|
Author: Terrence F. Doheny Article source: http://www.great-finds.info/. Used with author's permission.
At this time of tight budgets, the mantra of business is "Return On Investment!" With few exceptions, expenditures are measured against the bottom line. Outlays for capital expenses are strictly evaluated in terms of profitability and the total cost of ownership. The era of purchasing new gadgets due to their "whiz-bang" factor is long gone. How can biometrics provide the sought after "R.O.I." in this environment?
A biometric hand reader prevents a felon from entering your office or warehouse. Can this preventive measure be assigned a dollar amount? A fingerprint scan stops an unauthorized person from gaining access to your computer system. Can a value be determined?
Confusion about the cost benefits of implementing biometric technology has several origins. For example, a business may have never conducted an audit of its critical data and physical assets. This lapse may cause them to have no idea of their value if those assets are lost or compromised. A company may also be unaware of its down-stream liability if their negligence results in damage to other firms or individuals. The costs of the resulting legal consequences and liability can often be overlooked.
In fairness to many businesses, it is difficult to assign a cost to these types of issues because they represent an uncertain, and hopefully unlikely, eventuality. However, as remote as that eventuality may seem, every day many firms face stunning financial losses due to theft, fraud and legal settlements.
Are there areas of the enterprise that can clearly show the profitability of adopting biometric solutions? Predictably, the greatest profits are realized in the applications that are considered the strongest for biometrics: "system access."
High on the list of frustrations for many companies is the plague of password problems surrounding their information systems. Denial of access, expired and forgotten passwords, log-on failures and other fiascos affect productivity and consume help desk resources. Biometrics can offer a cost effective cure for this dilemma. A formula for evaluating the R.O.I. can be roughly determined using a simple legal pad. A survey is conducted to determine the amount of time the help desk spends on password and access problems during the course of their day. After collecting this data for 30 days, calculate the percentage of hours spent on access issues against the total hours of help desk operation. This will provide a general baseline for determining the cost of these issues. For some firms it will be miniscule, but for other companies it may loom large and need attention. Surprisingly, many surveys reveal that approximately 30% of help desk resources are devoted to access and authentication issues. Estimated costs can then be calculated by evaluating the help desk's time spent addressing these problems. If it is 20% of daily activity, for example, calculate that percent as a dollar amount of the total help desk cost. Over the course of a year, it would not be uncommon to have an annual recurring charge of $200 to $300 per employee for access issues. This dollar drain does not even consider that the hours dedicated to these repetitive tasks could be better spent elsewhere by the I.T. staff. This diversion of time and talent results in a double impact on the bottom line.
The introduction of a biometric access solution can provide benefits on different levels often resulting in reduced expenses and stronger authentication. For example, fingerprint-scanning devices for access to data and computer systems are now being adopted in greater numbers. The costs of this hardware and its supporting software can vary from an inexpensive simple fingerprint pad reader or biometric mouse to more comprehensive enterprise solutions involving the use of resident servers or licensing arrangements. A key factor in the business decision to install these technologies is to consider carefully the one-time expense for these applications and hardware versus the ongoing costs of maintaining a current system of access support with its annual and repetitive expenses.
In summary, by utilizing biometric technology to effectively deal with the issue of control and access, the enterprise may create a system that provides safer and more secure authentication at a greater savings to the bottom line- a true case of a better "R.O.I." Terrence F. Doheny
President/CEO
Beyond If Solutions, LLC
http://www.beyondifsolutions.com
Terrence Doheny is President and CEO of Beyond If Solutions which provides advanced technologies for access control and information security for the individual and the enterprise.
Saving Money & Building Credit: Two Things You MUST Do in Your Financial Life
Face it, graduates (and the rest of you!)...simply because you're out of school, don't think that report cards are behind you. Your credit score will be how you...
Your Newsletters Are Pretty Lame If You Are Doing These 7 Things
I remember the good old days of the internet when it was a real treat to subscribe to someone's newsletter and receive all their wonderful information through t...
Always Look For The Best Online Sportsbook Before You Start Betting Online
Before you sign up with an Online Sportsbook and start betting online, you sure need to find out what to look for in a sportsbook service. The main idea of spor...
Omega 3 Fat is Good for Your Heart and for Your Brain
Scandinavian fishermen are a healthy bunch. It had long been known that they live longer and have much less heart and blood-pressure related diseases than their...
Affiliate Marketing - Join in on the Success of the 2nd Wave
All new industries go through first and second phrases and affiliate marketing is no exception. The first wave of affiliate marketing is over, so you must join...
Goal Setting & Go Getting: No Other Way
Do you know how most people set their goals but never get their goals? Here are some tips for you to get your goals everytime.
10 Benefits Of Submitting Your Articles To Ezines
Discover the top 10 benefits of submitting your articles to
ezines. The first is e.g. that you'll brand your web site,
business and yourself by submitting arti...
Whats Your Business Online Attitude?
This article was prompted by some customer support work I was involved in for a private members site. One of the paid subscription members wanted someone to loo...
Professional Lawn Watering Techniques - Wireless Sensors for Lawns in Drought Areas
Technology secrets to maintaining a perfect lawn in times of drought. How to use wireless sensors to protect your lanscaping investment.
Remote Deployment of Surveillance Spyware Software
To be installed, surveillance software no longer requires physical access. It can be done through other methods such as email.
The Benefits of Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 has exploded onto the health scene. This powerful
mineral has many health saving properties. It is responsible for
essential chemical reactions in ...
Why You Need To Be Accountable
Accountability can set you free - free to gain control of your circumstances and make great changes in your life.
Weight Loss Plateaus -- 7 Easy Steps to Overcome It
Hitting a weight loss plateau is a common experience for most women over 40 on a weight loss program. And it can be one of the most de-motivating things to hap...
Wedding Gown Styles
Congratulations! You are getting married. Now it is off to the bridal shop to pick that beautiful wedding gown. Here are a few terms that you should know bef...
10 Dynamic Traits of Over-Achievers
Are you a successful over-achiever? Considerable research has been done about the characteristics that typify the successful business owner. The article details...
Delicoious Swordfish
A very tasty swordfish recipe. This dish is a low fat culinary dream.
How To Look For Baby Books
Looking for Books! The books that you pick to read with your
child is very important. If you aren't sure of what books
are right for your child, here are some...
Information About Adverse Credit Homeowner Loans
While looking for adverse credit homeowner loans it can seem like you're fighting a losing battle.
Internet Battleground for Future of Residential Real Estate
Residential real estate faces a transformation in the near future from new players on the Internet.
Is Email Dying?
Some internet marketers think, or at least say, that email is dying. Is that fact, fiction, wishful thinking, an illusion, or a ploy?
Creating A Business Plan For Your Business
Find information about creating a business plan, what to include and how it is a good capital and management tool for your business.
Helping Your Child Face the Hidden Curriculum
Sometimes, as parents we don't agree with all the lessons are chidren are taught at school. How to counterbalance school lessons which present ideas we are agai...
A Beginners Guide to Lovebirds
The fascinating behavior of Lovebirds make them among the most interesting pet bird. Here's what you should know about keeping lovebirds as pets...
Mind - Are You Developing Your Will Power?
Article about Will Power.
|
Print this page