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Many facility managers found security technologies useful as they navigated guidance from organizations such as the CDC on preparing their buildings to limit the spread of COVID-19. And the power of that technology can be extended to other business functions as well.

Fremont, CA: When the COVID-19 pandemic began, facility management teams were faced with a slew of difficult decisions. They had to strike a balance between protecting their employees from an immediate health threat and keeping their facilities operational. Many facility managers found security technologies useful as they navigated guidance from organizations such as the CDC on preparing their buildings to limit the spread of COVID-19. And the power of that technology can be extended to other business functions as well. Managers can use integrated security solutions to solve some of their most pressing business problems as companies reopen facilities and seek to recoup lost revenue.

Increase Operational Efficiencies

As the pandemic spread, facility managers were forced to safely move their employees into, through, and out of their buildings. However, inefficient throughput management consumed a significant amount of employee time and resulted in long lines at entry and exit points during shift changes, creating a breeding ground for viral transmission. Managers can use advanced screening technologies to optimize throughput rate and create opportunities for further efficiency to recapture pre-COVID operational efficiencies.

Many businesses have probably already tried advanced screening if one implemented a human temperature screening station or a pre-visit health questionnaire during the pandemic, one has already tried advanced screening. The true power of these systems lies in automation: automated processes and workflows allow for faster, non-contact visitor and employee screening. 

see also: Business Management Review 

Consider not having to staff a front desk or manually take temperatures. One is shielding employees from potential viral spread while also streamlining the process of getting people in and out of one's building.

More Insights on Performance and Training

Managers may view facility cameras primarily as a means of catching burglars or detecting similar on-site threats. However, the camera is only one component of the puzzle. The analytical solutions now available to businesses unearth a plethora of new insights hidden within video footage.

Integrated video surveillance systems, for example, can monitor how employees move and behave within a facility. A manager could receive a notification about employees not wearing face masks from a health and safety standpoint, allowing managers to correct behavior around proper use. Cameras can also help managers identify areas where employees inadvertently congregate, such as breakrooms or conference rooms, and implement policies to eliminate those gathering points.

Video analytics enable one's system to go even further by identifying novel revenue-generating opportunities. In retail-focused facilities, for example, analytical software captures key data from video footage such as transactions, store traffic, line wait-times, heat-mapping, sales conversion, and incident reporting. Managers can use this data to adapt to changing markets, manage growth, and improve profitability. Companies could even get an accurate count of foot traffic and determine when customers' purchase rates were the highest or lowest. Analytics can tell which employees work during low-sales periods, allowing you to target training to the employees who require it the most.