enrollment during onboarding, etc.) that fits into your business operations. Additionally, choose an enrollment scanner with fast imaging and recording speed to expedite the process. Internet of Things Philippines Inc. has a selection of biometric enrollment scanners that come at reasonable prices for your consideration.
Evaluate Reviews on User Experience
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of options, read about customer reviews of the device you’re considering. Go to the shop website and check what users have to say about the product. Both employees’ and employers’ feedback are important—you’d want to know if the machine is user-friendly so your workers won’t find it a hassle, and you’d want to know if the management sees the recording of the machine as suitable for their goals.
Additionally, check reviews from reputable sources, such as internet forums and review sites. Pay attention to user feedback on the overall experience, as this reflects what you’ll be investing in. If possible, get in-person feedback as well.
Compute Acquisition and Implementation Costs
The price range of biometric fingerprint scanners in the Philippines is wide; you can procure a simple device for as low as P5,000 or buy a higher user and transaction capacity machine at P20,000 and up. Your exact expense will depend on your goals for using a biometric device.
However, note that the mentioned price ranges only include the upfront cost of the device. Installing and integrating it into your system comes with separate expenses. To compute the budget, consider inquiring with IT suppliers like the Internet of Things Philippines, Inc. As product suppliers and installers, such companies can give you a more accurate quotation.
Conclusion
Utilizing biometrics technology for your business in the Philippines is a practical move in this age, where workplace modernization is being prioritized. To stay competitive, you must acquire a device to help you accomplish your goals while remaining within your procurement budget. Consulting with product suppliers and IT experts will help eliminate the guesswork associated with buying a new device.
For your biometrics technology needs, consider reaching out to us at Internet of Things Philippines, Inc. Our selection of devices and years of experience in the field ensure that you’ll be getting the equipment that perfectly suits your business needs. Contact us today!
