How to Choose the Best Live Scan Fingerprint Vendor?

Starting a live scan fingerprinting business requires relatively less capital, making it a popular choice among first-time entrepreneurs. However, due to these advantages, the live scan industry has become highly competitive.

The profitability of a live scan business can vary depending on the location, competition, and services provided. Typically, a live scan business generates income by charging fees for fingerprinting services. Some live scan businesses may also offer supplementary services such as notary and DMV services, which can generate additional revenue.

Before starting a live scan business, one of the important considerations to make is purchasing a live scan system. To purchase a live scan system, you will first need to choose a live scan fingerprint vendor, who can not only guide you but can help you throughout the process of installation as well as after-sale service.

Due to different factors in play, choosing the best live scan fingerprint vendor can be a confusing task, so we thought it would be a good idea to let you know what to look for when finalizing a live scan vendor for your business.

This article will guide you through all the factors you should consider before finalizing a live scan fingerprinting vendor for your business.

Choosing the right live scan fingerprint vendor can be critical to the success of your business, whether you are starting a new live scan operation or looking to outsource your fingerprinting needs. To ensure that you make an informed decision, it’s important to consider several key aspects when choosing a live scan fingerprint vendor.

When choosing a live scan fingerprint vendor, their industry experience and expertise matter a lot. Just like when choosing a mobile phone or a computer, you would expect your vendor to have adequate knowledge of all the technical aspects of what he is selling.

A live scan vendor with adequate industry experience also indicates that the vendor has a track record of providing reliable and efficient services to their clients. When a vendor has experience in the industry, they are more likely to understand the specific needs and requirements of their clients and can provide better solutions to meet those needs.

For instance, an experienced vendor can offer valuable insights and guidance on the type of live scan equipment and software needed to efficiently capture and process live scans. They can also help clients navigate any legal or regulatory requirements related to live scan fingerprinting in your jurisdiction of operation.

In addition, an experienced live scan vendor is more likely to have a proven track record of a diverse range of clients including government agencies, law enforcement, and private businesses. It demonstrates their ability to provide high-quality services across various industries and sectors.

Sometimes, a vendor may be a little pushy for a specific brand or equipment, while you may find that other products have similar or better performance. This is because some brands offer better profit margins to the vendors to promote their products. These brands are generally new entrants in the market or are not as popular as other established brands.

You should avoid this trap of “special price for you” on a particular brand/product and choose your product wisely.

Before spending your money on something expensive, you should definitely check the reputation of your vendor among its customers. This will offer you an insight into what older customers of the vendor think of the products/services of the vendor.

So, how do you check the market reputation of a live scan vendor? The first thing you can do is read customer reviews on search and social media platforms such as Google and Facebook. Businesses, even smaller ones, generally have a listing there. Sometimes, reviews can be misleading as they can be put through digital marketing campaigns. So you may need to read between the lines when checking online reviews.

You can also check with Better Business Bureau. It is a private, non-profit organization that uses a rating system that ranges from A+ to F, showing its confidence in a particular business. BBB’s ratings are explained on its Ratings Overview page.

Last but not least, ask your live scan fingerprinting vendor for referrals. If he/she has been providing good quality products and services, he should not hesitate to provide you with referrals.

There are several vendor certificates that you should check with your live scan vendor before finalizing the deal. It helps you ensure that the live scan equipment your vendor is selling complies with necessary standards and regulations.

The FBI maintains a list of certified live scan equipment vendors and models that meet the FBI’s technical standards. Be sure to check if the vendor and live scanner you are considering are on this list.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed technical standards for live scan equipment. Make sure the vendor and model you are considering meet these standards.

Your state may have its own specific regulations and requirements for live scan equipment. Check to see if the vendor and model you are considering meets the requirements for the state(s) in which you will be using the equipment.

This is a certification for quality management systems. It indicates that the vendor has implemented a quality management system that meets international standards and has been independently audited.

RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) is a European Union directive that restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electronic and electrical equipment. If you plan to use the live scan equipment in Europe, make sure the vendor and model you are considering is RoHS compliant.

By checking for these vendor certificates and standards, you can ensure that the live scan equipment you purchase is of high quality, meets regulatory requirements, and is compatible with the specific needs of your organization.

When it comes to choosing a live scan vendor for your business, it is important to select one that is flexible and easily accessible. This means that the vendor should be able to accommodate your schedule and be available to provide services when you need them.

Being accessible means that the vendor should have open lines of communication and be easy to reach when you need to get in touch. They should be able to respond to your inquiries promptly and be available to discuss any concerns you may have. This can be especially important in situations where you need urgent assistance or have time-sensitive needs.

Flexibility is also crucial when selecting a vendor. A flexible vendor should be willing to work with you to tailor their services to your specific needs. This may include adjusting their schedule to meet your requirements, offering different pricing options, or providing additional services that are not typically part of their standard offering.

Choosing a vendor who is accessible and flexible can help ensure that you receive the support you need to meet your business goals. It can also help to build a positive and collaborative relationship between you and the vendor, which can lead to long-term success for both parties.

When considering a live scan solution, it is important to compare prices from different vendors to find a cost-effective option that fits your budget. This can help you save money while still receiving the high-quality fingerprinting and background check services you need.

However, it is important to keep in mind that the cheapest option may not always be the best. While cost is an important factor to consider, it is not the only factor that should influence your decision. You should also consider the quality of the services provided, the vendor’s reputation, their level of customer service and support, and any additional services or benefits they offer.

Ultimately, finding a cost-effective live scan solution that fits your budget requires a balance between cost and quality. By taking the time to compare prices and consider other factors, you can find a vendor that offers the right combination of affordability and quality to meet your needs.

When choosing a live scan equipment vendor, it is better to select one who is knowledgeable and experienced with the technology behind it. The vendor should be able to answer any questions you may have about the equipment and the live scan process, as well as provide guidance on how to set up operate, and maintain the equipment.

Having a vendor who is well-versed in live scan technology can also ensure that the equipment is set up and calibrated correctly and that it functions properly. They should be able to identify and resolve any technical issues that may arise with the equipment and provide guidance on how to troubleshoot any problems that may occur.

In addition, a knowledgeable live scan equipment vendor can also provide training on how to use the equipment, as well as offer support and maintenance services to ensure that the equipment remains in good working order.

Overall, choosing a live scan equipment vendor who is well-versed in live scan technology can help ensure that you receive high-quality equipment and support, as well as provide you with the guidance and expertise you need to operate and maintain the equipment effectively.

After-sales support refers to the assistance and services provided by a vendor or manufacturer after a product has been sold. In the case of live scan fingerprinting equipment, after-sales support can include technical support, training, maintenance, and repairs.

Selecting a vendor that provides good after-sales support is important because it ensures that you have access to assistance and resources should you encounter any issues or have any questions after purchasing the equipment. It also helps ensure that the equipment remains in good working condition and is able to provide accurate and reliable results over time.

It’s common for vendors to seem very helpful and proactive before a sale is made, but then to become less responsive or less helpful once the sale has been completed. This is why it’s important to research vendors thoroughly and to look for reviews or feedback from other customers about their experiences with after-sales support.

If your equipment malfunctions or experiences downtime, it can cause significant disruptions to your business operations. In such situations, the quality of support provided by your vendor can make all the difference.

If you have chosen a vendor that offers poor after-sales support, you may find yourself struggling to get your equipment up and running again. This can lead to prolonged downtime, which can result in lost productivity, missed deadlines, and unhappy clients.

On the other hand, a vendor that provides high-quality after-sales support can help you reduce downtime and quickly resolve any issues that may arise with your equipment. This can help you get back to work quickly and minimize the impact on your business operations.

Will the vendor provide assistance with technical issues or questions related to the equipment? If so, what is the process for contacting technical support and how quickly can you expect a response? A vendor that offers fast response times for technical support can help you resolve issues quickly and minimize downtime.

Will the vendor provide training on how to use the equipment, and are there resources such as user manuals or online tutorials available?

Will the vendor provide maintenance and repair services for the equipment, and if so, what is the process for requesting these services and how quickly can you expect them to be completed?

What do other customers say about their experiences with the vendor’s customer service and after-sales support?

By taking the time to research vendors and their after-sales support offerings, you can make a more informed decision and ensure that you select a vendor that will provide the level of support you need to keep your live scan fingerprinting equipment functioning at its best.

Your live scan vendor should not only have considerable experience and a reputation for providing exceptional services but he/she should also provide excellent after-sales support for the product if it faces any issues.

The vendor should also be able to explain the different components of the live scan equipment and their functions, as well as provide information on how the equipment captures, stores, and transmits fingerprint images. They should be knowledgeable about the different types of live scan equipment available, and be able to recommend the most appropriate equipment for your needs.

By considering the factors explained in this article, you can ensure that you select a live scan vendor who will provide a high-quality and reliable product and services that meet your unique needs and requirements.