Germs and viruses, especially during flu season, have often been a concern of physicians and the health-conscious when it comes to commonly used surfaces, but never so much as now with the fallout of COVID-19. Extraordinary measures have been taken to reduce the use of common surfaces when possible, and the keypad is now under greater scrutiny.

We use keypads and touch screens for several things – ATM transactions, purchases, ordering, and more. As we learn more about COVID-19, lingering germs are less of a minor annoyance and now a major health hazard. Measures have been enacted to regularly clean keypads and screens after use, and some have experimented with anti-bacterial coverings and screens, but is it enough? Will COVID-19 finally kill the keypad?

The Rise of Speech Recognition

Some experts believe that COVID-19 may be with us for some time, and everyone is scrambling for reasonable solutions to the challenges that it brings. We have grown accustomed to some types of audio recognition such as Siri and Alexa and other speech-supported electronics. Now, some businesses are eyeing technology that would allow them to forego the use of the keypad altogether. Whether they can afford the options, and convince customers to use it, is a calculation they will have to make.

Finding a Match

Technology to support audio recognition isn’t new but finding the right fit for each environment can be tricky. While some technology allows for clear and easy voice recognition even with background noise, it can be prohibitively expensive. Additionally, some technology can amplify one voice over other noise, but ensuring that it is the right voice gets more difficult. Finally, acquiring the right technology for the business interfaces already in place and at a price point that makes financial sense for the investment can be challenging.

Affordable Option

While some experts consider expensive technology for installation, there may be an answer on the phones we use every day. Utilizing a patented wireless mobile technology, Netclearance has developed an audio recognition solution to fit the future of certain contactless transactions. With sophisticated security measures, it can meet PCI, HIPAA, GDPR, and FIPS compliance guidelines. The best part is that compared to other technologies, this solution is an affordable one.

Netclearance uses a smart wireless technology that, when paired with the right interface kit, can offer a cost-effective option to replace peer-to-peer and peer-to-machine applications. Additionally, the scope of its wireless reach can be customized to meet the needs of the business interface. Finally, the technology has been designed with ease of implementation in mind. It supports a variety of interfaces and can also be retrofitted for easy deployment. Because it can easily fit existing infrastructure, it comes without the need for expensive upgrades or long installation times.

You want to keep your customers engaged and satisfied with your service but balancing that with health needs has also grown more critical. This technology allows you to keep your customers, grow your business, and keep people safe making the investment minimal compared to the return.

Final Thoughts

Being a business owner has always been hard, and meeting new challenges such as COVID-19 can feel overwhelming. While there are expensive, sophisticated options available to meet the need for audio recognition services, the return on that investment is questionable. Now, with Netclearance, there is an option that meets the mark in every way. It is affordable, it is easily deployed, and it keeps your customers happy and healthy. COVID-19 may not be with us forever; regardless, improving the way we do business is always a good thing.