NF Importers

International Harley-Davidson and Ducati Distributor select a Biometric Time and Attendance Solution from Mitrefinch

NF Importers, a member of the Fraser Motorcycles Group, have selected Mitrefinch TMS as their time and attendance solution.

Mitrefinch TMS will integrate with the company's ADP Payroll system and collect attendance data using biometric "finger-scan" technology.

The Fraser Motorcycles Group of Companies originated in Newcastle, NSW, in 1955. The founder of the Company, Norm Fraser, had enjoyed many years of success in short circuit racing prior to going into business.

Fraser Motorcycles are Australia's leading distributors for Harley-Davidson and Ducati.

The company's relationship with Ducati began in 1965. The Fraser Group's association with Harley-Davidson originated in 1984 with its appointment as distributor for NSW. Four years later, the store at Homebush was modernised, creating a motorcycle shopping experience never before seen in Australia.

NF Importers employ some 125 employees in six locations who are dedicated to the sales and service of motorcycles and accessories across Australia.

Most employees themselves are keen motorcycle enthusiasts with some participating at competition level.

Warren Lee, General Manager, and David Page, Group Senior Financial Manager, wanted to streamline their payroll process and had recently implemented ADP payroll - that was phase one.

David explains: "Whilst we had an improved payroll system we were still processing manual timesheets that were faxed to Head Office from six locations and this was very time consuming.

"We wanted to streamline our processes and automate where possible.

"We sourced potential suppliers and invited Mitrefinch to demonstrate its TMS system using the latest biometric terminals for recording attendance.

"We needed a solution that was easy to use and flexible enough to accommodate our workplace agreements and readily integrate with our ADP payroll system.

It soon became clear that Mitrefinch TMS software was versatile and simple to use and that the finger recognition terminals would validate the attendance of our workforce - giving us the accuracy we wanted without the hassle of maintaining ID cards.

"It was a smooth transition to Mitrefinch TMS, within a few weeks the system was "live". However, the new biometric technology needed to be explained to our workforce."

David and Warren spent the time to explain the technology to their staff: "We said: "if you are on time you have no problems, if you are not there we know about it and can cover the situation - simple."

"Many of our employees were concerned about the privacy of their fingerprint template, in particular whether their fingerprints could be provided to the police.

"We explained that we were not spying on them or interested in timing toilet and smoking breaks like other companies and that their privacy was of utmost importance to us and protected (as the fingerprint data could not be used for any other purpose).

"Mitrefinch TMS is also assisting our supervisors to better plan our resources and we have all the information we need on the desktop - when we want it.

"At the end of the week we can very easily interface with our ADP payroll system, eliminating any of data entry.

"In summary, Mitrefinch have delivered what we wanted and I would choose Mitrefinch again.

"The TMS solution has proven to be easy to implement, their implementation consultant was brilliant and we have also been impressed with the prompt system support we have received from all of their staff."