Right Face, Right Place: The Importance of Facial Recognition In Construction

In today’s digitally competitive market, maintaining a good time tracking software is vital for any construction company to stay healthy and successful.

With advancements in modern technology, contractors no longer need to depend on pen-and-paper tracking, which is often prone to errors.

With a variety of time tracking apps available, managing complex construction projects with multiple tasks and large workforces has never been easier.

However, using digital technology is not without its drawbacks. Even though time-tracking software is far more accurate than manual methods, the risk of time theft still exists.

With the introduction of biometrics, many of these risks can be reduced or eliminated.

The two most popular forms of biometric security include:

1. Fingerprint recognition – requires finger contact on a sensor.
2. Facial recognition – A specialized camera is required to scan the face.

Using biometrics is not only safer for companies but is now also preferred by individuals, as according to studies, about 72% of consumers would rather use facial recognition over a password.

While companies can rely on the benefits of using a time tracking app, adding additional biometric security can safeguard against any digital failures.

Facial Recognition in Construction: Key Insights:

• Construction sites benefit from facial recognition time clocks, as they offer superior accuracy over traditional methods, significantly reducing human error in tracking worker hours on projects.
• Implementing facial recognition technology in construction enhances business operations by automating attendance tracking and preventing time theft on job sites.
• Facial recognition systems in construction enhance cybersecurity, protecting sensitive project data and worker information in the digital space.
• Biometric technology, especially facial recognition features, provides increased security for construction projects, making it a preferred choice over conventional password systems for contractors and workers alike.
• Facial recognition time tracking in construction eliminates “buddy punching” and other forms of time theft, potentially saving construction firms millions in labor costs annually.
• The adoption of biometric solutions in the construction industry not only improves accuracy but also encourages punctuality and increases overall efficiency in managing diverse workforces across multiple project sites.

Why Are Biometrics Becoming So Important?

Every individual has unique biometrics, which are identifiable physical or behavioral characteristics typically used for security purposes.

For example, no two fingerprints are the same, so your unique fingerprint is perfect for security, as it is extremely hard to imitate.

The same principle applies to facial recognition, which measures facial features, such as the distance between your eyes and the shape of your nose and jawline, to confirm an identity.

Using AI and new advanced technology, these unique characteristics can be analyzed and confirmed within seconds.

This makes using biometrics very useful for keeping digital systems protected.

Biometrics have become increasingly important across many industries, as the high level of security they provide for personal identification is invaluable.

With the ability to integrate with other modern systems, biometrics are convenient, accurate, and highly secure.

Finally, using biometrics, construction companies can help deter one of the costliest failures of identity verification: time theft.

What Is Time Theft?

Time theft is when an employee is paid for time that they did not actually work.

Time theft typically happens when workers:

• Arrive late or leave early but still record their normal hours.
• Take extended breaks longer than allowed, but record regular hours.
• Perform personal activities during work hours, such as personal phone calls, internet use, or running errands.
• If one employee clocks in for another employee, also known as “buddy punching,” it allows the absent worker to record regular hours without being present.
• Do not make good use of their time by performing tasks ineffectively.

Most time theft occurs in construction because of poor systems of time tracking, often resulting in a variety of ways workers can manipulate or falsify their hours.

This oversight can be costly to a construction company, resulting in substantial financial loss.

Fortunately, advancements in innovative technology and apps offered by third-party vendors allow companies to maintain better control over worker hours to prevent time theft.

How Facial Recognition Can Reduce Time Theft

Because facial recognition and other forms of biometrics require the unique characteristics of that specific worker, the risk of time theft is severely reduced.

Some methods of time theft, such as “buddy punching,” are eliminated entirely since the system requires either a face or fingerprint scan, which cannot be duplicated.

Buddy punching is by far the most common and most costly type of time theft, resulting in a $373 million loss to U.S. employers every year.

Through a sophisticated biometric identification and verification process, workers are unable to share physical credentials such as passwords or pins.

While facial recognition may not be able to completely eliminate all forms of time theft, it can still vastly improve a company’s security and defend against cyber hacking and worker misuse.

The Benefits of Biometrics for Construction Time Tracking

As the construction industry becomes more dependent on digital tools, the need for those tools to be secure, efficient, and easy to use has become very important.

Biometrics offer the benefits of:

• Greater accuracy and reliability, ensuring that only the actual worker can sign in, eliminating “buddy punching.”
• Convenience and efficiency, making the clock-in/out process much easier and faster, reducing the need to repeatedly type in passwords.
• Advanced security and fraud prevention, keeping unauthorized access out and authorized workers protected.
• Scalability and integration with other technologies. Biometrics can be scaled and connected to related systems, offering greater usability.

Additionally, using biometrics affects worker behavior and encourages employee accountability.

Workers can become more attentive and punctual, knowing their time is being tracked more accurately.

Unlike conventional passwords or PIN numbers, biometrics cannot be forgotten or misplaced.

In the end, using biometrics for construction time tracking offers a variety of benefits that optimizes the log-on/off process and protects companies from harmful cyberthreats or fraudulent use.

How to Find Software with Good Biometric Capabilities

When searching for the right biometric system for your company it is best to start by identifying your company’s needs.

Even though there are many options for time tracking services, they are not all designed the same.

Below is a list of important elements that companies may want to look out for when choosing a biometric feature:

• User-friendly interface that is simple to navigate for workers and managers alike
• Transparent data policies, with protective measures aimed at keeping a company’s data safe and secure
• Regular software updates and a well-maintained system with data backups.
• Technical support provided by experts
• Offline accessibilities to capture data even if jobsites are away from the internet and Wi-Fi functionalities
• Built-in GPS technology so workers can only sign in when within the site’s perimeter

These types of capabilities will give contractors confidence that their workforce is in the right place at the right time.

Keep Your Time Tracking Secure with WorkMax’s Facial Recognition   

As the construction industry moves away from manual methods of time tracking and toward mobile time tracking apps, it’s important to remember that many third-party vendors offer specialized time tracking systems for construction companies, but not all of them are created equal.

When looking for the best time tracking app for your company, it is helpful to look for the tools best suited for your needs.

So, it is important to research and identify your company’s time tracking needs before choosing.

And while considering important functionalities, one of the most essential features is biometrics.

Facial recognition in time tracking has become an effective new solution to reducing fraudulent tracking and improving efficiency.

With facial recognition and other security biometrics, construction companies can rely on the best form of digital protection and accuracy, saving valuable time and money and preventing possible cyber incidents.

If you’re interested in powerful time tracking with facial recognition, consider WorkMax, which offers top-of-the-line biometric security in an advanced time tracking app.

To learn more, talk to a specialist today!