Experchem replaces time sheets with two-factor biometric time and attendance system

(28/04/2009)

Experchem Laboratories Inc. is a government-accredited laboratory that specializes in pharmaceutical products and regulatory affairs. The company wanted to cut down on its time and attendance paper work as it was spending a lot of time tracking its employees' hours with a cumbersome paper-based system.

The analytical testing laboratory began looking for a way to automate the system, eliminating time sheets, speeding up the payroll process and tracking who was in the lab. Experchem found what it was looking for in Mitrefinch’s time and attendance system, which uses the Bioscrypt fingerprint verification module from the enterprise access division of L-1 Identity Solutions. The two-factor biometric time and attendance system was the best way for the company to accurately and efficiently track the comings and goings of employees.

Experchem employees traded in time sheets for a fob or proximity card supplied by Mitrefinch that calls up their fingerprint biometric. Depending on which form-factor they prefer, employees can either use a proximity card which can fit in their wallet or on a lanyard, or a fob which can go on their key chain. When they arrive at work, they wave the fob or proximity card in front of the reader and then place their fingerprint on the reader, which verifies that fingerprint against the template stored on the fob and can make a match in under a second. Employees are authenticated and their time and attendance information is automatically collected, eliminating the need for time sheets.

“We wanted something that would keep track of people’s hours for payroll purposes and also keep track of who’s on site at any given time,” says Mike Wiffen, information technology coordinator at Experchem.

The biometrically-enabled time and attendance system had an immediate ROI. By using L-1 fingerprint readers, Experchem was able to reduce time consuming paperwork for both workers and the payroll department, which increased productivity and decreased cost. “We were immediately able to see the benefits of incorporating L-1 fingerprint readers into our new time and attendance system,” Wiffen said. “Workers are no longer avoiding or bogged down filling out timesheets and the payroll department no longer has to spend hours processing them.

This leaves everyone free to concentrate their efforts on more valuable tasks and projects.” Experchem’s payroll information, which had to be entered manually, is now collected automatically, making it possible to process the payroll much more quickly. This gives employees more time to concentrate on other efforts.

And because employees authenticate themselves using fingerprints and a fob that’s small enough to carry on a key chain, their time and attendance records are always up to date. “It’s easy to forget a card. It’s hard to forget your fingerprint,” Wiffen says. The system also prevents any future buddy punching — the practice of one employee punching in or swiping a time card for another. “We know the system is accurate because it’s not possible for one employee to punch in for another.”

Experchem’s employees are also happy with the automated solution. “A lot of people liked having the system in because they don’t have to write down their overtime hours,” Wiffen says.

Related topics:  Fingerprint biometrics   Smart card 

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