Biometric Time & Attendance: Costs, Savings & Setup (South Africa)
- info3697993
- Aug 29
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 29
Late arrivals, buddy-punching and manual timesheets quietly drain money. A biometric time & attendance (T&A) system replaces guesswork with accurate clock-ins, cleaner payroll, and real productivity data.
At Intercom & Time Control (ITCSA) we deploy fingerprint and facial systems for schools, factories and offices across Cape Town. Here’s what to know before you buy.
The real costs you’re paying today
Time theft & rounding: 5–10 minutes “here and there” adds up. With 20 staff, that can be dozens of paid hours per month.
Manual processing: HR spends hours fixing timesheets and leave—time that could go to onboarding or compliance.
Disputes: Missing or unclear data leads to payroll queries and morale issues.
Why biometrics solve it
Unique identity: Fingerprint/face = no sharing cards or PINs.
Accurate time stamps: Down to the second, synced to a central clock.
Rules & automation: Overtime, grace periods, shift differentials, paid breaks, leave categories.
Reports that matter: Lateness, absenteeism, OT by cost center, export to payroll.
Fingerprint vs Facial—what to choose?
Fingerprint: Affordable, reliable indoors, great for offices and schools.
Facial recognition: Best for hygiene/throughput, or dusty/oily environments (workshops/warehouses). Works well with masks and hats on modern units.
Cloud or on-prem?
Cloud: Anywhere access, automatic backups, quick roll-out to multiple sites. Monthly fee.
On-prem: Once-off license, sits on your network. You maintain backups and updates.
POPIA & privacy basics
Register users with consent, keep access restricted, and retain data only as long as necessary. Use strong passwords and role-based access.
What a typical setup looks like
Site assessment & policy mapping: Shifts, grace, OT rules, leave codes.
Device placement: At main entrances—power, network, surge protection/UPS.
User enrolment: 2–3 fingers per person or quick facial scan; assign departments.
Payroll integration: CSV/API export to your payroll (weekly or monthly).
Training: Managers run reports; HR handles exceptions; staff learn self-service.
ROI example (simple maths)
Eliminate just 10 minutes/day of time theft and rounding for 20 staff at R60/hr:10 min × 20 × 22 working days = ~73 hours/month → ~R4,380/month. A small biometric system often pays for itself in a few months.
Why choose ITCSA
Correct rules, first time: We configure shifts, OT, and reports for South African payroll realities.
Hardware + software + cloud options: Buy outright or use our monthly subscription model (device + software + hosting + support).
Local support: Fast help when staff, shifts or sites change.
Call to action
Ready to stop paying for minutes you didn’t get? ITCSA — Biometric Time & Attendance specialists in Cape Town. Phone: 021 591 1204, WhatsApp: 072 289 2828 • Email: info@itcsa.co.za
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