Hi y’all. I would love to get some feedback on an idea a a recent addition to the company has proposed: There is apparently a new digital data-recording device, a small (key safe-sized) electronic object that is attached to the door of each site being worked on. It records, by use of cards with a magnetic strip (or something like that) the comings and goings of every company member throughout the day. Everyone has a code, listing who they are and what type of work they do. This is all collected and sent to a computer, the idea being to save time and paper, and to keep track of who is where and when. It’s basically a fancy time clock, and that’s part of my objection to it.

We are a small company, one boss, three project managers, electricians, plasterers, a plumber,etc., and a lot of guys with varying skills from hole-digging to finish work. Most of us supes have fine arts backgrounds and could be considered “square pegs.” We do highly customized work and a lot of historic restoration. In my opinion this kind of device smacks of Big Brother/James bond-type gadgetry and goes against our business philosophy: Quirky, unique, but trustworthy and professional. Plus, I think it’s just stupid. Everyone here is part of a family, from the boss to the guy who sweeps the floors. Also, some of our guys do as many as 6 different tasks during the course of the day, and I don’t see how a device like this can help keep track of that. By the way, I’m one of the project managers, and my approach to “underlings” is to TRUST them, not use an electronic tracking device to record their comings and goings!

Am I wrong about this? Has anyone out there had experience with this device? Is it actually a valuable business tool? I would love to get some feedback about this subject. I am trying to be open-minded.