News & Press

Options for Enhanced Visitor Management

From IDenticard, now part of GE Infrastructure, Security:

When it comes to tracking visitors, it’s time to say goodbye to outdated visitors’ logs and stick-on name tags. From small to mid-sized or global, companies worldwide are embracing the growing number of security products that make approved visitor access, registration and tracking complete, fast and easy.

As they tighten up visitor procedures in their lobbies and reception areas, corporations, office buildings and condominium complexes have expressed an increased interest in electronic visitor management products that enhance security and access control systems. Many are finding electronic options are not only affordable, but they exceed their security needs with a variety of features and services. Take a look at a sampling of available technologies that can be used alone or in combination, to enhance security programs:

Visitor management systems
These easy-to-use systems are revolutionizing the way organizations track visitors. Some systems include stand-alone, single-lobby or networkable visitor badging systems in multiple buildings. Others offer advanced integrated solutions that include access control, digital photo ID badging and visitor management. Many of these products provide complete, fast, and secure visitor registration and pre-registration, recordkeeping, reporting and badging. With just a few keystrokes, security professionals can know in an instant who has entered or exited their building and the reason for their visit. Plus, by simply scanning a visitor’s business card or driver’s license, one can automatically customize a professional visitor ID badge in just seconds. Some systems also offer real-time tracking of visitors and web-based visitor pre-registration.

Web-based check-in systems
Some building owners and managers are using web-based registration systems that allow tenants to pre-register guests online. This process automates check-in with the building’s lobby attendant or guard. Visitors must then sign-in and show photo ID, but web pre-registration expedites the process.

Biometric readers
For some high security applications, biometric readers such as hand geometry readers are located at entrances, granting access only to those who belong in the building.

Self-expiring visitor badges
Some firms use reusable plastic badges, which a receptionist can issue to a visitor. The technology is designed so that the badge will automatically expire if it is not returned to the reception area within a certain period of time. Upon return, the badge can then be reissued for a new time period.

Color-coded visitor badges
To identify and track visitors, some companies issue color-coded badges, assigning a different color to specific categories of visitors i.e.; vendors, temporary employees, contractors, etc.

Card access turnstiles
Once the stuff of subway stations and amusement parks, today’s office-variety turnstiles are more appealing to the eye and can be customized to blend with the lobby.

• Barrier turnstiles: A physical barrier does not release at this turnstile until the user’s card is recognized.
• Optical turnstiles: Can be integrated easily with access control systems for enhanced visitor management. In addition to controlling traffic flow, these turnstiles eliminate “piggy backing” and keep an accurate count of the number of visitors who have entered the facility. If the card reader denies access to the card presented at the turnstile, a barrier emerges.

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