Minimising the Festive Frenzy with a Time Management System (Part 2)

In the second instalment of our three-part series looking at how a Time Management System can help ease your festive stress, we reveal how you can effectively manage public holidays and holiday pay rates.

In Australia, each State and Territory has slightly different arrangements for public holidays over Christmas and New Year, which can result in much confusion, particularly for companies with numerous sites across the nation. As a result, Fair Work Australia (FWA) have put together a list of the public holidays for each specific State and Territory for the 2011/12 holiday Christmas period – view list here.

So now you know the public holiday dates what pay are your staff entitled to?

According to FWA, if a full-time or part-time employee’s ordinary hours of work fall on a public holiday, and the employee does not work on the day, the employee is entitled to their base rate of pay for their usual hours of work on the day.

If the employee does not usually work on the public holiday, the employee is not entitled to payment.

If the request is reasonable, an employer may ask their employees to work on a public holiday. If the employee is required to work on a public holiday, their entitlement to penalty rates is determined by their modern award, industrial agreement or contract of employment.

In addition to the specified national public holidays, State and Territory governments can also specify other public holidays. These can apply throughout the State or Territory, or only in a specific region e.g. Melbourne Cup Day.

A State or Territory government can also substitute another day for the public holiday. For example if a public holiday falls on a weekend, a State or Territory government may either declare a ‘substitute day’ for the public holiday, or declare an ‘additional day’ to the public holiday.

Regardless of the State or Territory you operate in, Mitrefinch's Time Management System (TMS) takes the stress out of employee allowances and entitlement calculations via an in-built, fully customisable Award Interpreter. 

Easily calculate base and overtime pay, weekend and public holiday penalties, as well as leave loading and shift penalties, ensuring consistent application of your business rules. A direct interface to your external payroll application further reduces payroll administration and the potential for costly payroll errors.

For more information contact Mitrefinch Sales on 1300 884 831 (+61 2 8762 7888) or visit Mitrefinch Online

Sources: Fair Work Australia

Biometrics for Healthcare - Leading Technology captures Fingerprints through Gloves

In a recent article on Nextgov, Katherine McIntire Peters noted research firm Gartner’s report on 2011 Cool Vendors in IAM (Identity and Access Management). As part of the report, Gartner analysts flagged a handful of companies developing innovative identity management technologies.

Lumidigm Biometric Technology can capture fingerprint images through gloves

"These up-and-coming technology providers offer [identity and access management] products and services based on a broad range of technological approaches and delivery models. One trend clearly identifiable throughout their offerings is a serious attempt to deliver IAM components that enhance the user experience to support mission-critical business decisions," analysts wrote in an introduction to the firm's 2011 Cool Vendors in IAM. 

Mitrefinch’s biometric technology partner, Lumidigm, was listed as one of the most interesting companies having developed a new kind of fingerprint sensor that employs multispectral imaging. According to Lumidigm, unlike other common biometric sensors, performance isn't affected by moisture, dry or dirty skin, or bright ambient light. Multispectral imaging captures surface and subsurface ridge patterns, and analyses the spectroscopic characteristics of the surface, thereby making it less vulnerable to spoof fingerprints.

The report also mentions that, “a client told Gartner that one particular advantage of the Lumidigm technology is its ability to capture a fingerprint image through a medical glove. Ultrasound sensors can also do this, but they are far bulkier and more expensive, which should make Lumidigm sensors appealing to healthcare delivery organisations”. 

Other organisations in the market for fingerprint biometric devices can also benefit from Lumidigm's superior performance. Take for example; Meat Processors who operate in cold, refrigerated areas, or Construction workers with cuts and calluses on their hands, as well as dirt and dust.

In Australia, Mitrefinch is the only Time and Attendance system provider to integrate Lumidigm’s powerful multispectral imaging sensors into all their Biometric Time and Attendance units – from wall mounted clocking terminals to desktop USB devices.

For more information or to see the Lumidigm sensors is action contact Mitrefinch on +61 2 8762 7888 or sales@mitrefinch.com.au

Half of Australian workers admit to fleecing their employers with Buddy Punching and Time Theft

Australians are the third most likely worldwide to try to fleece their employer by being a little less than honest when it comes to clocking on and off work, according to a new survey by Kronos APAC.

An article in last week’s Herald Sun, stated that 51 per cent of surveyed workers admitted to some degree of Time Theft, with NSW leading the way on 45 per cent - which amounts to alot of lost productivity and revenue!

The survey also found Australia's most dishonest employees were 18 to 24-year-old men earning a middle income.

Top tricks used include; clocking in earlier or out later than scheduled and neglecting to clock off for lunch or breaks.

Ask yourself, if any of the following statements sound familiar? Perhaps you have used them in the past, or maybe your employees are using them now...

“I knew I’d be late this morning, so I gave my mate on the same shift my proximity fob and ID pin and he clocked me in”

“I need to make up my 38 hours this week. If I shorten my actual lunches on my Time Sheet no one will ever know.”

“I needed to take a 20 minute break to make a phone call, but I just didn’t bother clocking out and in again.”

So how might you reduce the potential for Buddy Punching, Time Theft or Time Sheet padding within your business?

While an employee time and attendance system certainly is a step in the right direction, you need to ensure you have the right system in place to match your organisational set up.

For example:

• Will the time and attendance system prevent employees from clocking in or out for one another?
• If it is a mobile time and attendance solution, does it use GPS functionality to ensure that the employee is clocking in from the appropriate location?
• Are time sheets linked to a clocking system allowing you to see that the employee clocked in/out at a specific time and they are not fudging their times?
• If you are using a biometric time and attendance system, has it been proven to reject “spoof” fingerprints?

For more information on employee time clocks to accurately monitor employee time and attendance, visit www.mitrefinch.com.au or contact us directly at sales@mitrefinch.com.au

Building a Better Payroll at the TAPS Annual Workplace Review

Mitrefinch Australia were pleased to be involved with the recent Sydney Payroll Expo, as part of The Association of Payroll Specialists’ (TAPS) Annual Workplace Review Event, which took place at the Sydney Showgrounds last Thursday and Friday (October 20-21).

This year’s Workplace Review, Australia’s biggest and longest running payroll conference, had a “Building a Better Payroll” focus and was opened by Keynote Speaker, James Valentine, who provided an entertaining, yet thought-provoking session, on “Change is the only Constant”. The educational seminars that followed provided attendees with detailed information on topical issues such as; Paid Parental Leave, NES Leave, Superannuation, Terminations, Long Service Leave, and Preparing for an Audit.

Building a Better Payroll - TAPS Annual Workplace Review

Completing the day's festivities, the infamous TAPS Theme Dinner, complete with some interesting entertainment and costumes on show, provided attendees with an opportunity to network with other payroll professionals and unwind after a long day in the classroom.

Day two of the conference was split into different educational streams: Payroll Essentials and Advanced Payroll, ensuring that all attendees’ information needs were met. New Horizons Learning Centres provided an Excel Masterclass, while other sessions addressed Unfair Dismissal, Balancing your Payroll, Expats, Fringe Benefits, and a fascinating session on Payroll Fraud (we were assured that attendees were shown how to effectively manage the risks associated with payroll fraud and not how to get away with doing it!)

The Payroll Expo, which ran in conjunction with the Conference, provided attendees with an opportunity to learn more about the very latest payroll and HR technologies, and the tools available to help them become more efficient, accessible and cost effective.

As such, Mitrefinch were pleased to showcase their biometric employee time and attendance management solutions, as well as iPhone and mobile applications for effective employee time management and job costing for remote staff.

In addition, Mitrefinch Consultants were on hand to demonstrate how their mitrefinch employee management solutions have enabled some of Australia’s leading organisations to reduce payroll costs and associated administration, improve payroll accuracy, and achieve superior planning and control of employee schedules and jobs.

The Mitrefinch team now look forward to featuring at the TAPS Melbourne Workplace Review which will take place at Hilton on the Park on October 27-28th. To register for the event contact TAPS on 1300 711 240 or visit www.workplacereview.com.au

Alternatively the Payroll Expo is free to attend on the Thursday afternoon, so feel free to drop by and visit us at Stand 8 (we'll have some more of the popular Mitrefinch Jelly Beans to give away!).

Mitrefinch to feature Time Tracking Solutions at The Association of Payroll Specialists’ Payroll Expo in Sydney and Melbourne

Mitrefinch to feature Time and Attendance Solutions as part of TAPS Payroll Expo

Once again Mitrefinch are pleased to be associated with The Association of Payroll Specialists’ (TAPS) and their Annual Workplace Review Conference and Payroll Expo.

As Australia’s longest running payroll related event, last year’s conference attracted over 250 delegates, and due to increasing demand from members, TAPS have decided to bring the event to Melbourne, in addition to Sydney this time around. 

With a “Building a Better Payroll” theme, the conference boasts an impressive educational line-up with a strong emphasis on recent changes to legislation, as well as educational sessions related to; Fringe Benefits, Leave, Superannuation, Terminations, Expats, and an Excel Masterclass. 

Following on last year’s success the “Payroll Expo” will also make a welcome return, providing attendees with an opportunity to learn about the latest payroll technology and tools to implement best practices, operational efficiencies and cost savings. 

“Mitrefinch are delighted to be associated with TAPS and the Payroll Expo again this year, and we are especially looking forward to exhibiting at our first Melbourne event”, said Jamie Fitzsimons, Mitrefinch AsiaPac Marketing Manager. “We will be on hand to demonstrate our range of mitrefinch biometric time and attendance solutions, as well as our new mobile applications for effective job costing and time management of remote staff.” 

The Sydney event takes place on October 20/21 at the Southee Complex, Sydney Showgrounds and at Hilton on the Park in Melbourne on October 27/28. You can catch Mitrefinch and their innovative mitrefinch time tracking solutions at Booth 14 (Sydney) and Booth 8 (Melbourne). 

For more information contact Mitrefinch direct on 1300 884 831 or visit the TAPS Workplace Review website

Despite increasing adoption Biometric misconceptions still rife

A recent feature on AM, ABC Radio's flagship current affairs program, regarding a Melbourne Local Council’s plans to track employees' work hours with biometric technology garnered some interesting debate surrounding data privacy and security.

AM revealed that the City of Monash in Melbourne's south-east is considering vein scanning technology to capture time and attendance information for up to 100 library staff, including casuals.

The technology will capture the vein patterns in a person's fingers and store them as a template for future scans.

But while biometric technology like iris, fingerprint and vein scanning was once reserved for Hollywood and the stuff of sci-fi movies, isn’t it becoming more commonplace now?

With Public Sector agencies and corporate organisations around the country, such as Woolworths, already using biometric technology to check and verify the identities of their staff and record work hours. Even patrons at popular theme parks and venues, such as the Coogee Bay Hotel, are now required to present their fingers! (Read More: "You want a drink? Give us your fingerprints”)

So what’s the problem?

Judging by the feedback from the AM talk back show and the subsequent comments voiced by readers on ABC News, the vast majority are worried about privacy issues.

"They're concerned about where this information is going to be stored, what will happen with the information when they leave council, who owns the information, what's the legal ramifications," said Igor Grattan, Australian Services Union assistant branch secretary.

Indeed, this is an all to common reaction we, as Biometric Time and Attendance providers, come across when speaking to prospective clients and unions alike.

As Phil Scarfo, Senior VP of Sales and Marketing at Lumidigm Inc. explains, “Though most biometrics systems rely solely on templates, or mathematical representations of the physical characteristic, the general public is not aware of this fact. It is the misperception that people are storing fingerprint images in databases that creates concerns related to privacy.” (Read More: What’s behind the biometric template?)

As such, our presales process involves educating users and management that the multi-spectral biometric technology we utilise doesn't actually collect and store fingerprints.

Instead, when an employee enrols via our biometric clocking terminal, the system saves a mathematical representations of the fingerprint and reproduces this as a template. The template is then checked against those stored by the reader, for a possible match. If one is found, the employee’s registration is accepted - otherwise it is rejected.

Contrary to popular belief, this biometric template cannot be reconstructed back to the original fingerprint image.

If you would like to read more about common biometric misconceptions check out: “Dispelling the Myths About Biometrics: Misguided beliefs about biometrics should be investigated for proper understanding of the technology")

Isn’t it time you considered biometrics?

Biometrics can significantly improve the ROI associated with implementing an automated Time and Attendance solution. By utilising this technology oganisations can:

• Enhance site security – as no one without the proper identity is admitted, misplaced cards and staff borrowing “swipes” to gain access to controlled areas is no longer an issue
• Reduce time and attendance fraud – cut out ‘buddy clocking’ practices, where one employee clocks on for another
• Eliminate costs associated with physical ID card production and proximity fobs
• Facilitate accurate reporting – in the unfortunate event of an emergency supervisors have an up-to-the-minute view of exactly who is onsite/where they are located

Visit our website today for more information on our Biometric Time and Attendance systems.

Or feel free to join in the conversation on our Facebook page and Twitter.

How to persuade employees that a Time and Attendance system isn’t workplace Big Brother?

Introducing an automated Time and Attendance software system undoubtedly brings many benefits to your business; from payroll savings, improved productivity, greater management visibility, reduced absenteeism, and improvements to health and safety. However, while these benefits may be obvious to you and senior management, they are often less so to those working on the coal face.

For this reason, the implementation of an automated Time and Attendance system can prove to be a difficult task. And by implementation I don’t mean the physical installation process! I mean convincing your employees and colleagues that such a system can help them too.

At first, your employees may feel that you are trying to create a “Big Brother” type organisation - which is understandable when a Time and Attendance system can provide management with a clear record of lateness, length of lunchbreaks, as well as holidays and sick leave, and even productivity.

Even if you aren’t the person who initiated the project, as a Human Resources manager, your job would involve ‘selling’ the idea of an automated Time and Attendance system to your employees – lucky you!

So what can you do to achieve staff buy in?

1. Be a Time and Attendance Champion
First things first, you need to be a clear supporter of the idea in order to overcome potential employee obstacles, and have the confidence to answer difficult questions or arguments that may arise - getting rid of any doubts raised by your staff.

2. Be prepared for some resistance
Your Time and Attendance system provider will be able to assist and prepare you for potential objections you may encounter. You should also know that the employees who resist technology are likely to be the least productive workers!

3. Keep Staff Informed
Effective communication is key. Share information about the new Time and Attendance system with employees and their representatives/union officials as soon as possible. Explain exactly how the change will impact them i.e.: will they need to use swipe cards, proximity fobs, or biometric scanners to register attendance.

4. Communication must be two way
Don’t just provide information to the employees, also give them an opportunity to express their concerns and ask questions. For example, with biometric Time and Attendance, employees might be concerned about the prospect of their fingerprint information being stored. You will need to assure them that this isn’t the case.

Your Time and Attendance provider will have basic information (without getting too technical) on how their biometric systems work, which you can use to reassure employees that their personal data will not be compromised.

5. Explain employee benefits
You need to make sure your employees understand how they will benefit from using a Time and Attendance system. Once they are convinced that more accurate data tracking will improve the accuracy of their wages and provide them with early notice of schedule changes that impact their working hours, they are more likely to buy-into the change.

The ability to request holidays without having to ask their managers directly and amend their personal details, such as address, telephone number etc without contacting HR will also be welcomed.

While, instant access to their absence profile or annual leave balance would enable them to manage their time more effectively. With a Time and Attendance system the staff who consistently outperform are the ones who will shine which could encourage you to implement performance-related incentive schemes.

6. Get Supervisors on side
Involving supervisors and line managers in the change process, reduces the risk of them potentially sabotaging the system further down the track. When supervisors realise the importance of having accurate attendance data and that the system will help them minimise the time spent on tedious administration tasks, they will be more likely to embrace the idea and become Time and Attendance champions too!

7. Training
Sufficient training time to understand the system would also be a valuable step towards better system implementation.

8. Keep an eye on proceedings
Your job doesn’t end once the system is up and running - you will need to continue to monitor the process well beyond implementation to ensure that you achieve the desired outcomes.

An automated Time and Attendance system may well create a barrier to entry, but with your carefully planned awareness campaign and training it will be well worth the invested money!

For more information on Choosing an effective Time and Attendance System download our FREE Guide.

Alternatively contact Mitrefinch today on 1300 884 831 (Aus) or 09 363 9557 (NZ) for more information on implementing an automated Time and Attendance system for your organisation.

Are your current HR Software Systems working as hard as you do?

A recent survey conducted by People Management magazine in the UK revealed that many HR professionals are frustrated with their current HR software systems and say they do not help them meet strategic goals.

Only 39 per cent of the survey’s respondents agreed that their HR software systems had all the functionality they require. While 54 per cent were satisfied with the way their systems help them with payroll and administration, this dropped to just 18 per cent for more strategic functions such as talent management.

Most HR professionals were not willing to admit that their own lack of strategic thinking might play a part in their frustrations, with only 18 per cent revealing that their department lacked a clearly defined strategy for supporting the needs of the business. More stressed that a lack of knowledge of the software available might be letting them down, while 46 per cent felt they had a good understanding of the range of HR software tools available on the market.

James Brockett from People Management believes that most HR professionals want to think and act strategically to support their business, and the survey shows that while software can help them achieve that, it can also be a source of frustration if the wrong tools are selected.

He also believes that, “While administration functions are currently being reasonably well-served by software, the findings highlight the need for HR decision-makers to consider their other needs and to make sure they do thorough research when making decisions about new HR software.”

So when should you start looking for new software?

When evaluating your current Employee Management System you need to ask yourself several important questions:

- Is it difficult to get meaningful information from your system?
- Does the system lack integration with your other business systems?
- Do you have to enter the same data more than once across multiple systems?
- Does your system limit the number of users, entries etc?
- Are you still relying on spreadsheets to prepare payroll and create management reports?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions maybe it's time you started looking for an Employee Management system that will meet and exceed these expectations!

Don’t waste anymore time!

Download our FREE Guide on Choosing an effective Time and Attendance System!

Alternatively, give us a call today 1300 884 831 or visit us online www.mitrefinch.com.au to learn more about our award-winning Employee Management Solutions, including Time and Attendance, HR Management, Job Costing and Time Allocation, Employee Scheduling and Employee Self Service.

Ineffective Time and Attendance Management costs Levi Strauss $1million

Levi Strauss & Co has agreed to pay more than $1 million to about 600 employees after the U.S. Department of Labor found that the jeans maker failed to record all the hours employees worked in its payroll system.

An investigation by the labor department's San Francisco district office found that the company misclassified several groups of workers as been exempt from overtime, over a two-year period.

Levi Strauss has agreed to pay the overtime wages due to all its affected employees nationwide, and upgrade its time and attendance system.

Read full article here: http://us.mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE72S6Y020110329?ca=rdt

How to learn from Levi Strauss & Co’s mistake...

One of the primary reasons why companies invest in a Time and Attendance Solution is to automate the capture and management of all employees’ clocking in and out times. This automatic capture ensures that organisation can comply with all federal and state workplace legislation, such as employee entitlements and modern awards, without having to manage mountains of administrative paperwork.

A customised scheduling function also allows businesses to separate work groups that are on different pay scales. Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly schedules can also be based on pre-defined budgets to keep payroll costs as low as possible.

Download our Free Guide on "How to Choose the right Time and Attendance System for your Business".

Alternatively, to find out more about Mitrefinch’s Time and Attendance Solutions, please visit www.mitrefinch.com.au or call 1300 884 831 today.

Eliminate Time Theft in your business with a Biometric Time and Attendance Solution

Keeping track of staff worked hours can be a tedious task for any business. Add to the fact that left unsupervised, some staff may be ‘buddy punching’ or clocking in for their colleagues, adding thousands of unearned dollars to your payroll costs each year.

Fortunately, there is an answer to all of your problems!

While your staff may have found a way to cheat your current time management system, switching to a biometric time and attendance solution can eliminate buddy punching and time theft within your organisation once and for all.

Biometric Time Clocks guarantee that your employees must be present to clock in/out of work. With the touch of a finger, they can quickly log and verify their attendance, instantly improving the accuracy of your attendance records.

By eliminating ‘buddy punching’, you will notice a signification reduction in payroll and overhead costs and a subsequent increase in employee productivity. In addition, Biometric Time Clocks can bring extra security to your business by ensuring that imposters cannot force their way onsite.

Utilising the very latest biometric technology, Mitrefinch’s Biometric Time Clocks use multispectral imaging to capture accurate and high-quality images by exposing the fingerprint surface and subsurface at the same time.

This pioneering technology ensures that Mitrefinch’s Biometric Time Clocks can capture and enrol employees even when skin surface features are absent or hard to distinguish due to age, dirt, finger pressure, and skin or environmental conditions.

The unique ability to provide universal fingerprint capture eliminates costly administrative problems and security risks that occur when employees can’t register on conventional fingerprint devices.

Think you may have a problem with ‘buddy punching’ in your business? What are you waiting for?

Contact Mitrefinch today for a free consultation and find out how our clients are already reaping the benefits of a Biometric Time and Attendance System.

Call 1300 844 831 or visit http://www.mitrefinch.com.au/

South Australian Company forced to back pay almost $150,000 in penalty rates

A South Australian transport company has been forced to back pay almost $150,000 in penalty rates to 26 workers, it was reported today.

A random audit as part of the Fair Work Ombudsman's National Road Transport Industry Campaign found that the organisation had failed to pay some staff, mostly casual drivers and yard hands, penalty rates for weekend and public holiday work between March 2006 and January 2009.

The Fair Work Ombudsman said in a statement that it accepted the problem was due to ignorance rather than a deliberate failure to comply with the legislation.

The company has until late this year to make the back payments and write to affected current and former staff apologising for the error.

Ensuring that you are compliant with industrial awards and minimum terms and conditions can represent a major headache for many organisations.

Mitrefinch's Employee Time Management System (TMS) takes the stress out of employee allowances and entitlement calculations via an in-built, fully customisable Award Interpreter.

Easily calculate base and overtime pay, weekend and public holiday penalties, as well as leave loading and shift penalties, ensuring consistent application of your business rules. A direct interface to your external payroll application further reduces payroll administration and the potential for costly payroll errors.

If you would like discover how your organisation can benefit from more efficient Award Intrepretation and effective Employee Time Management contact Mitrefinch today on 1300 884 931 or email sales@mitrefinch.com.au

Read the full story on ninemsn

How does your Fatigue Management processes stack up? Running the risk of a costly court case?

A recent court ruling saw VicRoads win the largest Chain of Responsibility fatigue case to date with a trucking company from Gippsland fined $95,000.

As reported in the latest edition of the Logistics Magazine, VicRoads spent six months investigating this case and found that the company was allowing its drivers to exceed safe working hours and possessed false driving records.

Don Hogben, Director for Vehicle Management and Safety, said that “the outcome of this investigation sends a clear message that if heavy vehicle operators do not comply with the Heavy Vehicle Driver Fatigue laws, they will be caught and prosecuted.”

The Australian Transport Council reports that, "Australia has the highest proportion of single heavy vehicle fatal crashes compared with five other OECD nations". The majority of these incidents are likely to be associated with fatigue.

While VicRoads advises that driving while tired amounts to around 20% of all road deaths, making it one of the biggest killers on Australian roads and as dangerous as drink driving.

In an effort to combat this trend, the Heavy Vehicle Driver Fatigue reform was introduced back in September 2008, and aims to ensure heavy vehicle drivers are not behind the wheel for long stretches and are getting adequate rest between shifts.

This legislation now holds all parties within the ‘Chain of Responsibility’ liable for any breaches of the legislation.

Workplace fatigue is not isolated to the transport and logistics industry. At Mitrefinch we understand that not matter what sector you operate in fatigue can significantly affect a worker’s ability to operate effectively, with side effects including reduced performance and productivity, and greater potential for workplace accidents.

For the past 30 years our Time and Attendance system has been assisting organisations with effective fatigue management, enabling them to proactively monitor staff work and break hours.

Mitrefinch Time and Attendance enables employees to clock in/out or on/off jobs via wall mounted devices at the depot, head office or manufacturing plant, or via the Internet and mobile or wireless devices for remote staff. This attendance data is recorded and Supervisors and HR are sent an alert when an employee is approaching their work hour limit, enabling them to adjust rosters and shifts accordingly.

The Mitrefinch system supports current workplace legislation and modern awards, as well as any organisation-specific work rules, and can easily accommodate any new legislative changes. This ensures that your staff are only permitted to work if they satisfy all the associated rules, providing you with ‘peace of mind’ that they are alert to perform their duties in a safe manner.

In addition, by automating annual reporting and maintaining a complete audit trail, Mitrefinch Time and Attendance arms you with all the information needed in the unfortunate event of legal action.

Ask yourself, how does your fatigue management plan stack up? If you haven't got the processes in place maybe it's time you took a look at a system that will help safeguard your business.

Contact Mitrefinch on 1300 884 831 or sales@mitrefinch.com.au to find out more.

Gummi Bear Proof Biometric Time and Attendance Systems

A recent article on ZDnet.com.au (Sweet bypass for student finger scanner) suggests that students at a NSW high school may be able to cheat the school’s new biometric attendance system using lunch box lollies.

Henry Kendall High School, on the NSW Central Coast, recently made the decision to replace the school's manual sign-in system with biometric fingerprint scanners to accurately record senior student attendance.

School Principal, Bob Cox, told the ABC that the biometric system was preferred over swipe cards, which students can abuse by signing-in for each other.

But biometric systems are not without their own flaws, and as Darren Pauli from ZDnet advises “a litany of fingerprint scanners have fallen victim to bypass methods, many of which are explained publicly in detail on the internet”. He adds that, “the hacks could potentially be used by students to make replicas of their own fingerprints, or lift those of others from imprints left on the reader".

To add further fuel to the fire, Pauli refers to Tsutomu Matsumoto, a Japanese cryptographer who, “used gelatine, the ingredient in Gummi Bears, to forge a replica finger that fooled 11 fingerprint scanners during tests in 2002. Gelatine has virtually the same capacitance as a finger's skin, meaning it can fool scanners designed to detect electrical charges within the human body”.

However, while it has been proven that conventional biometric readers can be circumvented, there have been some serious advancements in biometric technology since Matsumoto’s 2002 tests.

Multi-spectral imaging sets the new benchmark in Biometrics. Pioneered by Lumidigm, multi-spectral imaging technology was developed to overcome the fingerprint capture problems conventional imaging systems have in less-than-ideal conditions.

By measuring fingerprint characteristics that are at and beneath the surface of the skin, this enhanced data capture mitigates traditional system vulnerabilities and flaws, eliminating common real world performance problems that occur when users can’t enrol on standard fingerprint devices, which often leads to user frustration, an increase in system costs, lower productivity and can breed resistance to universal biometric technology adoption.

Mitrefinch Australia have recently partnered with Lumidigm, and are now integrating their superior imaging technology into all their biometric time and attendance systems.

"The integration of Lumidigm technology greatly enhances the overall application of Mitrefinch's biometric time and attendance solutions", said Allan Murdoch, Mitrefinch Australia Business Development Director. “The robustness of the Lumidigm sensor allows our customers to have a biometric solution in environments where standard fingerprint readers were not previously feasible.”

Commenting on the partnership, Lumidigm’s Director of Business Development, Seth Miller, said, “Mitrefinch was quick to understand the value of Lumidigm technology and incorporate it into their advanced customer solutions. Time and attendance is an important market for Lumidigm and Mitrefinch is an excellent partner in that space”.

For more information on this new wave of biometric time and attendance technology contact Mitrefinch Australia on 1300 884 831 or visit www.mitrefinch.com.au

CTA evaluate Biometric Time and Attendance following an incident with an imposter

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) are currently evaluating long-term security solutions, which include implementing a biometric time and attendance system, following an incident at one of their garages on the Chicago South Side last week.

According to a release from the CTA, an impersonator wearing what appeared to be a CTA uniform, drove the bus out of the 103rd Street garage and was seen later that night by another employee. The bus he was driving struck another bus, and when the employee alerted a supervisor, the man fled.

The man is believed to be an acquaintance of a CTA bus driver and is suspected of stealing a uniform shirt from that employee. Security camera footage from the bus indicates that the suspect was familiar enough with CTA procedures to log in and start the bus, but he did not appear to be an expert driver, the release said.

“The CTA and the Chicago Police Department are working closely together to identify and quickly apprehend this individual,” CTA President Richard Rodriguez said in the release.
“The safeguards in place to keep our garages secure clearly were circumvented and that is not acceptable. Because this person was in a uniform and familiar with the CTA, we are tightening our check-in procedures.”

Bus operators are required to show their driver’s license to the garage clerk when reporting for their work assignment, at each CTA garage. It is mandatory for all employees to visibly display CTA identification at all times and they are disciplined if they fail to comply. In addition, all garage doors will be closed and locked overnight with the exception of those used to allow buses to exit and enter.

The CTA are in the early stages of implementing a biometric time and attendance system which will require employees to swipe in and out as they enter and exit garages.

For the complete story, please see the Sun-Times Media Wire or the CTA website.

Mitrefinch biometric time and attendance fingerprint readers and Access Control solutions harness the latest multispectral imaging technology, allowing organisations to tighten up security and help ensure that imposters are unable to force their way onsite.

Standard biometric readers can be circumvented, as they capture only the image of the fingerprint ridge surfaces that come into contact with the sensor. These ridges are easy to imitate using common household products and ingredients.

Mitrefinch readers on the other hand can differentiate between living flesh and non-living flesh or other synthetic materials, eliminating the threat of imposters and spoof fingerprints.

For more information contact us on 1300 884 831, email sales@mitrefinch.com.au or visit us online at www.mitrefinch.com.au

Biometric Time and Attendance Technology for the Real World

The benefits of biometric Time and Attendance systems have been well documented and the biometrics field has made considerable advancements in recent years.

Despite this there are still common environmental and demographic issues that represent significant challenges for the biometrics industry and, as a result, have limited widespread adoption of the technology for employee management purposes.

The true test of a biometric Time and Attendance system is how it performs under real world conditions. This article examines some of the environmental issues that can cause a major headache for System Administrators and how the next wave of biometric technology can help address the problem.

Damp or Cold Environments
Most biometric systems are relatively reliable in sheltered, enclosed environments. However, the reality is that many Time and Attendance systems are often required to perform outdoors or in cold, refrigerated areas. In particular, conventional biometric fingerprint sensors can struggle in damp conditions as excess moisture obscures fingerprint ridges, resulting in images of puddles, rather than fingerprints. Sweaty hands can cause a similar problem.

Dry Hands
Standard biometric readers rely on a firm and complete contact between fingertip and sensor, in order to capture accurate and reliable images. Unfortunately, the common problem of dry hands, caused by anything from climate conditions or natural skin characteristics to frequent hand-washing or air travel, means that this is not always possible.

Rough Conditions
In the rough and tumble of daily life, our hands can become worn, torn and dirty. Especially in the Manufacturing and Construction sector, it is common for employees to be working with greasy, rough or dirty hands. This in turn means that workers’ fingerprints can be difficult to pick up by conventional biometric readers that rely on quality, clean contact between the finger and the sensor.

How multi-spectral imaging can help
The core problem with conventional technologies is that they rely on clear and complete contact between the fingerprint and the sensor, a condition that is elusive in the real world.

Multispectral imaging is a sophisticated technology that was developed by Lumidigm*, a world leader in pioneering biometric solutions, to overcome the fingerprint capture problems conventional imaging systems have in less-than-ideal conditions.

Multi-spectral imaging combines multiple spectrums of light and advanced polarisation techniques to extract unique fingerprint characteristics from both the surface and subsurface of the skin which is unaffected by surface wear and other environmental factors.

This enhanced data capture capability overcomes the fingerprint capture problems conventional imaging systems encounter, as when the fingerprint ridges on the surface are marred by an injury, dirt or moisture, the subsurface information remains intact, and the multi-spectral sensors can collect it.

Mitrefinch Australia are now incorporating Lumidigm’s award winning technology into their new biometric Time and Attendance terminals. The robustness of Lumidigm’s technology will allow Mitrefinch customers to have a biometric solution in environments where standard fingerprint readers were not previously feasible.

If you would like to find out more about Mitrefinch Biometric Time and Attendance solutions contact 1300 884 831 or sales@mitrefinch.com.au. Mitrefinch Consultants are on hand to provide online and onsite demonstrations of their biometric terminals in action and can also run small pilot programs to ensure that the technology will work for your organisation.

* Lumidigm’s technology advantage is protected by numerous US and International PCT patents. They provide identity management solutions for civil ID, point-of-sale, time and attendance, physical and logical access, and portable electronic device applications.

New biometric technology can cut out imposters

How can you be sure that your premises are truly secure? How can the common problem of imposters or ‘spoof’ fingerprints be combated? Conventional biometric readers can be circumvented, as they capture only the image of the fingerprint ridge surfaces that come into contact with the sensor. These ridges are easy to imitate using common household products and ingredients.

In response to this issue, the new Mitrefinch biometric readers harness Lumidigm's multispectral imaging technology, which differentiates between living flesh and non-living flesh or other synthetic materials. The latest Mitrefinch biometric clocks will allow you to tighten up security and help ensure that imposters are unable to force their way onsite.

Mitrefinch is a leading provider of Time and Attendance systems and Access Control solutions. Contact Mitrefinch today on 1300 884 831, email sales@mitrefinch.com.au or visit us online at www.mitrefinch.com.au for more information on how are customers are benefiting from using biometric time and attendance systems

Mitrefinch take Biometric Time and Attendance to the next level

As part of a continuing commitment to new product innovation and development, Mitrefinch are pleased to announce that they are now incorporating Lumidigm’s patented multispectral imaging technology into their biometric time and attendance terminals.

The introduction of Lumidigm’s pioneering technology represents a major advancement for the biometric time and attendance industry. By capturing high-quality images, Lumidigm’s Mercury Series fingerprint sensors provide accurate enrollment and verification for all users, even when fingerprint ridges are hard to distinguish due to genetics, age, dirt, finger placement, or environmental conditions such as moisture, temperature and bright ambient light.

For Mitrefinch’s customer base, Lumidigm’s sensors will eliminate common real world performance problems that occur when users can’t enroll on standard fingerprint devices, which often leads to user frustration, an increase in system costs, lower productivity and can breed resistance to universal biometric technology adoption.

"The integration of Lumidigm technology greatly enhances the overall application of Mitrefinch's biometric time and attendance solutions", said Allan Murdoch, Mitrefinch Australia Business Development Director. “The robustness of the Lumidigm Mercury sensor allows our customers to have a biometric solution in environments where standard fingerprint readers were not previously feasible.”

Commenting on the partnership, Lumidigm’s Director of Business Development, Seth Miller, said, “Mitrefinch was quick to understand the value of Lumidigm technology and incorporate it into their advanced customer solutions. Time & attendance is an important market for Lumidigm and Mitrefinch is an excellent partner in that space”.

The Mitrefinch biometric time and attendance terminal with integrated Lumidigm Mercury technology will be available in Australia from July.

ABOUT LUMIDIGM
Headquartered in New Mexico, Lumidigm Inc. is a biometric company dedicated to enabling convenient, secure, and reliable identification and verification. Lumidigm provides biometric identity management for civil ID, point-of-sale, time & attendance, physical and logical access, and portable electronic device applications. Lumidigm’s technology advantage is protected by numerous United States and International PCT patents and applications.

For more information see: www.lumidigm.com