What is Visitor Management

   

By Abigail Ebenezer-Gabriels

What is Visitor Management?

Visitor management is a system or process used by organizations to track and manage the entry and exit of visitors to their premises. It involves registering, monitoring, and controlling the access of individuals who are not regular employees or members of the organization, such as guests, contractors, vendors, and other visitors.


Key components of visitor management typically include:


Registration: Visitors are required to provide their details, such as their name, contact information, purpose of their visit, and the person or department they are meeting. This information is typically collected through a digital sign-in system or paper logbook.

Check-in and Check-out

Visitors need to check in when they arrive at the facility and check out when they leave. This helps in tracking their presence and ensuring their safety.

Identification

Many visitor management systems issue temporary identification badges or access cards to visitors, which may include their name, photo, and the date and time of their visit. This helps in identifying authorized individuals.

Security

 Visitor management systems often integrate with security measures, such as access control systems, to restrict access to specific areas of the premises and to ensure that visitors only enter areas they are authorized to access.

Notifications

 The system may send notifications to hosts or employees when their visitors arrive. This allows the host to be prepared for the visit.

Reporting

Visitor management systems often provide reports and logs of visitor activity, which can be useful for security purposes, compliance, and auditing.

Data Privacy

 Organizations need to ensure that the data collected from visitors is stored and managed in compliance with data privacy regulations and to protect visitors' personal information.



Visitor management systems can be implemented in various ways, from traditional paper-based logs to modern digital solutions that use software and hardware like kiosks, tablets, or mobile apps. These systems can enhance security, streamline the check-in process, improve the visitor experience, and provide valuable data for analysis and reporting. They are commonly used in corporate offices, government buildings, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and many other types of organizations where controlled access is essential.