Sign of times as schools opt for touch screen technology

Osborne Technologies Ltd developed its innovative EntrySign system to log visitors to its base on Fall Bank Industrial Estate in Dodworth.

But the system so impressed customers that managing director Tom Osborne moved to adapt it for the education sector.

A year later, engineers have installed EntrySign at 50 schools and colleges and sales figures have risen by 70 per cent.

Mr Osborne said: "Most schools still have paper-based, and often separate, signing in books for staff, visitors and pupils. EntrySign brings to an end all the scribbling of names, times and other details.

"It's a unique piece of software that uses touch-screen technology to integrate all the health and safety and auditing systems, printing visitor badges for an instant visual check.

"Its administrative side allows staff to manage the system, view live information and even quickly print off a list of everyone in the building in the event of a fire evacuation."

Scissett Middle School, on the edge of Huddersfield, had EntrySign installed last September.

ICT manager Neville Roberts said: "The system is quick, easy to use and produces bespoke visitor badges within seconds.

"Visitors are always impressed when they see the self-service touch screen in our reception area and this also helps to show that our school has a strong focus on ICT from the minute they walk through the door."