Tag: Biometric

A Message To You…..

Over the course of the month, inspiring commercials produced by a well-known high street bank have started to appear on TV, titled “A message to myself in 6 months’ time.”

The commercials are essentially video messages created by members of the public, currently in lockdown, with the intention of sending a motivational memo to themselves for 6 months’ time.

They range from people being thankful for family and friends, to a couple sharing their isolation wedding arrangements for when they eventually tie the knot later in the year; you get the general idea.

During this unfamiliar and surreal time, is it still ok to plan? Can we prepare for the future during a period of severe restrictions, with the country locked down to such a degree that there is no definite ‘end date’ in sight?

Where do you see yourself in 6 months, a year or 5 years’ time is a question normally reserved for job interviews. The answers range from the usual run-of-the-mill, “Hopefully working here” to the eye-opening “I’ll be sat in your chair!”

So, considering the recent adverts, we have a message for you, “Where do you see not only yourself but your business in a year’s time? When restrictions are finally relaxed and lifted will your business still be operating in the same way?

More importantly, do you want it to be?”

At the start of 2020, nobody could possibly have envisioned the situation we all currently find ourselves in. For business across the UK, it is without question a testing time. However, will you look back at this moment with regret or will you be thankful that you had chosen this time to consider real investment for your company?

If this period is causing you to focus on a much needed and long overdue overhaul of your company’s processes, then ELF Productivity Ltd has the answer.

ELF Productivity Ltd’s Ceequel® software suite encompasses Biometric Time and Attendance with Human Resources, Access Control, Shop Floor Data Capture and mobile-clocking Apps for both I-Phone and Android, along with hardware that incorporates both facial recognition and proximity terminals.

Clear and precise Real-Time information as it is processed through your business.

We have no tangible idea of what the coming months hold or when we will see some degree of normality return, but one thing is clear, do not stop planning for the future. Make certain that you can pinpoint this moment as a pivotal time when you made the key decision, that once able, you were proficient enough to move your business forward.

Ensure that the message you send to your ‘future-self’ today is one that you will be happy to receive in a year’s time.

For a closer look at ELF Productivity Ltd’s Biometric Time Management system, contact us today on 01257 256000 for a free, no obligation demonstration and quotation of Ceequel® software suite.

Or alternatively, please feel free to download our brochure catalogue here.

School’s Out!

School’s already out for the summer and you’re either working remotely, in a 3-month isolation or like the remainder still heading into work.

Slimming World/AA sessions have already been booked in advance of the 3 stone + predicted weight gain that is set to infiltrate the UK’s population as we binge watch, binge eat and binge sleep our way through lockdown!

UK 2020 Lockdown. It sounds like a bad Gerard Butler film! Life as we know it, placed on hold and held to ransom because of a vicious little virus.

Under normal circumstances the finger would be pointed at the irritating ‘bug’ that is better known as Trojan but unlike Trojan this worm is proving much harder to erase and will require something a lot tougher than Bitcoins to shift it!

Ctrl-Alt-Delete; the default setting for eliminating everything and everyone but as we’ve discovered you can’t just press ‘escape’ in the hope that everything will disappear.

So, what do we do? We do what we have always done, adapt to the situation.

Remote working. Not for everyone as we know, as some workers can’t just ‘work from home’ but for those that can, the current situation could prove to be a real turning point in their careers.

Juggling and rotating work with childcare has never been an easy balancing act, however there’s now a real opportunity and valid option for workers who perhaps had never considered it and for employers who previously hadn’t wanted to entertain or contemplate the idea.

Which brings us to the ‘F word’………furlough.

Before the Covid-19 crisis, nobody had really heard of furlough but with a large percentage of the UK workforce literally out to pasture for at least 3 months what will this time-off reveal not only to the workers themselves but their employers too?

As we are seeing daily, workplaces, particularly manufacturing are turning their companies over to new products. Inventors are revealing new ideas and creations to assist the NHS, whilst other businesses are adapting their products to help plug a gap in the supply chain.

Everybody working together, everyone realising that the UK can step-up and still actually ‘make stuff.’

Once Covid-19 is yesterday’s news, we will look back at this time and realise that it actually helped to bring British manufacturing and British inventions back to life.

Once the UK is through this crisis, we will come out stronger, more resilient and more eager to invest, create and produce. The assembly lines will be in full on production mode.

Made in Great Britain, back on the global manufacturing stage again, where it should be!

ELF Productivity Ltd and Ceequel® software, continuing to support, manage and assist all our clients during the Coronavirus outbreak.

If you are interested in a Biometric Time and Attendance Management system for your workforce, please feel free to contact us on 01257 256000 to arrange a free, no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software suite.

Or if you prefer, our brochure catalogue can be downloaded here.

We’ll Meet Again…..

Dad’s Army, the iconic TV show that showcased some of our finest actors is now in middle age, a classic series that was birthed from our last great conflict, WW2.

The 8th May 2020 will see the world observe the 75th Anniversary of the end of WW2. Sadly, given the current climate there won’t be any formal celebrations, however the unity, camaraderie and solidarity from the 1940’s era is clearly rising again.

A ‘team temperament’ is intensifying as we face and fight a very different enemy.

Many leaders today come equipped with a lot of ‘hot air’ but only when you have been tested through ‘fire’ can you truly call yourself a great leader!

Baroness Karren Brady was once quoted as saying “A real leader faces the music, even when they don’t like the tune.”

Whilst there will always be conflict of some degree in many ‘war-rooms’ how many of your ‘troops’ would step up and follow you into a very different corporate battle?

What type of leader do you think you are and does the private image match up to the reality? In your head are you ‘Stormin Norman’ when the reality is perhaps more Private Pike?

Private Pike, the youngest member of the Dad’s Army platoon and a very much indulged member. Always feared his domineering mother and lacked the confidence to step out, hence the now legendary phrase; “You stupid boy!”

His ‘boss’ of course was Captain Mainwaring, who was as pompous as he was brave and patriotic. With no prior combat experience, he was limited in his key strategic decision-making. He was also jealous of his right-hand man….

Which brings us to his second in command, Sergeant Wilson. An upper-class, public school educated, suave and superior gentleman with a fondness for the ladies. Well, one lady in particular, a certain Mrs Pike!

Lance Corporal Jones, the oldest member of the team. A leader beforehand who liked to reassure everyone whenever a crisis emerged with the renowned phrase “Don’t panic.”

Advice not heeded by Private Frazer and his dour, blunt and woeful, “we are all doomed” stance!

Private Walker, a fit and able-bodied black-market spiv. A shirker who was well-able but preferred to take the easy route.

Finally, we have Private Godfrey, a frail, gentle, amiable medical orderly. An old school gent.

A diverse bunch of individuals and looking at the characters, would you and your team identify with any of them?

Whilst the Dad’s Army unit might not be to everyone’s liking, the one endearing factor they did have was unity…..and a great sense of humour.

Despite everything that is currently happening around the world, we need to adopt the very same solidarity that saw us through WW2.

It’s during our greatest trials that patience, endurance and strength are produced. Only by adhering to the same ‘team solidarity’ that saw our grandparents and great-grandparents witness victory in WW2 will we crush this new enemy.

As our gracious and beloved Monarch has already reminded us, we will get through this time, we will see better days and we WILL meet again.

ELF Productivity Ltd and Ceequel® software, still delivering, still maintaining and still supporting our clients during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

If you are interested in a Biometric Time and Attendance Management system for your team, contact ELF Productivity today for a free no obligation, quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software suite.

Or alternatively, our brochure catalogue can be downloaded here.

Guidance For Preventing The Spread Of COVID-19

You are all now fully aware of the UK Government guidance for preventing the spread of COVID-19.

It is both our duty and social responsibility to ensure that we continue supporting our clients as much as humanly possible during this challenging time, to ensure that companies can continue to pay their staff, efficiently and effectively.

Because of this ELF Productivity Ltd has taken the following measures: –

• We will continue to have a fully-manned Technical Support Desk which has had social distancing protocols applied.
• Those who are able to work remotely from home are doing so.
• We are performing system configuration and training remotely via Skype and Team Viewer.
• Our hardware engineers are continuing to attend client sites where appropriate and have fully comprehensive hygiene procedures to follow.

We have put together a FAQ list, in which ELF Productivity can assist your organisation in maintaining business continuity with the first highlighting the correct way to keep your devices clean.

General advice on frequently touched objects.

Public Health England (PHE) recommends that cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces will help prevent people from catching and spreading COVID-19.

Clocking machines are interacted with by all staff daily, therefore we recommend that you sanitise your devices regularly throughout the day to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, however please be aware of the following points: –

Avoid the use of very high concentration bleaches as they may discolour the clocking / access control units.

Ensure that cleaning staff do not use abrasive cleaning products on transparent fingerprint scanners or units as they will cloud and could become non-functional.

Depending upon the terminals that you have, you may want to consider the following measures;

1. Facial Recognition – If you already use facial recognition terminals then you will be familiar with clocking without any physical contact. If any staff are using the additional fingerprint reader, we strongly recommend you direct them to use only facial recognition. If any staff report that they are unable to use facial recognition because their biometric template is no longer recognised (e.g their appearance has altered since enrolment, such as the addition of glasses or thick beards) simply re-enrol the staff member. The unit will automatically overwrite their old template with their new one.

2. Fingerprint Recognition – If you have fingerprint terminals and wish to keep using biometric technology, now may be a time to look at changing these for facial recognition units.

3. Proximity Recognition – If you have card / fob terminals then we recommend that you remind staff that the readers will operate without physical contact, no need to “tap” in and out, a wave will suffice.

Many of our clients already use wall mounted sanitisers and ensure frequent cleaning of their readers for general hygiene, please be aware of the points above.

If you have any concerns regarding Ceequel® software or any of your Time & Attendance devices, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01257 256000.

Keep Calm and Carry On

On the 1st September 2019, the world will stand and remember the 80th Anniversary of the outbreak of World War 2.

A war that plunged Britain into a period of desolation with ‘Britannia’ once again ‘in the trenches’. A war that raged until 2nd September 1945.

After 6 long years of conflict, how much of what transpired during that period, fashioned the contemporary nation that we occupy today?

From Alan Turing and his ground-breaking work on the complex Enigma code, work that paved the way for modern Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, to the Keep Calm and Carry On brigade of the Home Guard and the ‘Jam and Jerusalem’ steadfast ladies of the WI, WW2 produced some of our finest moments.

After all, you only really discover what’s under the surface when you are squeezed!

The PM in-situ at No 10 on that historic day was Neville Chamberlain; perhaps not the best day to be the ‘Boss’! But has history judged Neville kindly? After suddenly becoming terminally ill in 1940, we will never comprehend the manner of leadership he would’ve gone on to display.

But in all honesty, given the choice, would YOU have wanted the responsibility?

Despite his flaws, Sir Winston Churchill was perhaps the only person during that time, considered proficient enough for the ‘top job’.

Strategic planning, key decision-making, focus, dedication, commitment and loyalty, leadership qualities already in place, honed by Churchill’s many years in the military. Leadership qualities crucial to steering a nation through rationing, bombing raids, the Battle of Britain and the Blitz.

The steely British backbone the advancements in Computer Science and the birth of modern-day management as the United Kingdom re-built itself; all are by-products of the war years.

We may not be facing the same battles today, but workplaces can still be a ‘war zone’. From personality clashes to motivating staff, from business foresight to projection and ‘staying ahead of the competition’ they all require tactical planning, excellent negotiating skills and solid, dependable leadership.

So, after 80 years what have we learned? Have we learned to side-step and avoid confrontation, or have we learned to ‘step-up’ and meet our challenges head on?

One thing is certain, we have discovered that for every dedicated leader there is also an ally, an ally all too ready, willing and able to embark on that same challenge with them.

ELF Productivity Ltd and Ceequel® software the only allies you will ever need to facilitate a competent business strategy for your entire workforce.

If you are looking to introduce a Biometric Time and Attendance system into your company, contact ELF Productivity Ltd today for a free no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software suite.

Alternatively, please feel free to download our brochure catalogue here.

Holiday, Celebrate!

“If we took a holiday, took some time to celebrate”

Thinking of taking some well-deserved time off? Of course, you are! Sun, sea, sand and sangria, what’s not to look forward to?

But, whilst lazing on your lounger soaking up the sun, the question is…. who’s on your shop floor?

Ah, the typical summer scenario, several staff members all requesting the same holiday time, the epitome of an archetypal working business. Nothing new there.

However, does it really need to be that demanding or that much of a nuisance to organise?

  • Artificial Intelligence

The arrival of AI is ruffling a few feathers within HR and if truth be told, on the shop floor. Reported recently by a leading HR magazine, that despite the pessimism surrounding AI, there has never been a better time or opportunity to up-skill your entire workforce.

But, whilst pondering this soundbite, have you stopped to think about Time and Attendance?

With the UK’s delayed Brexit  departure and with job vacancies to fill, there’s a greater need for stability and for a Time Management solution that will deliver the whole ‘enchilada’ for UK business workforce management. Continue reading “Holiday, Celebrate!”

Send Her Victorious, Happy and Glorious

As anniversaries go, two hundred is quite remarkable.

This week the United Kingdom marks a very special day; the 200th Anniversary of the birth of one of its greatest monarchs, HM Queen Victoria.

Alexandrina Victoria was born at Kensington Palace on the 24th May 1819.

After what can only be described as an unconventional and solitary childhood, Victoria ascended to the throne upon the death of her paternal uncle, King William IV.

Victoria was just 18 years of age.

The new teenage Queen wasted no time in heading to her new ‘office’ and after dispatching her mother to the remotest wing she could possibly find, took up residence at the unfinished Buckingham Palace.

Following her Coronation and ensuing marriage to Prince Albert and with the fortitude that would eventually see her clock up 63 years on the throne, Victoria established her reign.

The ‘Grandmother of Europe’ the ‘Empress of India’ as she would eventually become known as, had arrived.

That’s not to say Victoria wasn’t without her testing times or critics. With cholera, death and assassination attempts, Victoria would emerge ‘victorious’ from the numerous challenges that arose during her time on the throne.

The Victorian era is perhaps attributed to be one of the greatest times for the United Kingdom and much of today’s successes and traditions were birthed during Victoria and Albert’s reign.

In 1829, George Stephenson’s steam locomotive, ‘Rocket’ was unveiled. This feat of engineering became the blueprint for modern design for the next 150 years.

Ada Lovelace, the remarkable mathematician who Prince Albert admired greatly, emerged during Victoria’s early reign due to her work on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine.

Ada is considered perhaps to be, the first female computer programmer.

But what do we know about her Prince Charming, Albert?

Albert, a serious, dependable, logical thinker was at the forefront when it came to public health. Working alongside the Royal Society, Albert improved the hygiene and sanitation conditions for not only Buckingham Palace but the City of London as a whole. The Palace became one of the first ‘shop floors’ to provide ‘facilities’ for their staff.

With forward thinking, Albert achieved an even greater height with his vision of a ‘grand exhibition’.

The Grand Exhibition of Works and Industry in 1851 became a huge success and was showcased in a vast, flexible, glass construction that was essentially a conservatory.

Albert named the building Crystal Palace.

Victoria and Albert were at the forefront of change and modernisation, the effects of which the United Kingdom can still feel today.

So, all that remains for us to say is ‘Happy Birthday’ your Majesty!

ELF Productivity Ltd and Ceequel® not only Made in the UK but like V&A, progressive, dependable and reliable.

If you are interested in Biometric Time and Attendance software for your business, contact us today for a free, no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software.

Explore ELF Productivity Ltd’s Time and Attendance software suite in more detail by downloading the brochure catalogue here.

Human Resources, Shop Floor Data Capture, Employee Self Service, Ceequel® Apps and E-Manager all fall under the Ceequel® umbrella.

Holding Out For A Hero

Here’s a question, which superhero do you identify with?

A bit random I know but with the release of Marvel’s Avengers Endgame the ‘super’ just got put back into hero.

Let’s be honest here, in your head you ARE Thor, you ARE Wonder Woman but in a real-life situation would others see you similarly?

Do you have an alter-ego, one perhaps that you aren’t even aware of? Are you Thor at play but Loki on the shop floor?

So, the question again, which superhero would you best associate yourself with?

First into the arena we have Steve Rogers AKA Captain America.

For some, Captain America IS the ultimate superhero. He’s honest, humble and loyal but more importantly dependable. He’s prepared to go that extra mile, no matter what it costs him. All in all, a great guy and a true leader.

Next up we have partners-in-crime, Black Widow Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton, AKA Hawkeye. Both highly skilled individuals but with no actual superpowers, they are limited to what they can achieve, hence their need for a notable ally. A solid correlation that produces great teamwork.

Next, we have the genius that is Bruce Banner better known by his alter ego The Hulk. Quiet, kind, but complex. As with most super intelligent personnel he can be solitary. He’s an asset to HR but comes with a slight emission caution.

Strutting into the arena with his trusty side-kick Pepper, we have Tony Stark. Iron Man is a self-made, flashy, playboy philanthropist. Tony and Pepper are an exceptional couple but Tony’s constant need for showy attention and air of narcissism highlights him more as the prima-donna of the team rather than a real leader.

S.H.I.E.L.D. We couldn’t sign off without mentioning the head honcho that is Nick Fury. Nick is for some, an honest, positive role model, the kingpin that keeps his team together. But is he all that he appears to be? Despite his authoritative role, can he truly be trusted?

Ceequel® not only a reliable and dependable Biometric Time and Attendance leader but the ONLY superhero you will ever need for your workforce Time Management requirements.

ELF Productivity Ltd and Ceequel® software suite; discover the ‘real’ Avengers on your shop floor.

If you are interested in a Human Resource Time Management software solution for your business, contact ELF Productivity Ltd today for a free, no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software.

Alternatively, please feel free to download our brochure catalogue here.

Made In The UK

Remember a time when it seemed that every town had its own Trotters Independent Traders.

A ‘Del’ and a ‘Rodders’ on every corner shouting the loudest to get the attention of savvy housewives, drawing their eyes to their latest ‘deal of the day’.

No fancy advertising, no gimmicks, just good old-fashioned straight talking, mais oui!

If you liked it, you bought it and we bought.

Well, unless you have had your head buried firmly in the sand for the last three years, this month providing all goes to plan, the UK is scheduled to leave behind its current ‘marketplace’ along with its petulant European cousins.

Au Revoir, Adiós, Auf Wiedersehen, Addio, farewell, so long, toodle pip!

Like it or not, Brexit is now firmly within the UK’s grasp and it’s racing towards the white cliffs faster than Lewis Hamilton on a tight bend.

The hottest debate is of course the future of British businesses, particularly manufacturing. Made in Great Britain is not only fundamental but key to a life after Brexit.

In today’s business climate, the ‘marketplace’ as we know it, may be about to alter but the confident traders and manufacturers are still out there.

Made in Great Britain, Made in the UK, what image do they portray?

They represent quality and global excellence. They epitomise hardworking, skilled craftsmen and women that are not only astute but confident that their products are the best on the ‘market’.

But, to remain competitive in any ‘marketplace’ you need the right ‘tools’ to help you manage your organisation appropriately and accurately.

But au contraire, not all ‘tools’ are the same.

Everyone wants a good deal but not at a hefty price and as you are aware you don’t have to be a ‘canny’ housewife to spot a good deal or indeed a bad deal!

So, what would a ‘deal of the day’ mean for your business?

Would it enable you to make progressive plans? Would it enable you to ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ during this transitional phase for the United Kingdom, whilst allowing you to remain competitive in YOUR market?

When the UK departs from the European Union on Friday 29th March, will you be confident that you have all the necessary ‘tools’ in place for your business and indeed your workforce?

ELF Productivity Ltd and CEEQUEL® software suite, a Biometric Time and Attendance management solution that incorporates software modules Human Resources, Employee Self Service, E-Manager and Access Control as standard.

If you would like to know more about a British brand that has been serving workforce management competently for almost 40 years, contact ELF Productivity Ltd today for a free demonstration and no obligation quotation of CEEQUEL® software suite.

Alternatively, please feel free to download our brochure catalogue here and make today the day you get on board with CEEQUEL®.

LOVE IS …….

“When I fall in love, it will be forever”

“Fairy-tales can come true if you’re young at heart”

The velvety smooth voices of legendary crooners Nat King Cole and Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, classy, iconic and instantly recognisable.

Just in case you hadn’t realised it, “Love Is All Around” February 14th is just around the corner.  Once again offices and shop floors across the nation, will be ‘saying it with flowers’ to their “Perfect” sweetheart.

But what is it about this time of year that makes us all go just a little bit bonkers?

Shops are bulging with Valentine cards as big as a small semi, flowers and chocolates suddenly double in price!  Somehow Valentine’s Day always seems to bring with it a very large receipt, not that you can put a price on true love of course, or can you?

Let’s take a closer look at that little four-letter word L.O.V.E as sung by Nat himself.

L is for the way you look at me
O is the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you adore

With an ‘end of term’ atmosphere now fast approaching, what if you looked at that little word differently?

What if L.O.V.E took on an entirely different meaning for your company this week?

L is for Logic
O is for Outstanding
V is for Value
E is for Exceptional

Same letters, different words. Words attributed to the Biometric Time and Attendance Management software suite that is CEEQUEL®.

CEEQUEL® a software suite that Human Resource departments ‘heart’ all year round, not just once a year.

A collection of outstanding modules established by our exceptional in-house team of highly-skilled developers.   Providing your rules have logic, ELF Productivity can facilitate ALL your Time and Attendance requirements at a cost that is “Truly” value for money.

A range of modules including Shop Floor Data Capture, Mobile Clocking Applications and Access Control, CEEQUEL® is “The One That You Want” this Valentine’s Day.

Take some time out this week and get to know and love a Biometric Time and Attendance Management company that along with Longevity, is Optimal has Velocity and is highly Esteemed.

Or as the legendary Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schultz put simply;

Love is………

Employee
Logistics
Facilitator

ELF Productivity Ltd and CEEQUEL® software suite, classy, iconic and very very extraordinary.

If you are interested in learning more about the incomparable software suite that is CEEQUEL®, contact us today.

Alternatively, please feel free to download our brochure catalogue here and learn how to “Love the One You’re With” this Valentine’s Day.