Introduction
COVID-19 has undoubtedly made a significant impact on everyone’s lives, particularly those with various enterprises. Many establishments in the Philippines have been forced to close down, while many others are still struggling to meet the new set of requirements and safety protocols.
According to a survey conducted by the World Bank from July 7 to July 14, 2020, 4 out of 10 companies suspended operations in July either voluntarily or by government mandate. The study was done in collaboration with the Department of Finance (DOF) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). Meanwhile, 15% stated they had permanently closed, 45% indicated they were able to reopen, and only 5% declared they were running at full capacity.
The country’s economy, on the other hand, is gradually reopening. This will undoubtedly revitalize enterprises that have been harmed by the present economic crisis, but it will also pose a variety of public health issues.
Since the Philippines is in lockdown, many employees are working from home nowadays. However, some employees are still required to report physically at work.
Every company is concerned about this, given the possibility that one of their employees might become infected. Organizations are striving to install a safe and contactless time attendance system that guarantees great workforce management while minimizing the spread of COVID-19.
Contactless Time Attendance System as a Modern Biometrics Solution
Fortunately, there are several contactless time attendance system solutions. If your company uses standard biometric clocking systems that need a palm or fingerprint, simple system and software improvements can provide hands-free and contactless workforce management and tracking.
One of the most popular instances of a contactless time attendance system is facial recognition.
In addition to being quick, dependable, and simple to set up, this form of monitoring system only requires workers to stand in front of a small, digital gadget comparable to a smartphone. The system’s software will detect their face features and clock them in and out.
Despite the ongoing acceptability and adoption issues that the facial recognition system faces, it has emerged as the leader among biometric solutions. It can stand out even more in the future due to its contactless solution in a future touchless environment.
If your company does not adopt the facial recognition technology, there are alternative choices. There are RFID-enabled proximity cards, or you may clock in and out using web browsers and mobile devices with cloud-based time and attendance systems. This eliminates the need for employees to physically interact with a common clock system.
Why Switch to Contactless Time Attendance System?
When the pandemic initially broke out, experts cautioned everyone about contaminated surfaces such as doorknobs, handles, chairs, and desks that had been touched by COVID-19 afflicted persons. They stressed the importance of sanitizing all such surfaces and developing contactless solutions for daily operations.
Suppose your company uses a fingerprint system to track time attendance. Employees enter the workplace one by one, tapping the screen of the attendance system. Because of the frequent touches on the device, this may pose a significant risk. As a result, it is advised that contactless time attendance systems be used to further prevent virus propagation over compromised surfaces.
Aside from the contactless convenience that they provide, here are other reasons why you should consider switching to a contactless time attendance system:
Accuracy and Real-Time Tracking
Despite equipping individuals with computing devices, they can still be prone to making mistakes. Because of contactless time attendance solutions, they provide accurate time records and reduce the unavoidable and costly mistakes associated with human data input.
They also provide real-time tracking as well as automatic inputs for payroll processing. Managers may now construct “planned versus actual” reports to change work schedules and guide workforce operations in real time, which will aid in the management of alternative payment schedules.
Economics
Have you ever wondered why contactless time attendance systems save a lot of costs in the long run? It’s because they eliminate inaccuracies in time reporting, buddy punching, absenteeism, tardiness, time misuse, and overpayment. According to an Axsium Group study, large firms may save up to $1,600 per person after using time attendance systems.
Productivity or Efficiency
You don’t have to manually monitor and manage time attendance when you utilize contactless time attendance systems. Handling paper sheets and time cards, generating schedules, allowing leave and overtime, and making payroll can be really time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly since they require time to process.
Contactless time attendance systems will handle everything for you—from tracking employee hours to automatically integrating data into your payroll system. This will subsequently result in better resource use, which will lead to higher production and revenues.
Visibility
You may easily produce accurate reports on employees’ actual work hours, absences, and overtime. The time attendance systems also allow you to generate a monthly summary report for any of the data or groups inside the business.
This unified data from time attendance systems can greatly assist companies in strategically analyzing and improving policies on leave credits, hours, workplace culture, performance, compensation, and other matters.
Hassle-Free Workflow Management
Because time attendance systems give clear sight of all data and are simple to use, they can help speed up payrolls, leaves, and performance evaluations. This type of system also removes the need for manual scheduling because you can now manage the schedule, assign work, and keep track of shift swaps with just a few clicks.
Flexibility
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, most employees are now working from home, while some report to offices or distant sites. Using time attendance systems, organizations can keep track of their employees utilizing different clocking alternatives, such as cellphones, internet networks, swiping technologies, biometric terminals, or personal computers.
Time attendance systems also come in a variety of setups that may be tailored to your specific needs based on the nature of your work and your company’s regulations. There are solutions available that can be integrated with any third-party attendance gear and collect GPS-based attendance using mobile applications.
You may design customized attendance policies for time attendance systems based on your organization’s requirements. Individual settings for each attendance shift are possible, with the ability to specify attendance cycles, mark in and out regulations, leave deductions, and optional holidays.
Security
While time attendance systems are primarily concerned with the contactless recording of employees’ time in and out, they are also based on highly secure systems.
Biometric solutions, for example, are very dependable and secure against security concerns such as time theft and buddy punching. They can help cut administrative expenses associated with forgotten PINs and missing ID cards.
Thankfully, our time attendance systems feature built-in alert systems that will quickly tell us if a person is on the prohibited list.
Compliance
Inaccurate time and attendance records can cost your company a lot of money in overtime compensation. They may also breach labor regulations, resulting in costly legal defense and fines. Employers are required by law to track employee attendance and compensate employees for any extra hours worked.
This is why time and attendance systems are so important. They can be linked to your payroll system, making the process a lot simpler and more efficient.
Where Can You Purchase Contactless Time Attendance Systems in the Philippines?
Internet of Things Philippines Inc. now offers dependable and high-quality time attendance systems for your company. We are an innovative business focusing on “Internet of Things” technologies to revolutionize how we live our daily lives. Our systems assist in improving every business, government, home, and many other areas.
We provide a variety of time attendance systems with features such as biometric access control systems, facial recognition, and audio recognition. We also offer contactless fingerprint scanning and reading, access control readers, and other time attendance system accessories. Here are some of the reputable brands we carry:
Suprema
Suprema products, such as biometric access control systems, time and attendance devices, fingerprint scanners, and integrated fingerprint modules, are available at IOT Philippines Inc.
BioStarBasic, BioStar SE, and BioStar 2 SE are our time attendance software options with IP access control. They are all suitable for small- to medium-sized businesses. Aside from that, they can enable interaction with various database systems, event monitoring, time and attendance management, and reporting functions for up to 20 devices.
We also offer the FaceStation and BioStation line of biometric equipment. Their distinctive features include face recognition with a smartcard reader, fingerprint reader, WiFi, touchscreen LCD, and keypad reader. They can also process up to 5 million logs.
Suprema also provides the CoreStation 4 Door Access Control Kit, an intelligent door controller with biometric security and a centralized control system. It is designed to support enterprise-level systems with up to 500,000 user storage and outstanding fingerprint matching rates of up to 400,000 matches per second.
Finally, we have RF reader controllers accessible for businesses thay wish to implement RFID systems for time and attendance. We provide the XPass series, which comprises face detection for 40,000 to 200,000 users and logs for 50,000 to 1 million users.
IDEMIA
IOT Philippines Inc. has collaborated with IDEMIA, a pioneer in augmented identities in an increasingly digital world. We deliver enhanced and flexible devices that reinforce and ensure the security of company time and attendance systems.
We offer the following IDEMIA face recognition products, such as:
⦁ VisionPass
This is the newest technology in IDEMIA’s line of frictionless biometric access control devices. With its collection of 2D and 3D infrared cameras, it enables near-motion one-second verification across various perspectives in all lighting situations. It is also immune to all types of spoofing efforts and can deal with facial changes such as a haircut, eyeglasses, and more.
⦁ 3DFACE
The Morpho 3D Face Recognition Reader analyzes the 3D structure of the user’s face to offer quick and contactless entry to workplaces and restricted locations. It can do very precise matching in one second while maintaining high throughput even in low-light settings.
We also provide other IDEMIA fingerprint reader systems, including:
⦁ MorphoWave Compact
IDEMIA’s newest addition to their frictionless biometric access control portfolio. It is a contactless device that produces excellent results in 3D fingerprint technology in a beautiful and small wall-mounted gadget.
The user must wave their hand to confirm their identity. The unique touchless sensor technology then scans four fingers in 3D, allowing the user to continue in motion when recognized.
⦁ SigmaWriCLASS
The Morpho Sigma Fingerprint with iCLASS Reader is intended for access control as well as time and attendance applications. It implements at least 20 patents to master biometric identification and deliver additional features.
This device includes contactless technology, tablet-like user experience, and anti-fraud features, such as fake finger and face detection.
⦁ SigmaLite+iCLASS
The Morpho SigmaLite+ Fingerprint with iCLASS Reader and Pin is designed with the same care and attention to detail as its predecessor, the SigmaWriCLASS.
Its features include time in and out function keys, user ID and PIN administration, and intuitive iconography and live messaging on MA SIGMA Lite+ touchscreens.
It also has anti-fraud capabilities such as fake finger detection, duress finger, timed anti-passback, and prohibited and approved user lists.
⦁ SigmaLite Fingerprint Reader
This device has a capacity of 500 to 10,000 users and is especially intended to be used on thin mounting surfaces such as glass or aluminum door mullions, turnstiles, or server rack doors. It features a buzzer and a blue, green, or red LED indicator.
The SigmaLite Fingerprint Reader is by far the most precise Morpho fingerprint technology, with a one-second user matching time independent of the number of users in the database.
CMITech
We have partnered with CMITech to offer sophisticated iris recognition solutions that feature high ease of use, excellent image quality, and rapid capture rates.
CMITech provides two distinct time attendance systems: the EF-45N and the EF-45M.
⦁ EF-45N
Through a highly unique and intuitive user positioning strategy, this system delivers unparalleled simplicity of use. In this system, users will be able to see their own faces in order to position themselves appropriately inside the real-time graphic interface. Then, on the internal ARM mainboard, all pictures are processed, including iris encoding and matching.
In recognition mode, it has a capture range of 32 to 45 cm, a database of 10,000 subjects, and an optional hardware configuration of 50,000 subjects. It may also be used for access control, time and attendance tracking, and IT management applications in businesses.
⦁ EF-45M
The EF-45M is a modular variant of the EF-45N that is intended for specialist solution integrators who want to include high accuracy iris recognition biometrics into a kiosk or similar terminal.
The design of this system allows the integrator to show the user’s face image on the kiosk’s display screen during iris image recognition. As a result, the system only employs one display, reducing the amount of front surface space used and increasing the overall aesthetic of the kiosk.
Techsphere
Through our cooperation with Techsphere, we provide the VP-II X or the Hand Vascular Pattern Recognition System. This biometric scanner employs an infrared sensor device to authenticate individuals based on their individually unique vascular patterns, which are retrieved from the hypoderm under the skin’s surface on the back of the hand.
FaceGo
We have partnered with FaceGO to provide businesses with high-speed digital processing applications for time attendance systems, including the FACE150, FACE400, and FACE4000.
Aside from their easy installation and high-security features, their other features include time in and out function keys, color screen for face positioning, audio recognition, and more extensive measured data than fingerprint scanning.
SecureLink
We provide SecureLink products that include face recognition and access control monitoring through forehead temperature detection. This system is especially useful in various establishments, including malls, restaurants, and medical facilities.
We offer two SecureLink products, which are the SL5003-CNT and SL2801-CFT. These face recognition terminals are designed to help in the combat against COVID-19. They also have other features such as fingerprint authentication, temperature detection, multi-mode face enrollment, and a time attendance system.
Conclusion
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, where individuals must observe strict hygiene precautions and social distancing protocols, time attendance systems have substantially impacted how firms manage employees’ working hours.
If you’re searching for low-cost, high-quality attendance systems for your company, IOT Philippines Inc. has you covered. We have a wide range of time attendance options you can choose from.
Contact us today for more information!
