Biometric Attendance System
Biometric attendance system is designed to capture the attendance data of employees or workers. The word ‘system’ denotes a complete attendance management including capturing the fingerprints through a biometric machine and streamlining the data with an online attendance management software. The system may have different attributes not limited to just collection of data. It involves complete data management which will be helpful for the management to take some data-driven decisions.
Various components of biometric attendance system
Biometric attendance machine
A typical biometric attendance machine will have a fingerprint scanner and a screen interface to show the attendance data. The first step in overall biometric attendance management is the enrollment of fingerprints of persons whose attendance data is to be gathered. A person needs to punch his fingerprints over the scanner. The machine captures a special feature associated with fingerprints called as minutiae. These are nothing but the spots where lines are split into two parts.
A computer system will measure the angles between these parts and with the help of an algorithm, convert this information into special unique codes. These codes will be used to compare the data of the fingerprints in order to correctly detect a punch.
Fingerprint Scanner
Types of Fingerprint scanners in biometric attendance system
Optical scanner
In an optical scanner system, a computer will take a digital photograph of the fingerprint. A scanner typically uses a light-sensitive microchip to generate a complete digital image. In general, a charged coupled device is used to produce the digital image. The system uses a pattern matching software to convert these images into a code. This code is then used to match and rematch the fingerprints.
Capacitive scanner
A capacitive scanner works in a slightly different way. When a person puts his fingerprint on the scanner surface, the ridges on a finger gets pressed on the surface more prominently compared to empty areas. There will be a certain distance between these ridges. A capacitive scanner detects these gaps and converts them into a unique code. Again, this code is used to match the fingerprints.
Wi-Fi connectivity
A biometric attendance machine may have a wireless integration to push data to a centralized server. An inbuilt wi-fi system allows a hassle-free configuration of a data to a server. A wireless integration avoids the need of any physical medium thus saving the typical problems associated with it. Wi-Fi system helps to maintain the momentum required to maintain the free flow of information. Thus wi-fi integration becomes an important component of biometric attendance system.
Attendance management dashboards
Once the data is pushed on to the server, then comes the role attendance management interface. There are different kinds of attendance management dashboards provided by several companies. It may vary from simple attendance data spreadsheets to more complex data management solutions which will be going to help in decision making.
In and Out status in attendance management system
This is the most basic and most important feature associated with biometric attendance management system. The data for in and out status helps to quantify the timings as when the employee reaches and leaves the office. This data can be valuable in the sense that it will help at the end to quantify the number of hours spent by each employee at the workplace.
Online Portal to manage attendance activity
Online portal for attendance management helps to access the data from any part of the world. It is far better than the offline software whose data is limitedly available to a particular department only. On the other hand, if the biometric system comes with an online portal, then decision makers can access the data from any location can take better decisions in quick possible time.
App connectivity in biometric attendance system
App connectivity has become an important function associated with biometric time and attendance system. The biometric app helps to check the data with user-friendly interface and can really help in exactly knowing the present attendance status of the employees. This app also helps to track the location of particular employees.
Employee Tracking with GPS system
Some systems will come with employee tracking software. This function is particularly important for the organizations which need to send its marketing resources at various places. The functionality helps to track the location of employees in real time. Thus an organization will be able to track time and location.
Monthly Report Interface.
Human resource officials at an organization need a complete attendance system which will help them in effective payroll management. Therefore, monthly report interface with structured data analysis helps them to take better and quicker decisions. The final report interface may include a number of hours spent by each employee and other complex data in portrayed in a simplified manner. The monthly report interface helps in the complete visualization of the data in tabloid form and thus helps to create more clear picture of the data.
SMS notifications interface for biometric attendance system
Some organizations will need this kind of functionality. Especially educational institutions and universities will need to send periodic short messages to various students. Thus SMS interface simplifies procedures and maintains the communication between organizations and the employees. It becomes a must-have functionality in biometric attendance system.
Thus, a complete attendance system will have several features that will give a complete overlook of attendance management going from enrollment to final reports. An attendance machine with wi-fi interface will be handier than a traditional solution.
