Award-winning UK farm shop, The Balloon Tree, is
trialing the latest in biometrics technology from leading Time and Attendance
Management Software company, Mitrefinch, having already successfully used the
software system for the past two years to help increase productivity.
The new biometrics system adds an extra benefit to the
previous pin number I.D. system in that it utilises multispectral imaging that
can swiftly and accurately recognise fingerprints, whether hands are wet, dry,
greasy or dirty. Improving the speed and accuracy of data capture.
Since installing Mitrefinch’s time and attendance
software two years ago, Balloon Tree managers have used the data captured to
record time spent by staff working on the farm and in the shop and measure this
against productivity. The end result is an effective means of calculating
profitability of crops grown on the farm. With as many as 75 seasonal staff
working in a full or part time capacity across the farm at any one time, it
also cuts down on operational costs by enabling managers to plan and manage
complicated rosters more efficiently.
The Balloon Tree Finance Director, Diane Darley, said:
“I’m delighted to be trialing this new biometric time management system that
will help us measure our productivity even more accurately and efficiently.
Having used the data captured from Mitrefinch’s time and attendance management
software for the past two years, we have already been able to successfully
calculate the profitability of crops grown on the farm, as well as manage our
staff roster more effectively. The new biometrics system speeds up this vital
process of data capture, providing more accurate information that we can then
use to analyse the total costs of the farm, focusing on each individual
crop and the labour costs involved.
Integrating the costing and turnover information provides us with accurate
information to help drive down prices. Ultimately this is of great benefit both
to our business and to our customers.”
Mitrefinch are one of only a small number of companies
in the world to apply this particular type of multispectral imaging to time and
attendance management. Unlike other optical and thermal chip sensors, the
multispectral sensors see beyond the surface of the skin, providing accurate
I.D. and flawless imaging, regardless of the condition of the skin.
Debbie Guppy, CEO at Mitrefinch said: “As an already
valued customer who use our time and attendance software, The Balloon Tree are
the perfect organisation with whom to trial this new biometrics system. With a
large number of seasonal staff working in complex shift patterns across
different sites and in different conditions, the multispectral sensors in the
biometrics reader enables Balloon Tree managers to capture and use the data
even faster and more accurately. This will benefit the business both in cutting
down on operational costs and in running their business more profitably.”