A Hampshire school which has installed a modern electronic reception system is urging other educational establishments to follow suit.
The 1,000-pupil Miltoncross Academy in Portsmouth has been using the pioneering e-Reception Book by LEADR app since June.
The system, created by Hampshire-based innovative digital agency MediaBase Direct, is a digital alternative to the traditional, non-compliant visitors’ book.
The easily-installed and customisable, tablet-based, fully confidential e-Reception Book streamlines the signing-in process and enhances the visitor experience.
Miltoncross business director Chris Purnell said: “I wouldn’t hesitate to absolutely recommend the system to other schools. It has been a real revelation to us and has transformed the way our reception operates.
“As you can imagine – with 1,000 students, 112 permanent staff, many other workers and dozens of visitors daily – our reception area is an exceptionally busy place.
“All staff use the system to sign in and out so I know my staff list is always up to date and visitors – who can easily see our fire and health and safety regulations – are also monitored.”
The purpose-built school in Milton, part of the Kemnal Academies Trust, opened in 2000 and is a fully inclusive school for 11 to 16-year-olds. It is also on a very large site.
Chris added: “Our geography means that one of the very best aspects of e-Reception Book is that when visitors sign in the system fires off an automatically-generated email to the person they are due to visit.
“That is a godsend to our very busy receptionists who in the past would have to ring that person – and if they didn’t pick up would face a lengthy trek to alert them, leaving other visitors waiting.
“The e-Reception Book ticks every box for me – data protection laws, fire regulations and visitor monitoring – and it is also much more affordable than other systems on the market.”
Chris said there were a few initial teething problems, mostly to do with interfacing with the school’s IT system firewall, but the MBD team were immediately on site with solutions.
The app – available in three different versions – invites visitors to sign in, and then sends a welcome email with vital, customisable data such as fire and safety information. After the visitor signs out a ‘thank you for coming’ email is generated.
MBD head of product Daniel Jain said: “Our e-Reception Book is indispensible for schools because it is vital such establishments know exactly who is in the building at any time.
“It also captures data in a fully compliant way and is wholly opt-in friendly. It is fully-customisable and we can make it fit exactly our clients’ needs. For instance, a large college would use it in a different way to a smallish first school.”
MBD, based in London and Segensworth, Hampshire, has been delivering database and digital solutions for more than 21 years.
The firm builds, design and develop mobile and web based products and solutions for a wide range of clients.
- MediaBase Direct is a digital agency based in the Hampshire and London that builds, designs and develops products for a wide range of clients.
The company has been delivering database and digital solutions for over 20 years and clients include TML Accounting, Oxford Innovation, Little Brook House, Arena Business Centres, Chesterfield Gardens and Bramsdon & Childs Solicitors.
Regional office: Lancaster Court, 8 Barnes Wallis Road, Segensworth, Hampshire, PO15 5TU.
London office: Gable House, 18-24 Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick, London, W4 1QP
News release issued by:
Cliff Moore, account director
Deep South Media Ltd. Mobile: 07469 158458 Office: 01202 534487
