Bangalore: Point-of-View (PoV) Communications, a Bangalore-based solutions provider for "everyday" business needs has launched a new identification (ID) card, V.I.S.A. It is a simple utility that enables users to capture photographs and signatures and generates cost-effective, tamper-proof photo ID cards.

V.I.S.A is a solution comprising a digital camera, an electronic signature pad, a barcode scanner and a software application. V.I.S.A can be used to manage and administer the identity needs of visitors, consultants, temporary workers and others visiting any corporate office or industrial facility. The barcode on the ID can be scanned and data retrieved from the system, which will avoid the visitors or vendors from entering information every time they visit the same organisation.

Apart from offering security, V.I.S.A helps the company to maintain a database of visitors. It can be employed under different industries like retail and service companies, corporate houses, hospitals, hotels and resorts, event management companies and educational institutions.

"V.I.S.A is easy to set up and administer. There are two other multi national companies (MNCs) selling dedicated photo-ID production systems in India, Datacard and Eltron. But they focus on secure transactions market, such as financial institutions and corporates. We are looking at market where there is large turnover of people, where IDs have to be issued regularly, as in schools, colleges and hospitals. The best feature about this product is its cost effectiveness, with each laminated photo ID card costing a mere Rs 5," says Phani Sharma, chief executive officer (CEO) and founder president, Point-of-View Communications.

With V.I.S.A, frequent visitors such as consultants, service providers and temporary workers need not be issued ID cards every time they visit. The front office staff can use the provided barcode reader to scan the barcode on the ID card, and retrieve details, thereby reducing the workload on the front office staff.

V.I.S.A in hospitals would help the patients and their relatives to walk in and out whenever necessary without problems and also avoid breach of security. Out patients can also avail this facility of ID cards, as it will help them to book appointments with the doctor by just quoting the card number, Sharma says.

"V.I.S.A can be modified as an end-to-end solution for managing labour at an industrial/construction sites, farms and estates plantations, which employ hundreds of temporary workers. Each worker can be assigned photo ID cards, which can be swiped or scanned for marking attendance and V.I.S.A can later generate an attendance register. V.I.S.A can be clubbed with any third party payroll application too," he told Indiainfo.com in an exclusive interview.

"In the hospitality industry, guests can just hand over the ID cards to the facility representatives when they visit the restaurants or any other service facility within the premises. The guests' billing details may be entered and cumulated. On check out, the barcode can be deleted from the database. Thus hotel managers can prevent any loss of revenue and be assured of the authenticity of the guest. In the event of any breach of security, commercial or criminal offence, details of the guests with their photographs and signatures can be handed over to the authorities," he states.

With optional software, V.I.S.A can be used as an attendance monitoring system. Since the IDs generated by V.I.S.A have barcodes, employees can just swipe the cards to mark their entry and exit times. At the end of a specified period, attendance reports can be generated. If necessary, for a fee, Point-of-View Communications can link the attendance to any third party payroll application at an additional cost, Mr Sharma explains.

"V.I.S.A can also be used by event management companies conducting seminars, trade fairs and conferences. Each delegate can be issued a photo ID card that will eliminate the need to enter information at every exhibitor's stall/booth. The exhibitors can be provided with bar code scanners, which will help in uploading delegates' details in the company's database. The booth representative can later download their information and follow up with those who show genuine interest in their products after the event," he elaborates.

The V.I.S.A package including the ID-making software, digital camera and a signature pad would cost the end user approximately Rs 50,000. An additional HP printer would cost extra, Mr Sharma says.

POV also has an application for schools and colleges, inclusive of devices mentioned above, student and staff ID management, fee schedule management and library management system. This will cost upwards of Rs one lakh. Another application that is ready is the corporate and visitor security. This will cost about Rs 75,000, he says.

V.I.S.A. was launched in September 2002 and PoV is currently in talks with various organisations, hospitals, schools and colleges that have evinced interest. "For some, we are working towards customising a specific need," Sharma says.

Point-of-View Communications is a one-year-old company that has been involved in developing applications for "everyday" business needs. It provides cost-effective business solutions for all industries.

Point-of-View's products include CAMERA (capital asset monitoring, reporting and administration), TimeIsMoney (a job costing solution) and RapidResponse (sales and service field automation solution based on SMS).