In this featured piece by Facility Executive, Terry Swanson, president and CEO of Singlewire Software, outlines key features organizations should look for when choosing a visitor management solution to replace outdated pen-and-paper sign-in sheets. He covers the importance of facial recognition paired with ID screening against sex offender databases and watchlists, along with the value of choosing non-proprietary hardware for flexible check-in setups. Swanson also details self-check-in options for high-traffic events, multi-site insights for organizations managing several locations, and the benefits of integrating visitor management with mass notification systems to widen the reach of alerts. He closes by noting that digital record keeping and drill management tools can further strengthen a facility’s overall safety posture.
Key Takeaways
- Terry Swanson, president and CEO of Singlewire Software, writes that visitor management systems using facial recognition alongside ID screening tend to produce fewer false positives, reducing manual intervention at the front desk.
- Organizations should look for visitor management systems without proprietary hardware requirements so they can use existing tools like tablets, laptops, and barcode scanners.
- Self-check-in options, including pre-visit registration links, can streamline the process for facilities expecting large numbers of visitors or hosting special events.
- Multi-site insights let organizations complete a visitor’s check-in once and recognize that the person is cleared when visiting other locations the same day.
- Integrating visitor management systems with mass notification software expands alert reach beyond the front desk, notifying security teams and enrolled visitors quickly if an incident arises.
Original Story
Maintaining a secure facility starts with having a secure entrance, which is why many organizations are turning to visitor management solutions to help stop unwanted guests from gaining entry. Pen and paper sign-in sheets just don’t cut it when it comes to keeping accurate logs and validating visitor identities to ensure that everyone who enters a facility is supposed to be there. However, the marketplace is more crowded than many organizations may expect when searching for the right visitor management solution. Here are some key features to consider when selecting a visitor management tool.