CAMPBELL, CALIF. – December 7, 2006 – Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies today announced that the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort, a AAA four-diamond rated Hilton waterfront beach resort that offers 290 rooms with luxurious accommodations situated in Huntington Beach, Calif., is using its biometric HandPunch reader to input time and attendance for tracking more than 330 employees. As a result, the Hilton has better controlled payroll costs by eliminating all buddy punching, in which one employee clocks in or out for another.
"With more than 300 employees, buddy punching had become a challenge a couple of years ago," reports Romy Robb, Payroll Administrator at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort. "So, instead of using old magnetic stripe ID cards, we switched to the HandPunch reader in 2004."
The HandPunch reader automatically takes a three-dimensional reading of the size and shape of a hand and verifies the user's identity in less than one second.
"Since employees can't lose or forget their hands, these biometric readers eliminate the need for employees to carry a badge, thus purging the problem of lost or forgotten badges. This also saves us time and money," explains Robb
When reviewing which biometric to use, the resort's staff did not accept fingerprint scans because the process was too similar to fingerprinting. The HandPunch reader was accepted as much less intrusive. Because it plugged right into their system, the HandPunch provided a smooth transition from the old ID card system.
"We are very happy with the HandPunch," continues Robb. "It is easy to operate. With its help, we can produce all types of payroll reports. Right now, we are using the HandPunch for five different pay rates, but our possibilities are unlimited. The HandPunch is also helpful in tracking employee meals, which we need for tax reporting purposes."
At the resort, the reader is conveniently located at the employee entrance, across from the security office. Such proximity increases facility security because everyone who goes in and out is screened at the entry and exit points. The payroll is done from a different location because data from the HandPunch is transferable and accessible via the Internet.
Employee Management Solutions in Laguna Niguel, Calif. implemented the resort's time and attendance solution. The HandPunch interfaces with NOVAtime time and attendance software.
Ingersoll Rand Recognition Systems was named a recent recipient of the Application Market Penetration Leadership Award for access control and time and attendance applications in Frost & Sullivan's study, World Biometrics Market. The company's website is www.recognitionsystems.ingersollrand.com.
