New TDS Virtual Receptionist Features Facial Recognition Tech

Dublin-based TDS, a workplace solutions provider, has announced a new “virtual receptionist” featuring support for facial recognition.

Dubbed “V-Receptionist”, the solution is designed to operate through a self-service kiosk or a video chat. It is primarily aimed at streamlining the check-in process for a visitor to a given office, and will immediately notify the host organization via SMS or email when a given guest has checked in.

The solution offers not only access control applications, but administrative improvements with respect to issues like crowd bottlenecks and ensuring reception desks are staffed.

V-Receptionist offers a number of features, including facial recognition and watch list support, as well as temporary badge replacement and even legal document signing, according to TDS. It could therefore prove appealing to TDS’s broad customer base of more than 300 clients, spanning across finance, pharmaceuticals, aviation, and other sectors.

In a statement, TDS CEO Frank Hart framed V-Receptionist as a solution aimed at addressing the intensifying trend of digital transformation.

“The trend toward digitized safety and security procedures continues to intensify across markets, and that makes V-Receptionist the next logical step in our expansion of flexible, customizable solutions for visitor management, access control, workplace safeguarding, emergency evacuation and student attendance,” he said. “With TDS V-Receptionist, organizations cost-effectively progress toward a digital integrated workplace.”

TDS’s use of biometric visitor identification in its V-Receptionist solution echoes its use for visitor check-in in the hospitality industry. Japan-based facial recognition specialist NEC offers a similar Front Desk Assistant solution that leverages facial recognition and QR codes; and hospitality software provider Nuvola has integrated facial recognition tech from Kairos into its own guest management platform.

In its “Industry Trends” report issued earlier this year, BizVibe predicted that facial recognition technology would have a strong impact in the air travel and hospitality sectors going forward, with face-based check-in expected to become especially popular in North America, Europe, and the APAC region.

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August 12, 2021 – by Alex Perala