With so many potential pitfalls, it’s difficult to recommend an iPad visitor management system.
When it comes to visitor management, it’s easy to see the appeal of an iPad visitor registration system. The majority of users are already familiar with tablet interfaces, so the learning curve is usually pretty gentle.
There are a number of disadvantages to tablet-based visitor management solutions, though. These range from customer support issues to potentially disastrous data loss.
So, we’ve compiled a list of problems you may come across with iPad visitor management, and why a dedicated visitor management system is a better option.
1. Customer support
If you’re using iPad visitor registration software you probably access to customer support for the app itself. But what about the hardware? Who do you turn to if you need help with integrating hardware and software?
A huge advantage of using a standalone visitor management system is dedicated customer support staff with extensive hardware and software knowledge.
At VisiPoint we take you through the process of specifying, purchasing and setting up your visitor management system, but the service doesn’t stop there. We pride ourselves on our aftercare and the thorough knowledge of our products.
2. Diagnosing problems
This ties in neatly with customer support. If your support team has deep knowledge of your hardware and software, they’re far more likely to diagnose a problem accurately.
Integrating hardware and software means that all your system support queries can be directed to one place. This means your issues can be resolved more quickly.
3. Hardware integration
Digital visitor management often requires bespoke additions to software and hardware to meet client requirements. This is much more achievable when you’re in control of both.
For example, a school may want to integrate their visitor management tools with access control technology. This functionality can be easily be added using components already built into the VisiPoint platform.
The only way to achieve the same functionality with a tablet is with bulky addons that may not integrate well with each other.
The VisiPoint visitor management system achieves this functionality in a far more seamless way by closely integrating hardware with bespoke software. Not only can we tailor the functionality of the software to your exact needs, we can also create a more reliable solution. Unlike some iPad visitor registration apps, our software is highly optimised for the hardware running it.
4. First impressions
Another risk of using a standard tablet with cumbersome hardware additions is that it doesn’t always give a great first impression to guests entering your reception for the first time.
A dedicated, all-in-one visitor management system blends far more seamlessly into a professional working environment.
5. Durability and longevity
One particular issue with iPads is that they run the risk of becoming obsolete very quickly. iPads – even ones used in visitor management systems – are consumer products. The way in which Apple releases their iOS updates will generally only give you 3-4 years of software support.
App developers tend to follow suit and end support for “obsolete” devices. This means a system based wholly on an app has a short lifespan.
Bespoke visitor management systems can last many years longer.
6. Security
A major issue with iPad visitor registration systems is information security.
There are some tablet-based visitor management tools that allow you to see information on every single person in a building. This includes their name, date of birth and a picture of them. Some of them even let you sign every person in the building out!
This is at odds with the GDPR legislation that is about to come into force in the EU.
A great alternative to a tablet visitor registration system is VisiPoint. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our experts.