"Buddy punching", the term for employees entering false clock in times for each other, is a problem that many organizations face but are often unable to prove it. Through biometrics Budgens has introduced technology which recognises the fingerprints of each employee, something that cannot be faked. This has helped the high street retailer clamp down and save a significant amount. Nucleus Research found that 74 percent of organizations experience payroll losses directly related to buddy punching. Biometric terminals eliminate buddy punching, which, for an organisation with 5,000 employees, can account for more than $4 million annually.

Currently six Budgens stores have been involved in the pilot. However the scheme has proved to be so successful, there are immediate plans to expand to another twenty stores in the next few weeks.

"Like most organisations, we knew we had a problem with buddy punching, but we had no way to prove it," states Utpal Patel, Director of Erongrove Ltd, the company behind the franchising of two of the Budgens stores involved in the pilot. Based in Woking and Parsons Green the two stores have a combined staff of twenty-five employees, of which the financial repercussions are substantial. Through the biometric system Erongrove are saving £10,000 a year, money that can be of significant use elsewhere. The benefits of the installed Touch ID terminals across its organization overcome the issue of buddy punching, whilst providing further financial stability for Erongrove. The future could be bright for companies if the biometric pilot goes nationwide; "With the biometric technology we are able to ensure we are getting work for the hours we're paying and that our budget money is being spent on investment in the stores," continues Patel.

While employee-self service is typically reserved for professional workers, many organisations are providing this functionality across a wide range of enterprises. These organisations have found that providing their entire workforce, including hourly employees, with a self-service functionality that was once reserved only for those with access to a PC improves: efficiency, increased productivity, and enhanced employee satisfaction and retention.