Case Study #05 - Simkins Industries
Packaging Pioneer Simkins Industries Halts Time Clock Misuse with HandPunch®
May 20, 2006
Packaging Pioneer Simkins Industries Halts Time Clock Misuse with HandPunch®
Industry: Manufacturing
Application: Time and Attendance
Biometric: HandPunch® 3000
Hand Readers: 14
Users: 300
Geography: United States
“The installation and setup of the HandPunch® terminals was quick and simple, and human resources personnel can easily be trained to enroll new employees. Overall, Simkins is very pleased with the new technology.”
- John Liversidge, IT manager, Simkins Industires
Summary
Simkins Industries stops time card misuse at its manufacturing facilities with reliable, easy-to-use IR Recognition Systems HandPunch® 3000 biometric time clocks.
Business Need
Simkins Industries of New Haven, Connecticut, a pioneer in multi-purpose packing materials, was troubled by costly time card misuse at some of its 13 facilities. In one case, lunchtime poker players had fellow workers clock in for them so they could continue playing after the break ended.
Challenges
Simkins initially replaced its time card system with finger scanners. These biometric devices stop “buddy punching” by comparing a person’s fingerprint to a previously stored template. Employees must be physically present to punch in. However, finger scanners work best in low volume areas like laboratories or drug dispensaries. They were not the right solution for high-use, high-traffic situations like the Simkins facilities, where employees clock in and out for shifts and lunch breaks.
Solution
The HandPunch eliminates expenses associated with lost, stolen or misused time cards. When an employee places a hand on the HandPunch, it automatically takes a three-dimensional reading of the size and shape and verifies the user’s identity in less than a second. Built with high-use applications in mind, the field-proven HandPunch can handle any population volume with ease and with impeccable reliability. With dramatically lower false reject and failure-to-enroll rates, the value of the HandPunch grows as the number of users or transactions increases.
The HandPunch terminals link directly into Simkins’ corporate TCP/IP network and IBM midrange iSeries (As/400) system. A payroll clerk at each facility calculates and verifies hours, and then transmits the information to the corporate system for once-weekly payroll processing.
Results
More than 300 employees at facilities in several states now clock in and out daily with HandPunch terminals. The hand readers are located at the entrance of each facility. Some departments also clock in and out for lunch.
“The installation and setup of the HandPunch terminals was quick and simple and human resources personnel can easily be trained to enroll new employees,” said John Liversidge, IT manager for Simkins. “Overall, Simkins is very pleased with the new technology.”
Some Simkins manufacturing plants still use paper timecards, but soon, all facilities will upgrade to HandPunch terminals, Liversidge added. Simkins also is considering installing HandPunch terminals to increase access control security at a medical carton production facility.
About the company
Founded by Samuel Simkins in 1901, the New Haven Pulp and Paper Company was a pioneer in folding carton manufacture. Under the second-generation leadership of Leon Simkins, the company has grown to 13 manufacturing operations. Today, Simkins Industries is a leading manufacturer of folding cartons, 100% recycled paperboard and specialty papers. It remains a mid-sized, family-owned company with excellent financial resources.
Industry: Manufacturing
Application: Time and Attendance
Biometric: HandPunch® 3000
Hand Readers: 14
Users: 300
Geography: United States
“The installation and setup of the HandPunch® terminals was quick and simple, and human resources personnel can easily be trained to enroll new employees. Overall, Simkins is very pleased with the new technology.”
- John Liversidge, IT manager, Simkins Industires
Summary
Simkins Industries stops time card misuse at its manufacturing facilities with reliable, easy-to-use IR Recognition Systems HandPunch® 3000 biometric time clocks.
Business Need
Simkins Industries of New Haven, Connecticut, a pioneer in multi-purpose packing materials, was troubled by costly time card misuse at some of its 13 facilities. In one case, lunchtime poker players had fellow workers clock in for them so they could continue playing after the break ended.
Challenges
Simkins initially replaced its time card system with finger scanners. These biometric devices stop “buddy punching” by comparing a person’s fingerprint to a previously stored template. Employees must be physically present to punch in. However, finger scanners work best in low volume areas like laboratories or drug dispensaries. They were not the right solution for high-use, high-traffic situations like the Simkins facilities, where employees clock in and out for shifts and lunch breaks.
Solution
The HandPunch eliminates expenses associated with lost, stolen or misused time cards. When an employee places a hand on the HandPunch, it automatically takes a three-dimensional reading of the size and shape and verifies the user’s identity in less than a second. Built with high-use applications in mind, the field-proven HandPunch can handle any population volume with ease and with impeccable reliability. With dramatically lower false reject and failure-to-enroll rates, the value of the HandPunch grows as the number of users or transactions increases.
The HandPunch terminals link directly into Simkins’ corporate TCP/IP network and IBM midrange iSeries (As/400) system. A payroll clerk at each facility calculates and verifies hours, and then transmits the information to the corporate system for once-weekly payroll processing.
Results
More than 300 employees at facilities in several states now clock in and out daily with HandPunch terminals. The hand readers are located at the entrance of each facility. Some departments also clock in and out for lunch.
“The installation and setup of the HandPunch terminals was quick and simple and human resources personnel can easily be trained to enroll new employees,” said John Liversidge, IT manager for Simkins. “Overall, Simkins is very pleased with the new technology.”
Some Simkins manufacturing plants still use paper timecards, but soon, all facilities will upgrade to HandPunch terminals, Liversidge added. Simkins also is considering installing HandPunch terminals to increase access control security at a medical carton production facility.
About the company
Founded by Samuel Simkins in 1901, the New Haven Pulp and Paper Company was a pioneer in folding carton manufacture. Under the second-generation leadership of Leon Simkins, the company has grown to 13 manufacturing operations. Today, Simkins Industries is a leading manufacturer of folding cartons, 100% recycled paperboard and specialty papers. It remains a mid-sized, family-owned company with excellent financial resources.