In this featured piece by Smart Cities Dive (originally published in American City & County), Terry Swanson, president and CEO of Singlewire Software, explains how local governments can protect the people inside their buildings by starting with a secure, digital entrance process. He describes how visitor management systems can screen guests against national databases, watchlists, and custom banned-visitor lists using photo ID and facial recognition, flagging issues before they escalate. Swanson emphasizes that local governments should prioritize flexible, non-proprietary hardware so they can scale check-in areas and adapt to their own budgets and needs. He also outlines how pairing visitor management with mass notification software can extend alerts to more people through phones, speakers, digital signage, and text messages, and how digital drill-scheduling tools help multi-site organizations track safety compliance.
Key Takeaways
- Terry Swanson, president and CEO of Singlewire Software, writes that visitor management systems can screen guests against national databases, watchlists, and custom banned-visitor lists using photo ID and facial recognition.
- Swanson recommends local governments prioritize flexible, non-proprietary hardware for check-in systems so they can scale to accommodate large groups and adapt to budget constraints.
- Visitor management systems can integrate with mass notification software to extend alerts beyond the front desk to desk phones, speakers, digital signage, computers, and mobile devices.
- Permitted guests can be automatically registered to receive SMS text alerts during their visit if an issue arises, keeping everyone informed on how to stay safe.
- Digital drill-scheduling tools can help organizations managing multiple sites coordinate safety drills and create digital records to demonstrate compliance.
Original Story
Operations within local government buildings are critical, which is why it’s important to have tools in place that can protect the people inside to keep those operations running as smoothly as possible. That starts with creating a secure entrance. Many organizations either do not have standard processes in place for guests who visit their facilities or rely on pen-and-paper check-in sheets, which can allow unauthorized personnel to gain access to sensitive areas. Visitor management systems can offer a digital alternative that can help organizations identify potential threats before they can disrupt ongoing activities.
These tools can come in different forms, but local governments should keep flexibility in mind, particularly regarding the hardware these systems rely on to conduct check-ins. Proprietary hardware can limit how an organization can set up a check-in area and create unforeseen issues if hardware becomes inoperable. Being able to choose the devices that fit an organization’s budget and needs offers more freedom for an organization to create a process that works best for them and their visitors.