Choosing a visitor management system: a checklist.

• How many taps from the welcome screen to a printed badge?
• Can returning or expected visitors skip the full form?
• Does the kiosk reset itself if someone walks away?

MassVisit: one short form, name required, the rest optional. Expected visitors type a 5-digit code. The kiosk returns to the welcome screen after 2 minutes without a tap.

• Does the badge show who the visitor is with?
• Can contractors be told apart from visitors?
• Which printer, and which label size?

MassVisit: VISITOR or CONTRACTOR, name, host, date and QR code on 86 x 60 mm labels. The Android app prints to a Brother QL-820NWB over Wi-Fi.

• Is the host told when their visitor arrives?
• What happens if the visitor types a name nobody recognises?

MassVisit: email on arrival and on pre-registration, both optional. Unmatched names go to your reception address. No SMS or app alerts to hosts.

• Can visitors register on their own phone?
• How far ahead?
• Do codes expire?

MassVisit: yes, from a link, up to 30 days ahead. Each 5-digit code works once, on the visit date.

• Can staff use the same kiosk?
• How do they find their name on a long list?

MassVisit: name cards with photo or initials, one tap and a confirm, with a search box.

• What is collected, and what is optional?
• Is your own privacy notice shown and accepted?
• How long are records kept, and can you see or export past visits?
• Where is the data hosted?

MassVisit: name required, other fields optional. Your privacy notice is ticked and time stored. Retention is agreed during setup. The admin page shows today's visitors; there is no history screen or export today. Data is hosted in London, UK.

• Does the on-site list reach the people doing roll call?
• Does the reception screen show anything in an incident?
• Is it honest about missed sign-outs?

MassVisit: the on-site list is shared with Mass Coms roll call, and the kiosk shows the alert, reads it aloud and asks Are you safe? It is a starting list, not proof.

• Which devices does it run on?
• Does it start itself after a power cut?
• What happens when the internet drops?

MassVisit: Android 5.1+ tablets and touch panels, Fire OS, or an enrolled browser. Starts on boot when set as the Home app. Needs a connection: offline, it shows a branded page and retries every 8 seconds.

• Is it priced per site, per kiosk or per visitor?
• Is there a minimum term?
• What else do you need to buy?

MassVisit: per site, 3-year minimum, first site free in year one, then £499 per site per year. Works on its own, no Mass Coms subscription; hardware is extra.