Interest in biometric time tracking with facial recognition up as people return to work

WorkMax sees facial biometrics for time and attendance tracking as a way for organizations around the world to improve cost efficiency as employees return to work, and Timecentric has added the biometric capabilities of a time and attendance competitor by acquiring it. Meanwhile an Indian government defense agency has developed its own facial recognition system for contactless workforce control, and Lathem has announced a major boost in demand for its face scanning-based products.

Biometrics could help contractors reduce overpay

Time tracking applications equipped with biometric facial recognition can help the construction industry solve labor shortage challenges, improve productivity, free up resources and reduce cost, writes Mike Merrill, co-founder and COO of WorkMax, in a guest post with For Construction Pros.

Biometric facial recognition can solve time tracking problems related to unreliable information, supervisor oversight and deficient project forecasts. Contractors pay for 4.5 hours beyond those worked by each employee, on average, due to inaccurate information, Merrill writes, citing a survey by Robert Half.

A time tracking app with face recognition captures data in real-time and compares it to the profile picture already available in the system. Any accuracy or identity errors are reported to a supervisor, who handles each notification separately. Internet connection is not mandatory, so a lack of connection would not affect the time tracking app or the facial recognition function, which can synchronize with the database as soon as it has internet access. The time tracking app would have GPS and geo-fence tracking and management, and be user-friendly, according to Merrill.

Timecentric buys TimeRack time and labor management software developer

HR investment group Timecentric has purchased California-based Time Rack, a company that develops time and labor management software. Time Rack is the company’s first acquisition. The software platform helps companies monitor and keep track of the number of hours worked.

Data collection options with Time Rack’s TR 365 flagship offering include web, biometrics, badge, proximity and geolocation for secure data management. Human resources departments can centralize processes ranging from onboarding, certification management, expense management, position management, benefit management, secure document management and much more. Due to an open API framework, it can be easily integrated with payroll systems.

Indian government agency develops facial biometrics system to track attendance

The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in India is working on an AI-based facial recognition system to track employee attendance amid the COVID-19 health crisis, to prevent reliance on paper sheets or biometric machines that require physical contact, writes The Tribune India.

The system is allegedly developed by the DRDO’s Defense Bio-engineering and Electro-medical Laboratory, and, if proven successful, will be implemented across other labs. It would leverage a database of employee photos taken from multiple angles and personal details. The employee’s or visitor’s face would be captured with a camera when walking in or out of the office and be marked with a timestamp to keep a record.

Indian Military Intelligence is working on an automated biometric facial recognition to identify enemies from photographs or real-time videos. Last year, the Border Security Force started installing an access control system with facial recognition at the border with Pakistan. The Ministry of Home Affairs also developed a biometric system to track criminals, linked to the national database.

Biometric facial recognition clock sales increase amid COVID-19

Lathem has registered a major sales increase of its biometric facial recognition clock for employee tracking since the COVID-19 pandemic started, selling five times as many compared to its fingerprint clocks, the company announced.

An alternative to conventional fingerprint, iris scan and hand reader time clocks, FaceIN uses facial recognition to register employees’ faces, identify 64 unique points which it stores in the system instead of a photo. It confirms employee identity and keeps track of time punches.

“FaceIN face recognition provides a hygienic, touchless solution for employee time and attendance, a crucial aspect of keeping employees safe and businesses running,” said Lance Whipple, vice president, Sales & Marketing, Lathem, in a prepared statement. “As businesses reopen, they are looking for ways to protect the health and safety of their workers, and FaceIn allows them to do that.”

One customer is quoted as saying the technology has reduced processing time for company payroll from multiple hours to thirty minutes. Another company recently purchased 40 FaceIN clocks for all five locations in Alaska, which have between 200 and 300 employees each, according to the announcement.

Article Topics

biometric identification  |  biometrics  |  construction  |  facial recognition  |  time and attendance