We started scanning in and out about 7 years ago. We also include a sign in / sign out sheet with the proctor as a back-up. Scanning has been a huge staff time saver. Our doctors weren’t too happy with the switch at first but now they roll with the flow. We originally purchased our scanner system from XXX. They designed the software to fit out specific needs. They also took my CE letter and worked it to merge with the data collected. Overall we were happy with the product. The biggest problem we had was our Board would monitor the sessions and there always seemed to be operator error, thus the importance of the sign in /out sheets. We combated the issue of the operator error with the hiring of proctors. We hired college students and their namebadges said their name and we made up the company name “ScanMan Technologies”. Being an “independent company” responsible for scanning, this seemed to be a great help with attendees arguing about scanning in and out. Doctors could not ask a Board member to let them not scan out when they left in a midst of the session, leaving the Board member conflicted. Don’t get me wrong, you will still have the doctor say he has a heart condition and cannot be scanned or I am only going to the bathroom for a minute, or even slipping out the service entrance and coming back soaking wet from the pool. There will always be those few. In 2014 we leased newer technology from Engineerica called Conference Tracker. It is sooooo easy to use and so much more efficient, plus it is economical! You know immediately if the scan did not take place. We had fewer errors. They too have a CE Verification letter you can use, the namebadges are printed from their website with the QR code automatically assigned. They even have the software for the vendors to lease. They lease iPods, or you can use your own iPhone to scan. This is the first year ever that we did not have doctors calling saying I attended such and such and did not get the credit. Another huge benefit for us is we do not have to continually worry about updating the software to implement changes and/or bugs and still have not the scanner work correctly.

We used a manual process for tracking attendees prior to discovering Conference Tracker. When an attendee entered the classroom, the proctor checked his/her official government photo ID. The attendee printed and signed their name on a sign-in sheet which included the sign-in time. When they exited the classroom the attendee signed the sign-out sheet and recorded the time. Each sheet contained the course title, room, class time, date, presenter’s name and the proctor’s name. These sheets were forwarded to the agent in charge of validation of the Continuing Education Units. This system worked very well but required some amount of staff time by the agent in charge of validation of the Continuing Education Units to verify the signatures and number of hours. Conference Tracker decreased the amount of time required to perform the manual process. Conference Tracker was selected because the Board of Examiners required electronic scanning of the attendees as they entered and exited the classrooms.