Marking attendance has been an impeccable part of every organisation. Whether people work from home or enter the office daily, they are advised to mark attendance. Eventually, the performance evaluation and payslip calculation depend on attendance data. Since the evolution of the business landscape, many methods have been utilised to record an employee’s login and logout time.
The way of marking attendance has changed from punch cards to fingerprints and badge swipes. And now, it is the highly anticipated technology of the decade—Face recognition attendance system.
Previously, many organisations used fingerprint scanners for attendance, and they were a huge hit worldwide. As the years went by, the top firms understood the need for a new tool that bettered the attendance management system. By quoting the word “convenience,” face recognition attendance software entered the market. The fingerprint scanners were more secure than the previous tools but not that convenient. Moreover, the recent shift in India’s workforce (hybrid/remote/in-office) necessitated something far better than the existing technology.
This is one of the reasons that nudged top companies to utilise face recognition systems swiftly. However, small and medium-sized businesses didn’t have easy access to upgrade their attendance management solution by incorporating cutting-edge technology. A few firms are still stuck with attendance devices that are a thing of the past.
Some employers wonder whether the company needs an upgrade for attendance management systems. It is essential to understand that investing in good time-tracking software is inevitable, as technology is evolving daily.
Understanding biometric devices
Both facial recognition and fingerprint-based scanners come under the category of biometric devices only. A fingerprint scanner is touch-based, while facial recognition reads the features of the face to verify the identity.
The concept of face recognition is not new, but it is considered a fresh breath of air in the industry. The employee or staff faces are all stored in the database, which can be retrieved to verify while an employee tries to register their attendance. The system denies if the employee’s input is mismatched with the available data. Other biometric devices are subservient to the face verification method.
Fingerprint vs. Facial recognition
Accuracy
At times, thumb-based attendance devices fail to verify employee clock-ins. It might not be the system’s fault, but there are situations where employees’ efforts to mark attendance go in vain. In some industries that include hard labour, workers wrap up their day and find it difficult to clock out with faded thumbprints. Moreover, henna applications and wounds on the thumbs will make it more difficult for the employees to clock in.
Staff might feel frustrated when marking attendance several times, which might lead them to think that the manual entries were far better. On the other hand, face recognition doesn’t have these issues. All an employee has to do is, smile and mark their attendance.
Reliable approach
Post covid-19, the world relies on touch-free technologies. From contactless payments to voice-enabled search, there are so many technologies embraced in people’s lifestyle every day. Contactless attendance marking systems are no exception. Face recognition is the most suitable way to mark employee login and logout.
Upfront costs
The most used fingerprint scanners are expensive. From hardware to installation charges, the upfront costs are a barrier for businesses investing in affordable time attendance systems. Face recognition attendance system like DigiSME are cost-effective; companies can use a tab or mobile device to register attendance.
Remote access
The recent hybrid work model update requires the company to transform how employees mark their attendance. Not all employees will be coming to the office daily. An organisation’s time management system should be viable to manage the attendance of remote workers, field workers and in-office staff also.
Above all, some workers will report at the client’s or distributor’s warehouse. Other traditional methods and existing fingerprint scanners do not help manage the numerous workers who are not bound to the office environment alone. The dedicated face attendance system utilises the in-built camera, and employees on the field or at the client’s place can
Face recognition attendance system – It’s quick and convenient
Facial recognition technology is superior to all the traditional methods. First off, efforts from the employees are not required at all. They can enter the office and face the camera in the tablet app at the entrance for a few seconds. The “You’ve clocked in” message will appear instantly.
The Future of Attendance Tracking
Facial recognition systems represent a significant leap forward in attendance management. Their accuracy, contactless nature, user-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and additional advantages make them an optimal option for businesses of all sizes. As technology continues to evolve, facial recognition attendance apps will be even more convenient and provide greater functionalities in the future.
Here are some potential future advancements:
Enhanced security features: Facial recognition technology is continuously evolving, with improvements in liveness detection and spoof prevention expected. This will also improve the security of facial recognition attendance systems.
Integration with AI: Integrating AI with facial recognition attendance systems could unlock new possibilities. For instance, AI could be used to identify employee emotions or exhaustion levels, potentially leading to enhanced workplace wellness endeavours.
Advanced analytics: The data accumulated by facial recognition systems can be studied to generate extensive reports on worker attendance patterns, overtime trends, and potential scheduling conflicts. This can empower companies to make data-driven decisions regarding staffing and resource allocation.
Wrapping Up
Facial recognition attendance systems offer many advantages over traditional methods. As technology constantly evolves and privacy concerns are addressed responsibly, facial recognition will become the undisputed king of attendance tracking. By embracing this innovative technology, organisations can create a more efficient, secure, and hygienic work environment for their workers, leading to a more productive and successful future.