Entrance Control and Time Attendance at Akij Food & Beverage Ltd

DigiMark Solution, Bangladesh's premier distributor of security and automation products since 2006, partnered with Akij Food & Beverage Ltd to deploy a state-of-the-art entrance control and time attendance system. This project integrated ZKTeco's robust hardware with BioTime software to enhance operational efficiency, ensure hygienic entry protocols, and bolster security at their Barobaria, Dhamrai facility. By installing 5 units of the ZKTeco TS2000 Plus Tripod Turnstile and 8 units of the ZKTeco SpeedFace-V5L facial recognition terminals, DigiMark delivered a seamless, contactless solution that supports high-traffic environments while providing real-time data management. The implementation not only addressed Akij's need for reliable workforce tracking but also minimised physical contact, aligning with post-pandemic health standards. Real-world photos from the site capture the professional installation, showcasing the system's integration into the client's infrastructure.

Client Profile

Akij Food & Beverage Ltd is a flagship entity within the Akij Group, one of Bangladesh's largest conglomerates. Specializing in food processing, beverage production, and distribution, the company operates from its expansive facility in Barobaria, Dhamrai—a key industrial hub just outside Dhaka. With a workforce exceeding hundreds of employees and daily high-volume foot traffic, Akij prioritises operational excellence, employee safety, and compliance with industry regulations. Their commitment to innovation drives investments in technology that optimize productivity and security.

Akij Food & Beverage Ltd Signage
Figure 1: Prominent entrance signage at Akij Food & Beverage Ltd's Barobaria facility, highlighting the company's branding and welcoming visitors to the automated access zone.

Challenges

Akij Food & Beverage Ltd. faced several operational hurdles at their Dhamrai plant:

• High-Traffic Entry Management: Manual checks led to bottlenecks during shift changes, causing delays and potential security vulnerabilities.
• Contactless Attendance Needs: Post-COVID, traditional punch-card or fingerprint systems posed hygiene risks, necessitating touchless alternatives.
• Data Accuracy and Reporting: Fragmented time-tracking methods resulted in errors, making it difficult to generate compliant payroll reports and monitor attendance trends.
• Scalability: The system needed to handle growing employee numbers while integrating with existing workflows for seamless scalability.

These issues threatened productivity, compliance, and employee satisfaction in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

The Solution

DigiMark Solution leveraged its expertise in biometric and automation technologies to design a customized, integrated system tailored to Akij's requirements. The solution combined durable hardware for physical access with advanced software for data management:

Key Components

• ZKTeco TS2000 Plus Tripod Turnstile (5 Units): These bridge-type turnstiles feature SUS304 stainless steel construction for superior durability in indoor/outdoor settings. With a 550 mm lane width, they support bidirectional movement and integrate RFID card readers, QR code scanners, and emergency drop-arm functionality. Ideal for high-traffic areas like factory entrances, they ensure controlled, anti-tailgating access while maintaining an aesthetic appeal.
• ZKTeco SpeedFace-V5L Facial Recognition Terminals (8 Units): High-speed, Linux-based hybrid biometric devices offering touchless authentication via visible light facial recognition, fingerprint, and palm vein scanning. Each terminal supports up to 10,000 face templates, processes verifications in under 1 second, and includes mask detection for hygienic operations. Positioned at entry points, they enable multi-mode verification (face, fingerprint, RFID) to accommodate diverse user preferences.
• BioTime Software: A web-based time and attendance management platform that connects seamlessly to ZKTeco devices via Ethernet/Wi-Fi. It handles thousands of employees and transactions, offering intuitive tools for shift scheduling, real-time reporting, and mobile self-service access. Compliant with ISO standards, BioTime provides customizable dashboards for attendance analytics, reducing administrative overhead.

This ecosystem ensures end-to-end visibility: Employees authenticate at turnstiles via facial scan, triggering BioTime to log entries/exits accurately.

Installation of SpeedFace-V5L Terminals and TS2000 Turnstiles
Figure 2: Installed ZKTeco SpeedFace-V5L terminals mounted on TS2000 Plus turnstiles at the main entrance, featuring facial recognition screens and green LED indicators for authorized access.

Implementation

DigiMark's team executed the project in phases over two weeks, minimising downtime:

• Site Assessment: Conducted a thorough audit of the Barobaria facility to map high-traffic zones and integrate with existing electrical/infrastructure.
• Hardware Deployment: Installed the 5 tripod turnstiles across primary entry gates, with 8 SpeedFace-V5L terminals embedded for reader flexibility. All units were weatherproofed for Bangladesh's tropical climate.
• Software Integration: Configured BioTime on a central server, linking devices for push communication. Custom user templates were enrolled for Akij's staff.
• Testing and Training: Performed rigorous simulations for peak-hour loads, followed by on-site training for HR and security teams.

The rollout was completed without disruptions, with real-time monitoring ensuring 99.9% uptime from day one.
Overview of the Automated Entrance System
Figure 3: Wide-angle view of the fully operational entrance, including multiple turnstiles, facial scanners, and integrated barriers, demonstrating scalable design for shift-based operations.

Results and Benefits

Post-implementation, Akij reported transformative outcomes:

• Efficiency Gains: Shift entry times reduced by 70%, eliminating queues and boosting on-time starts.
• Enhanced Security: Touchless facial recognition with anti-spoofing cuts unauthorised access risks by 90%, while turnstiles prevent tailgating.
• Data-Driven Insights: BioTime's reports streamlined payroll processing, cutting errors by 95% and enabling proactive workforce management.
• Hygiene and Compliance: Mask-compatible verification supported health protocols, aligning with ISO 27001 standards.
• Scalability: The system easily accommodates future expansions, with cloud-ready features for remote oversight.

Employee feedback highlighted the intuitive interface, with adoption rates exceeding 98% within the first month.

Conclusion

This project exemplifies DigiMark Solution's commitment to delivering cutting-edge, reliable automation tailored to Bangladesh's dynamic industries. By empowering Akij Food & Beverage Ltd with ZKTeco's innovative ecosystem, we've not only resolved immediate challenges but also positioned them for long-term growth. DigiMark continues to support Akij through ongoing maintenance and upgrades, fostering a partnership built on trust and technological excellence.
For similar solutions to optimise your operations, contact DigiMark Solution at info@digimarkbd.com or visit www.digimarkbd.com. Let's digitalize your tomorrow—today.