Why Build in Digital Ranked Us a Top 20 Contech Partner 2026: Remote Access Control

Long before facial recognition became a talking point across the construction sector, we were already addressing the operational challenges that kept surfacing on site.

We saw construction site operators relying on fingerprint scanners that required physical contact, manual sign-in books that created unnecessary admin, and workforce records that were prone to error.

For site managers…

The problem was never simply access control and the many types of such, it was the time consuming nature of managing access control.

As a company that works exclusively with the construction industry, we knew that every minute spent resolving the likes of attendance disputes or verifying credentials, was time taken away from delivering the project itself.

The challenge became even more apparent during COVID, when shared fingerprint scanners suddenly presented both operational and health concerns. 

We understood that construction sites needed a way to verify workers and keep compliance in check, without increasing supervision requirements and ultimately, costs.

That challenge ultimately shaped the technology platform we continue to develop today and is why we made it in Build in Digital’s top 50 contech partners.

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The 2026 Build in Digital’s Top 50 Contech Partners: Who makes the list?

Build in Digital’s Top 50 Contech Partners 2026 recognises construction technology companies that are working to drive innovation across the built environment sector. 

The list recognises organisations that are consistently delivering measurable improvements to site operations through technology.

We are proud that VIS Systems was included amongst the Top 20 companies recognised within this year’s ranking.

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For us, the recognition is an independent validation of a philosophy that has been at the forefront of our development for years: construction technology should simplify site operations, all the while saving time and money the smarter way.

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Why VIS Systems made Build in Digital’s Top 50 Contech Partners

The defining moment for our workforce management platform came during the COVID pandemic.

As contractors were looking for alternatives to access systems that required touch points, we identified an opportunity to rethink how our workforce access control could operate altogether. 

Rather than simply replacing one biometric technology with another, we focused on creating a fully remote, cloud-managed facial recognition access control system. This system allowed contractors to monitor and manage remotely without requiring constant on-site intervention.

The result was a fully remote facial recognition workforce management platform, designed specifically for construction environments.

What this meant for the workforce…

Workers on construction sites could now get verified through contactless facial recognition technology, while site teams gained the ability to manage permissions, monitor attendance, review compliance records, and control access remotely through a cloud platform. 

These systems in place meant that contractors had greater visibility across multiple projects.

Remote management proved particularly valuable during periods when workforce interactions and site visits were restricted, but the benefits extended far beyond the pandemic and this was always the purpose. 

Beyond the necessity came the utility of the management system as contractors discovered they could reduce administrative costs, improve workforce visibility, and maintain consistent compliance regardless of location.

What began as a response to a hugely unexpected industry challenge ultimately became a long-term solution for workforce management.

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Our Unified Workforce Management Systems: How Our Security Eco-system Works

The real value of our workforce management technology is not in the individual components, it derives from how those components work together.

Our systems work from first to last touch, for instance, a new subcontractor arrives on site for the first time.

Before they have set foot through the gate, they complete their induction online through our video induction platform. 

Their qualifications are then verified using CSCS Smart Check integration, ensuring credentials are validated before access is granted. 

When they arrive on site, there is no need for sign-in books, access cards, or manual verification processes as their facial recognition has already been approved.

Thus, the facial recognition system authenticates their identity, records attendance, and updates workforce records automatically.

All the while AI-enabled safety monitoring CCTV can help mitigate site risks, providing additional visibility over workforce safety and site operations.

Overall, our technology propels our stake in the world of construction site security hand in hand with digital innovation, we work to improve data accuracy, and provide a clearer picture of site activity at every stage of the project.

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The Outcome of Utilising VIS Systems Workforce Management Systems

For contractors, the benefits of a unified workforce management platform go beyond convenience.

Our automated attendance tracking reduces the manual supervision required to manage workforce records. 

You’re able to spend less time processing paperwork and more time focusing on project delivery. Compliance reporting becomes faster and more accurate because workforce data is captured automatically rather than relying on manual input.

Across projects, contractors consistently report improved workforce visibility, greater confidence in compliance records; yet perhaps most importantly, they gain access to accurate, real-time workforce data that supports better decision-making throughout the lifecycle of a project.

When compliance, attendance, access control, and workforce management operate in harmony through a single connected platform, the result is a more efficient and accountable construction site.

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VIS Systems: Boasting A Track Record of Recognition

Our inclusion within Build in Digital’s Top 20 Contech Partners follows a series of industry recognitions that reflect the continued development of our technology solutions, but it isn’t the first nor the last recognition as we continue to pursue smarter ways of running construction sites.

In 2025, VIS Systems was awarded Best Use of Remote Monitoring Technology at the Building Innovation Awards, recognising our work in delivering smarter, more effective remote site management solutions for the construction sector.

While awards are never the objective, they do provide independent recognition that the challenges we set out to solve are the same challenges being felt across the industry.

The construction sector continues to face increasing pressure around compliance, workforce visibility, productivity, and site security, and we recognise that technology will inevitably play a larger role in addressing these demands.

If you would like to learn more about how our team at VIS Systems supports construction sites through remote access control, workforce management, and AI powered site monitoring, our team would be happy to help, talk to us today to find out more.

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Looking Ahead: VISion AI PPE Detection

Recognition for our remote access control is never an endpoint; it is a marker on a longer road. The same thinking that reshaped how construction sites manage workforce access now drives our next area of development: VISion AI PPE detection. Just as we identified the operational strain of manual sign-in books and contact-based scanners, we have been addressing another challenge that sites face daily, the difficulty of maintaining consistent PPE compliance across a busy, changing environment. VISion AI works in conjunction with our 24/7 control room operators to identify when hard hats, hi-vis, harnesses, and other protective equipment are missing or incorrectly worn, flagging risks in real time rather than after the fact. It is not a replacement for human oversight but an extension of it, giving our operators sharper visibility and faster response across the site. As the construction sector continues to face mounting pressure around safety and accountability, we see intelligent PPE monitoring as a natural progression of the same purpose that earned us a place among Build in Digital's Top 20: using technology to make sites safer, more compliant, and easier to run.