Down through the ages of post-industrial business, identification name tags have provided a great way to keep track of the identities of workers, managers and nearly everyone else who may be on a particular business site. The use of ID name tags knows no bounds — from physical facility environments to high-tech offices, these simple tools are commonly used to help everyone figure out who's who. These days, there are even more advanced applications of these I.D. tag items, from geospatial data to time-keeping.

For businesses looking at uses for identification tags in their companies, the web offers an array of resources to help managers, owners and other decision makers "think outside the box" for getting ID badge solutions on-site. Readers can find lots of help online with identification name tags applications and uses, including:

1. Press pass and related company name tags options for businesses where employees act as "ambassadors" of a shop or brand.

2. Identification name tags for keeping hours and time, or for charting the course of employees through various separate company facilities — or for extended geo-tracking with new wireless technologies.

3. Security options with employee ID tags and tags for visitors.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get 'press tags' or other employee ID tags for the field

One area that businesses can apply identification name tags to is in cases where professionals representing a company (a newspaper is a classic example) will be out interacting with the public. Here, business ID tags ensure that others will know who is actually an employee of a company and not just an imposter.

I recommend: Create your press passes with badge maker options from Big Huge Labs online. Or get more options creating press passes, backstage passes and identification name tags from BagTags Inc.

Locate options for time keeping with identification name tags

Other uses for business name tags include the regular keeping of hours (and minutes) by dedicated HR staff. The jobs of these people are made a good deal easier with today's linked-in company name tag tools. Many of these supervisors no longer have to page through stacks of paper time cards that were punched in and out at the old 'factory clock.' Employees also get more control by being responsible for keeping their I.D. 'time cards' on them throughout the day.

I recommend: Find identification name tags for time keeping and much more from companies like PrimeMark. For info on the new trend of wireless identification tag technology, check out news from Daily Wireless.

Use identification name tags for building security

Another great application for identification name tags is in controlling and monitoring who goes through which doors on any given day. Security technology has been making leaps and bounds in the last decades, and now, even badge systems are being supplemented with biometrics and new gear, but business name tags are still a vital part of security for many companies.

I recommend: Find out about increasing security with time cards at Security Products. Look for more security I.D. tags and solutions from companies like AlphaCard.

Business name tags are becoming more common in our security-conscious world. Your employees will feel more secure if they know there is a system in place to control who has access to their workspace.

Solutions exist at all price ranges to provide company name tags for your business.

Here are some things to consider when setting up an identification name tag system:

1. Number of employees: Invest more in business name tag systems if your company has a large number of employees.
2. Number of visitors: consider purchasing a separate system specifically for creating photo IDs for visitors if your company frequently has large numbers of visitors or if controlled access is particularly important in your industry.
3. Budget: You can save money if you make company ID tags in-house, but you need to balance budgetary needs with other needs such as security and public image.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Make your own ID name tags

You can purchase anything from simple one-time-use name tag stickers to self-laminating name badges with metal clips, and everything in between, both at office supply stores and at various online vendors. If your needs are simple and your budget is small, this may be your best solution.

I recommend: Purchase many styles of name badge for in-house name badge production at Avery.

Purchase custom designed identification tags for every employee

Companies with employees who constantly deal with the public have been using business name tags for many years. These types of names tags are easier to obtain than ever before because of the Internet. Give your employees a professional appearance in front of the public with name tags that contain your corporate logo and each individual employee's name.

I recommend: Upload your own artwork and use it to create a variety of custom engraved and full-color name tags at Namifiers. Purchase many styles of custom name badges: engraved, laminated, hot stamped and more, from Western Plastic.

Increase company security with employee ID tags

Purchase an employee identification tag printer and make professional identification name tags for every employee. Some systems include software for employee verification (if they left their badge at home or need to access the company computer system from off-site).

I recommend: The starter set at AlphaCard has software, ID badge printer and a digital camera with a stand. Fargo has an online printer selector tool to help you choose the right ID badge printer for your needs. Find discount prices on ID card printers, ID card systems and software as well as supplies to create your own badges at DiscountID.com. Use the online system selection wizard at IDville to evaluate your needs and help you choose the best system, where they also sell a wide range of ID solutions.

Keep track of your company's visitors with specialized software and identification name tags

Employees aren't the only ones who need identification tags. Any visitor to your building should wear an ID name tag to prove they have authorized access to your building. Consider purchasing a specialized system that will not only create visitor ID tags, but will also track visitors to your business, even if you have multiple entrances or more than one building.

I recommend: Buy a computer tracking system that makes photo IDs and tracks visitors to your business at Avery Photo ID or iVisitor.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Track your employees' work hours by choosing a system that not only provides ID name tags, but also creates a bar code or magnetic strip that can be read by a time clock to record each employee's work day start and end time, as well as lunch time and other breaks.

Identification name tags come in a variety of types and styles to suit the most diverse business needs. From standard ID name tags to business name tags, identification tag products exist to fit a wide range of styles and budgets.

Makers of identification name tags can offer the types and styles you need that fit your price range. To be a savvy shopper of identification name tags, you need to compare the business name tag products that fit your needs. As you research company name tag styles, you should:

1. Buy identification tags that are custom-designed to fit your specific and unique business needs.

2. Choose company name tags made from recycled materials as an eco-friendly alternative to standard identification tags.

3. Use security employee identification tags to protect your business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Create custom ID name tag products for your business

Whether you need identification tags for a business expo or want to stock fun ID tags to use for general purposes in your business, create custom company ID tags to fit the unique needs of your business.

I recommend: Stoffel Seals offers a variety of customized window ID name tags that can be reused. Choose your colors and create your logo to design unique business name tags for your needs. Namifiers stocks the types and styles of identification tags you need at prices you can afford. Create custom ID name tags in the colors, shapes and styles that best suit your business needs.

Buy eco-friendly ID name tags

Identification name tag products made of recycled materials are a great way to promote environmental awareness in your business. 'Green' ID name tags are available in a variety of styles and prices to suit your tastes and budget.

I recommend: Buy eco-friendly ID name tags from Far From Boring. They offer seeded name tags and badges made from natural materials that you can customize. Sunrise Packaging offers "green" identification name tags and badges that you can customize. Made from natural materials, the eco-friendly ID tags can be returned to Sunrise Packaging to be recycled when you are finished.

Use employee ID tags for security purposes

Protect your business, employees and customers with security identification tags. ID tags for use as security measures are available in different styles to fit your needs and are an affordable security measure.

I recommend: Order security employee identification tags from ID Super Shop. From holographic identification name tags to magnetic stripe ID tags, they offer many types and styles of security name tags to meet your specific needs and budget constraints. NovaVision offers holographic identification badges at competitive volume price discounts.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Request samples of the identification name tags that interest you to ensure the quality of the ID tags before you commit to purchase anything.

In addition to ordering identification name tags for conferences, training sessions or social events, you may also need more official tags for employees to wear daily on the job or for security purposes. Finding more information on name tag offerings and features such as “hot stamped,” “seeded name tags” and “window style” will enable you to choose the right identification pieces to suit your day-to-day business needs, as well as less official special events where name tags serve as reminders or ice breakers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Laser engraved

Employees of businesses such as restaurants, shops and services industries should wear laser engraved name tags displaying their first name to identify themselves to customers. Look for styles that allow you to add your company design as a decorative and promotional touch.

I recommend: Namifiers offers a selection of laser engraved identification name tags for employees to wear while on the job. Check out the variety of colors, styles and sizes for design ideas.

Hot stamped

Get name tags with eye-catching colors and a dimensional look by choosing a hot stamped creation process. The system transfers hot foil fonts and images to name tag backings for accurate color representation.

I recommend: Learn more about identification name tags that are hot stamped to create designs with vibrant, crisp images through the WBadges website.

Window style name badges

Reduce waste in the event of employee turnover by purchasing window style name badges that allow you to insert and remove the name portion of the badge. The style also lets employees customize their badges with a personal signature.

I recommend: See samples of window style name badges and learn more about their advantages through product descriptions on the Stoffel website.

Hologram ID cards

Prevent fraud and counterfeit identification name cards with hologram ID cards that include an embedded image to avoid duplication.

I recommend: Discover the benefits in options when it comes to hologram ID cards through the product descriptions on the ID SuperShop website.

ID card printer

If you frequently need to print identification name badges for new employees, consider purchasing your own ID card printer to make tags on the premises. Most printers are equipped with software to make adding data, photos and additional information a simple process.

I recommend: Fargo offers an ID card printer selection tool to help you determine which name badge printer would suit your company’s needs.

Seeded name tags

If you're an eco-friendly company, consider ordering green identification name tags made of renewable resources. Seeded name tags, for example, are made of recycled paper and organic pigments; when these name tags are no longer in use, you can plant them to grow wildflowers.

I recommend: Check out a selection of seeded name tags, along with other green identification name tag options at Far From Boring.