In any organization, the ground-level employees work, the team leaders instruct, and the manager makes sure the whole office works perfectly like clockwork. One of the aspects of ensuring this is to keep your employees punctual and have accurate records of everyone’s attendance. Nobody wants to cut someone’s pay unnecessarily or enable bad behavior. Nowadays, most organizations use biometric attendance machines over traditional time clocks.
Today, we will discuss why biometric attendance systems are becoming so popular throughout industries.
How Does a Biometric Attendance Machine Work?
When running a company or any place of work, making sure that your employees are punctual is essential. Discipline is necessary to ensure the smooth functioning of the organization and that the daily tasks are completed promptly. But sometimes employees find a way to cheat the system, they may arrive late but log in at the wrong time, or they may be friends with the attendance in charge and manipulate the records. As long as there is a way to cheat the system, there are people who will do it, it’s human nature. So, it’s best to rely on an attendance system that doesn’t rely on something you can manipulate, biology.
Biometric Attendance Machine works by scanning the biomarkers of a person using various sensors. Then it analyses & compares these scans with the samples in the database. There are a couple of different types of markers/metrics these machines can use to identify a person. And each metric requires a different type of sensor. Let’s discuss the different metrics we can use to identify a person.
Facial Recognition
This is not only used in Biometric Attendance Machines but nowadays very popular in computer and smartphone locks. Facial recognition works by capturing images of the face and using image processing techniques to match facial features from the image to that of the samples in the database. The big problem with facial recognition is that it can fail to recognize your face in poor lighting conditions, extreme changes in grooming, etc. But with the advancement in technology, it is becoming more and more sophisticated with each update.
Retinal Scanning
This is by far the most secure method of scanning and identification that is available on standard biometric machines. Retinal scanners are known to give about 70 and 20,000 times better accuracy than an iris & fingerprint scan respectively. Retinal scanners work by projecting a beam of low-intensity infrared (IR) light through your cornea and onto your retina. The reflected IR beam is then captured by a sensor to create a precise image of the retina. The system uses advanced image processing techniques to identify & compare the pattern of blood vessels on the retina with those in the database.
Eye/Iris Scan
Contrary to general beliefs, there is a difference between the iris and retinal scans. An iris scanner is probably the one you have had while registering for your government ID like your license or AADHAR Card. These scanners work by using a light to illuminate your eyes and then capturing a picture of your iris. Then compare the patterns created by the muscles in the iris with the database.
Fingerprint Scan
This is the most common type of biometrics can, that is available in almost every biometric attendance machine. Fingerprint scanning is also one of the oldest methods of recognition we have developed. This technique work by analyzing the patterns of the ridges on the surface of your fingers. The machine illuminates the fingertips with a light and a camera captures a precise image of the ridges & valleys.
Take a Look at Some Good Quality Biometric Attendance Machines
There are a variety of biometric attendance machines available in the market for businesses. Some machines may provide more than one type of identification system. You can select the best employee biometric attendance system for your organization.
Benefits of a Biometric Attendance System over Traditional Time Clocks
There are numerous benefits to using a biometric attendance system over a traditional time clock attendance system. The traditional system is easy to implement as there is no need to install any components. It is also simple to use, most small businesses use manual registers to keep a record of employee ingress & egress from the office. However, the biggest problem with this system is its vulnerability to manipulation. Employees can just fill in the incorrect time on purpose. Another issue is that the records can be manipulated while they are being fed into the computer system.
The benefit of a biometric attendance system is that it is free from such issues. Biometrics like fingerprints, retinal patterns, and iris are so unique, that it’s impossible to fake them. So, an employee cannot put in a proxy attendance for someone else. In addition, these systems are also directly connected to the database. Making this system immune to tampering and manipulation.
Biometric attendance systems also automate the security of your offices by linking them to door locks. This prevents any unauthorized person from entering the premises of your organization. It also deters theft, as it logs the movement of employees in & out of the office throughout the day. In case of a theft, you will know exactly who to suspect. Lastly, by keeping an accurate record of the time each employee spent inside the office every day, this system makes it very easy to determine overtime and late comings.
Conclusion
A biometric attendance system is initially more expensive to install. However, in the long run, it will save you a lot of unnecessary costs by cutting down on stationary requirements, time consumed in manually updating the database, and improving employee productivity.
Biometric Attendance System FAQ.
Q1. What makes a biometric attendance device more reliable device than a card punch?
The biggest flaw of an RFID card for identification and attendance is that anybody can use your card for proxy attendance. However, this is not possible with a biometric attendance machine, as it’s far easier to just go to work rather than physically handing someone your fingerprints or eyes.
Q2. What is a disadvantage of biometric readers?
Biometric attendance systems are by far more advanced and overall, better than traditional systems. But that doesn’t mean that they are perfect. The biggest issue with these systems is that they are expensive to install, and their benefits take some time to cover that cost. Another issue with them is that they essentially take away a part of your privacy & personal anonymity. Lastly, these systems are not invulnerable to hacking, although this may depend more on the cyber security of your organization.
Q3. What is the price of finger print biometric?
A Biometric Attendance Machine is a piece of intricate technology, with varying features & functions. Depending on the manufacturer and the features, these machines can vastly range in price. These products can range anywhere from ₹3000 - ₹18,000.
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