Biometrics + do we need them?

Gear Change. A series by James Price. Fast information for when your time is poor, and you know the best time for change is now. 

 This series provides insight and advice with a focus on improving productivity and sustainability for aged care providers in Australia. A series that you can squeeze in during your lunch hour and then share the ideas with the rest of your team in the afternoon. 

I clearly remember the days working at my local supermarket and the drive to start my shifts in my Ford Fiesta. It was the 1.1 ‘L’ if anyone is interested . . . 

One of my first tasks before starting a shift was to swipe my employee magnetic card. A magnetic card! Pretty risky considering anyone could have clocked on for me and I would have totally gotten away with it right? 

Well no actually. At the start of my shift, my manager would expect me to be present. If I failed to be present, management checked to see if I had clocked in. If I had not, my name was called out over the supermarket PA system and the search for James would begin!  

Fast forward and we have replaced the magnetic card with biometrics to enhance security and reduce time theft.  

Wait. What? 

Did we just go backward, spend thousands of dollars more for a fingerprint reader and give ourselves the additional responsibility of maintaining and protecting personal data? 

Why didn’t we just use a PIN code instead, after all, it works for over 3 million ATMs across the world. 

When discussing time and attendance, we asked the same question when co-designing Mirus Works! with our clients. We asked do we really need biometrics? 

During our human-centered design approach, we found employees needed to be able to do more at the point of a “shift start”. This requirement was also shared by the management teams we worked with. We also needed to answer the question of how do we take into account mobility and what else could the terminal do for us? 

Well, I’m glad you asked. How about a terminal that allows you to select offered shifts, apply for leave, see your leave balance, see your skills and certifications, oh and yes finally, start your shift. 

Easy. An iPad, Android tablet, or if you prefer, your own mobile phone can be used for all of this. And if I’m on the bus still traveling to work? Well, you can do everything except start your shift. We have used GPS to help us know when you’re at the facility. 

Sounds good right? Best of all, by relaying real-time information, we can see who is on a shift, when they started, when they will finish and if the next shift is ready to go, on the screen/s for everyone to see.  Better accountability, better coverage, and importantly better for our residents. Did I mention in real-time? 

Find out more about Mirus Works! here, because if you would like real-time staff information, we need to talk.

Risk + quality + for the love of spreadsheets by James Price

James Price, co-founder at Mirus Australia is a self-confessed petrol head. That is a person who is overly reliant on the use of their car and enjoys making a noise with it. James frequently shares a car analogy to explain a methodology, complex problem or an idea that has formed and with the goal of #makingagedcarebetter