Digital attendance monitoring

When large numbers of students attend a lecture at university, taking attendance takes time. Lists are passed round, signatures are added later, and in the end it remains unclear whether everyone on the list was actually present.

Barcotec’s digital solution confirms who is present in a matter of seconds. Students scan a personal QR code; a quick facial recognition check confirms that the code and the person match, and attendance is automatically recorded for the lecture.

• No one can check in on behalf of others
  The facial recognition system checks whether the person with the code is actually the same person standing there, in real life and at that very moment. A photo or having a friend sign in on their behalf won’t work. In the end, the list only shows those who were actually there.
   
• The facial data is not stored centrally anywhere
  The identifying feature is embedded in the QR code on the student’s smartphone, not in a university database. There is no centralised collection that could be lost or stolen. What isn’t stored cannot go missing.
   
• Two ways to register
  For day-to-day use, self-registration is sufficient: take a photo on your own smartphone, and the code is generated – no app and no appointment needed. Where greater accuracy is required – such as during exams – university staff carry out registration on the spot, check ID and authorise the code. Each university chooses its own approach.
   
• No queues at the entrance
  The verification takes place directly on the device and does not require a stable connection. Even if hundreds of students arrive at the same time and the Wi-Fi is at full capacity, the process is swift.

Barcotec supports higher education institutions every step of the way, from selection and set-up through to day-to-day operations. Working alongside your IT department and software partners, we tailor the right components to your processes.

Would you like to make it easier to track who has attended a course at your institution? Get in touch with us.

Do students have to install an app?
No. For the most convenient option, all you need is a website and your own smartphone. The code will then be available on your mobile. If you prefer, you can also register in person with university staff.

Where is the facial data stored?
Not in any central database. The identifying feature is contained within the student’s QR code, not on a university server. What isn’t collected cannot be stolen or compromised.

Can someone check in on behalf of another person?
No. When the code is presented, the system checks whether the person present is the same person as the one associated with the code, and whether they are genuine and alive. A photo or a third party signing in on their behalf will not work.

How does this fit in with the new EU rules on artificial intelligence?
The system only checks whether a face belongs to a specific code. It does not scan crowds or create a database of faces. This means it falls outside the strictest tiers of the EU rules on artificial intelligence, which makes compliance checks easier for legal and IT departments.

Does it still work if the Wi-Fi in the lecture theatre is poor?
Yes. The verification at the entrance takes place directly on the device and does not rely on a stable connection. Even with many participants at the same time, there are no bottlenecks.

What happens if a student loses their smartphone or gets a new one?
The code can be reissued. The old one becomes invalid, so only the current code counts.