Whitepaper: Innovation in Remote Workforce Monitoring

VIS Systems trailblazed the construction industry with a revolutionary remote workforce monitoring solution, which was shortlisted for Outstanding Contribution to Specialist Construction at the Construction News Awards.

‍

Executive Summary

Developed during COVID-19, our system replaced outdated fingerprint access with rapid, contactless biometric entry, enabling fully remote, cloud-managed construction site monitoring. 

We were first to market, setting a new industry standard for access, safety, and compliance. Our plug-and-play hardware integrates with CSCS Smart Check, online inductions, and AI safety tools, delivering unmatched efficiency, security, and ESG performance. What began as crisis-driven innovation is now an award-recognised benchmark across the industry.

‍

VIS Systems Remote Monitoring Technology: Overcoming Industry Challenges 

Before COVID-19, construction sites relied on fingerprint scanners and in-person monitoring, with no standard for remote, contactless workforce management, our team changed that. 

While others paused, we accelerated R&D and launched the UK’s first plug-and-play facial recognition system for construction.

Our system enabled contactless access control and real-time remote workforce monitoring through biometric terminals and cloud software which was crucial during lockdowns. We didn’t just respond to the pandemic; we set a new industry standard.

With early support from GRAHAM Group, our technology is now deployed across all their projects through a framework agreement.

Key features include:

• AI-powered facial recognition for fast, secure entry
• Cloud-based platform for live workforce tracking
• Online video inductions, saving time and reducing contact
• CSCS smart check integration for improved safety
• GDPR compliance and CO₂ savings via digital processes

Impact for GRAHAM in the past year:

• 30,000+ online inductions completed
• 50,000+ workforce management hours saved
• 15+ tons of CO₂ saved

Today, facial recognition and remote monitoring are construction norms—because we led the way. 

We continue to innovate, adding AI safety cameras for PPE detection and zonal monitoring, all managed remotely via our cloud platform. This technology improves compliance and drives safer onsite behaviour.

GRAHAM says: “A standardised system across sites delivers major SHE benefits. VIS offers advanced features that enhance security, streamline workforce management, and improve how we present our sites and bid for new work.”

‍

The Remote Monitoring Lifecycle: How VIS Systems Promises Start to Finish Surveillance

Our technology monitors workforce activity across the entire building lifecycle—from initial site access during enabling works to final handover. It provides a consistent layer of visibility across all project phases.

Through the GRAHAM Group rollout, facial recognition terminals were installed at access points, whilst cloud software auto tracked who entered, when, and whether they met compliance criteria (e.g. valid CSCS card, completed induction). 

The system ensured all workers on-site had been verified and inducted remotely, improving safety and efficiency from day one.

Remote Online Inductions standardised messaging across all sites, ensuring health and safety protocols were uniformly communicated. This improved workforce understanding whilst reducing strain on site teams. Real-time dashboards allow head office teams to monitor compliance, workforce composition, and site activity remotely, removing the need for on-site auditing or supervision.

Crucially, the system integrates with existing IT infrastructure, including HR databases, time-tracking tools, and security systems. This allowed for seamless onboarding and real-time adjustments across multiple live sites.

With the introduction of AI safety cameras, we’re now extending remote monitoring to real-time detection of PPE usage and hazardous behaviours, ensuring proactive safety compliance throughout the lifecycle.

‍

Remote Monitoring’s Contribution to Efficiency & Improved Resource Management

VIS Systems’ facial recognition platform delivers unmatched operational efficiency. By replacing manual entry logs and fingerprint scanners with biometric, contactless access, site teams at GRAHAM now save 50,000+ hours annually on workforce management.

The system enables full remote visibility, no need for supervisors to physically check workers in or verify credentials. All inductions are conducted online, saving time for both the workforce and H&S departments. 30,000+ GRAHAM inductions were completed remotely in the last year, streamlining pre-start processes.

Payroll accuracy improved by eliminating "buddy punching," while automated attendance logs saved hours on daily admin. The CSCS smart check integration ensured only verified workers gained access, reducing compliance errors and legal risks.

The cloud-based system also allowed project managers to reallocate on-site resources more effectively, identify underutilised teams, and track workforce density to optimise scheduling. Fewer vehicles, reduced paper usage, and improved shift timing contributed to over 15 tons of CO₂ savings annually.

Compared to traditional systems, GRAHAM Group realised over £100,000 in annual savings while presenting a more professional, secure, and compliant site environment.

‍

VIS Systems Remote Monitoring: Consistently Supporting Maintenance Practices

While our system is workforce-focused, its real-time monitoring capabilities directly support proactive site management and operational maintenance.

By tracking worker movement and access patterns, our system highlights irregularities, such as unexpected inactivity in a zone or abnormal foot traffic, which can indicate equipment malfunctions or unsafe conditions. Site Managers are instantly notified via the cloud dashboard, allowing investigations to begin before issues escalate.

Our remote monitoring platform also integrates with AI cameras now being deployed to detect PPE non-compliance and unsafe behaviours in real time. This enables safety teams to intervene before a near-miss becomes an incident.

Digitised logs and video records streamline incident reviews and improve root-cause analysis helping teams proactively adjust layouts, training, or equipment usage.

Overall, VIS Systems transform isolated, reactive site management into a coordinated, proactive approach, guided by live data and remote oversight.

‍

How Remote Monitoring Continues to Enhance Safety and Mitigate Risks On-site

Safety is embedded into every layer of our remote workforce monitoring platform.

With facial recognition, only authorised, CSCS-validated personnel can enter a site, preventing untrained or unauthorised individuals from gaining access. This protects both people and project integrity. The touch-free access points eliminated contamination risk during COVID-19 and are now a long-term hygiene benefit.

The standardised online inductions used by GRAHAM ensured consistent health and safety messaging across all sites. Video formats allowed clear communication and reduced on site induction time by over 80%. The cloud dashboard gives H&S teams remote oversight of who has completed training, entered the site, and is currently active.

Security was significantly enhanced with biometric access and smart turnstiles—making unauthorised entry extremely difficult. Site teams have reported fewer breaches and better access data, simplifying audits and incident tracking.

Our next-generation AI safety cameras now take this further, monitoring whether workers wear the correct PPE (e.g. hard hats, hi-vis) and flagging violations in real time. This allows proactive intervention—even from off-site.

Together, these systems have created safer, smarter, and more consistent construction environments across the GRAHAM portfolio.

‍

Data-Driven Decision Making and Performance Optimisation

The data collected through VIS Systems’ cloud platform informs strategic, daily, and future-focused decisions across sites.

On GRAHAM projects, workforce data, hours on site, job roles and access times were analysed to identify patterns in labour usage, peak activity periods, and potential inefficiencies. 

This allowed for better shift planning and resource allocation, reducing bottlenecks and improving throughput.

Online induction completion data helped ensure legal compliance and guided continuous improvement in health and safety training content. Managers could see completion rates in real time and adjust processes as needed.

Access data integrated with energy monitoring systems allowed sites to better match power usage to actual occupancy, supporting CO₂ reduction goals and ESG reporting. With over 15 tons of CO₂ saved per year, this has become a core benefit of our digital-first approach.

By digitising the full workforce lifecycle, from onboarding to exit, our system supports benchmarking, performance reviews, and incident tracking with unprecedented accuracy. Site performance is no longer anecdotal - it’s data-driven.

Conclusion

VIS Systems pioneered facial recognition for construction, launching the UK’s first remote workforce monitoring solution. Now an industry standard, their cloud platform and plug-and-play tech enhance safety and compliance. Innovation continues with AI safety cameras and analytics to boost efficiency and drive safer, smarter sites.