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Beyond Tick-Boxes: A Strategic Approach to Attendance Monitoring

On 27th March 2025, Tony Walsh, Director of idXtra Ltd, was honoured to speak at HESCA25, the annual conference and exhibition of the Higher Education Smart Campus Association (HESCA), held at Downing College, University of Cambridge.

With this year’s theme, “Smart Technology for a Smarter Campus,” experts and education leaders gathered to discuss cutting-edge solutions shaping the future of Higher and Further Education Institutions (HEIs/FEIs).

Tony Walsh’s Keynote: Rethinking Attendance Monitoring

In his session, “Beyond Tick-Boxes: Developing Student Attendance Monitoring for the Future,” Tony challenged traditional attendance monitoring approaches and highlighted a strategic shift—moving from compliance-driven systems to proactive student engagement solutions.

Key topics covered:

The evolution of attendance tracking – from ancient Egyptian records to AI-powered biometric systems.
The UK’s legal requirements for attendance monitoring across schools, colleges, and universities.
Emerging challenges, including administrative burdens, student disengagement, and data privacy concerns.
The role of next-generation technology, such as mobile-based tracking, AI-driven insights, and smart ID integration, in enhancing student retention.

Introducing EventMarker: A Smarter Solution for HEIs/FEIs

idXtra showcased EventMarker, a seamless, real-time attendance tracking system designed for modern institutions. Integrated with MIS platforms (SIMS, Bromcom, Arbor, UNIT-e, ProSolution, CMIS, CELCAT, Scientia, etc.), EventMarker helps institutions:

Automate attendance tracking across lessons, enrichment sessions, and CPD activities.
Reduce administrative workload for educators.
Enhance student accountability and support at-risk learners.
Retain funding by improving attendance and engagement.

Case Study: EventMarker in Action

One of the key highlights of HESCA25 was demonstrating EventMarker’s real-world impact. A case study from Basingstoke College of Technology, which uses UNIT-e MIS, showcased how the system transformed attendance monitoring:

Significant reduction in administrative workload for lecturers.
5% improvement in student retention over two years.
Up to 10 minutes saved per session for lecturers, allowing them to focus more on teaching.

By adopting EventMarker, institutions can move beyond traditional attendance tracking and embrace a smarter, data-driven approach that benefits both students and staff.

VisiTapp: Smart Visitor Management for a Secure Campus

In addition to attendance monitoring, institutions must prioritise campus security and visitor management. At HESCA25, idXtra also highlighted VisiTapp, an advanced visitor management system designed specifically for HEIs and FEIs.

Enhancing Campus Security – VisiTapp ensures secure and efficient visitor check-ins, reducing risks associated with unauthorised access.
Seamless Integration – The system integrates with access control, MIS platforms, and identity verification solutions to streamline visitor processes.
Automated Compliance – Universities and colleges can digitally track all visitors, contractors, and staff while maintaining GDPR compliance.
Effortless Check-Ins – Whether via QR codes, pre-registered invitations, or self-service kiosks, VisiTapp simplifies visitor onboarding.

With growing concerns around campus security, safeguarding and regulatory compliance, VisiTapp provides institutions with a smarter way to manage visitors, creating a safer and more efficient learning environment.

The Future of Attendance Monitoring

The discussion at HESCA25 reinforced that attendance monitoring is more than just compliance—it’s a critical tool for driving student success. With the integration of AI, predictive analytics, and smart campus technologies, the future of attendance tracking will continue to evolve towards efficiency, accuracy, and engagement-driven solutions.

Missed the session? Get in touch with idXtra to learn more about our smart attendance solutions.

Contact us: www.idXtra.com

We are delighted to share the highlights from idXtra’s participation at Bett 2025, the largest education technology exhibition in Europe, held at ExCeL London from 22–24 January 2025. This year’s event provided an invaluable opportunity for us to engage with education professionals, discuss the latest trends, and unveil our newest innovations designed to enhance security, efficiency, and convenience for schools, colleges, and universities.

Showcasing the Future of Education Technology

At idXtra, we are dedicated to providing integrated solutions that streamline campus management while ensuring a seamless user experience for students, staff, and visitors. As a BESA-approved supplier and ISO 9001-accredited company, our reputation for reliability, quality, and technical excellence continues to grow.

Bett 2025 was the perfect platform for us to introduce two groundbreaking solutions that redefine campus operations:

1. EventPOS Mobile Cashless Catering System

Our Mobile Cashless Catering System is more than just a way to manage school meals; it’s a comprehensive solution that streamlines operations across your institution, enhanced by our latest EventPOS Tablets – The Blackview Active 8 Pro and Microsoft Surface Pro 9.

Speed Up Service & Reduce Queuing: With advanced technologies like face, fingerprint, and smart ID card recognition, our system drastically cuts down till waiting times. Students can swiftly make payments, giving them more time to enjoy their meals and return to their activities. The elimination of cash handling further accelerates the process, ensuring smoother, quicker transactions.
Mobility Across Campus: Our system’s lightweight and portable design, complemented by padded leather, hand and shoulder straps, allows it to be used anywhere on school grounds. Whether in the canteen, classroom, or playground, the system’s all-weather, waterproof, dustproof, and drop-proof construction ensures durability and reliability in any environment.
Cost-Efficient Flexibility: While primarily cashless, our system retains the flexibility to accept cash, debit, or credit card payments where necessary, catering to all your school’s needs without additional hardware costs. Its robust design and efficient operation make it a cost-effective solution that minimizes downtime and maximizes productivity.
Real-Time Updates & Parental Control: Parents can top up accounts online, with the convenience of accepting debit or credit card payments. Transactions update in real-time, allowing parents to manage meal payments, receive low-balance alerts, and monitor meal history, all from their devices. This enhances transparency and gives parents greater control over their child’s diet.
Discreet Free School Meals (FSM) Delivery: The system delivers FSM entitlements discreetly, allowing eligible students to receive their meals without stigma. This ensures all students are treated equally, promoting a more inclusive environment.
Allergy Alert for Food Safety: The system automatically provides allergy alerts during transactions, helping to ensure food safety and reduce risks for students with dietary restrictions.
Advanced Reporting & Seamless Integration: Gain instant access to comprehensive reports that help you track trends, manage resources, and make informed decisions. Our system integrates smoothly with most MIS databases, reducing administrative workload and enhancing operational efficiency.
Offline Data Synchronisation: Our system ensures seamless operation even in areas with limited or no Wi-Fi connectivity. Offline data synchronisation allows transactions to be recorded and processed once the connection is restored, ensuring no loss of data and continuous service.

2. Smart Kiosk – A Multifunctional Campus Hub

We were also proud to introduce our latest Smart Kiosk, a dynamic solution that goes beyond being just a digital signage or payment machine. This powerful, all-in-one kiosk enhances efficiency across school campuses by integrating visitor management, cashless catering, and serving as an interactive school information panel. It can display event announcements, timetables, staff directories, and emergency alerts in real time. Additionally, the Smart Kiosk functions as an IT helpdesk where students and staff can log technical issues, request IT support, or access troubleshooting guides. This multifunctional solution is designed to be an essential part of modern school campuses, improving communication, operational efficiency, and user convenience in a single integrated system.

Engaging with Education Professionals

Our stand at Bett 2025 was a hub of activity, with live demonstrations, hands-on experiences, and insightful discussions. We were thrilled to engage with school administrators, IT managers, and catering teams, sharing how our solutions can transform campus operations. The positive feedback we received reaffirmed our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.

Looking Ahead

As we continue to innovate, our focus remains on delivering fully integrated, cost-effective, and future-proof solutions tailored for educational institutions. We are excited about the journey ahead and look forward to collaborating with schools and colleges to create smarter, safer, and more efficient learning environments.

For more information about our solutions or to book a demo, contact us at info@idxtra.com or visit www.idxtra.com.

See you at The Security Event at NEC Birmingham on 8 – 10 April 2025!