This is a continuation of experts share how to utilize touchless technologies and biometric solutions, as well as emerging solutions such as contact tracing.
Utilizing New (& Old) Solutions
Mark Robinton, V.P. IoT services for HID Global, notes that the pandemic has exacerbated some already existing challenges in the access control market and driven companies to adopt new technologies sooner than they may have done without the emergence of the virus.
“For example, organizations have long wanted to know who and when outside visitors have entered and exited their facilities for security purposes, but in the pandemic, it’s become increasingly important to know whom everyone has interacted with in case of a COVID-19 outbreak.”
Two solutions that have gained attention over the past two years are people counting and occupancy monitoring. Though these solutions existed prior to COVID — most commonly for business intelligence — they are now in demand to assist in stopping the spread of the virus. Also gaining more attention and demand is contact tracing. Let’s delve into these solutions.
People Counting & Occupancy Monitoring
When businesses began to reopen following the initial COVID panic, many were forced to observe strict occupancy limits. Though a store could assign an employee to stand by the door with a pen and paper to keep track of how many people have come and gone, it would be more efficient to utilize an automated solution. The right solution can provide peace of mind for both customers and workers alike. It also has numerous benefits in an office setting.
“People counting and occupancy monitoring allows end users to better allocate resources, reduce facility expenses and ensure public health regulations are being followed by being able to manage occupancy, understand employee attendance throughout the facility and manage desk assignments,” says Stamatelos.
These solutions can provide much value to retailers, typically including analytics, reporting tools and alerts for when occupancy limits are being reached. Employees or managers can then receive those alerts on a mobile device, email or in the security platform being utilized.
Contact Tracing
Contact tracing solutions provide the ability to see the occupancy of a specific space and for how long a person was in that space, so if someone was to test positive for COVID-19, everyone that was in the vicinity could easily be notified and take the appropriate measures. There are different ways this can be done.
One of the more unique methods to emerge is the use of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) fobs combined with real-time location services. Employees wear a fob that communicates with a gateway that records a full digital trail of an employee’s whereabouts and historical interactions.
“Wearable beacons can provide accurate reports on the duration of employee interaction. Instead of days to gather all the information, contact tracing reports can be run in minutes, so those who may have come in contact with an infected person can be notified as soon as possible,” explains Robinton. “Enhanced systems can even function as reminders to remain the CDC recommended six feet apart by sending a visual or audible cue to the beacon.”
The New Access Control Normal
Though innovative access control solutions have seen a swell of interest due to the pandemic, it does not mean we should expect that attention to subside once things get “back to normal.” Mobile credentials, biometrics, occupancy management — these are all things that can make the average person’s life more convenient and safer.
“The products that have been created are mostly not going to go away and we’re going to learn from this pandemic. Businesses are going to learn from this pandemic. We’ll have better people management systems and processes, better disaster preparedness. Hoteling, work from home, cybersecurity — all of those are going to make us more secure,” says Allen.
Robinton echoes this sentiment, saying that although COVID has exacerbated some already existing challenges in the access control market and driven companies to adopt new technologies sooner than they may have done without the emergence of the virus, those technologies are likely to stick around.
“Organizations want technology that that has a life beyond COVID. They are searching for open platforms that can be used for employee security and safety with additional features like duress alarms, building monitoring features, even the ability to track equipment health in real-time, all while building on their initial investment,” he notes.
Touchless Solutions from the ISG
The ISG’s nationwide network of identification and security experts offers a full range of Identiv biometric and touchless access solutions, plus many others. Tell us your story, your expectations and let us discover together how ISG biometric solutions can improve your organization.
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