Visitor Management Checklist: What to Look for in 2025

As businesses evolve, so do the expectations around security, compliance, and workplace experience. A simple sign-in sheet no longer makes the cut. Whether you’re upgrading your existing process or starting from scratch, 2025 is the year to prioritise a smarter, safer, and more integrated Visitor Management System (VMS).

This comprehensive checklist will walk you through the must-have features to look for—based on the latest workplace trends and compliance standards.


Why You Need a 2025-Ready Visitor Management System


The workplace is no longer a static environment. With hybrid work, evolving safety requirements, and increased attention to data privacy, your visitor experience needs to be:

Contactless

Compliant

Customisable

Instantly accessible


The 2025 Visitor Management Checklist

Use this list to audit your current setup—or guide your next purchase.

1. Smart Pre-Registration and QR Sign-In

What to Look For:

– Ability to pre-register guests via email

– Auto-send QR codes for instant self-check-in

– Custom fields for job interviews, contractors, or site visitors

Benefit: Saves time at reception and adds a layer of security

2. Privacy-First Data Handling

What to Look For:

– GDPR and ISO 27001 compliant data storage

– Data retention policies

– Visitor access logs that can be easily audited or deleted

Benefit: Builds trust and meets evolving privacy laws

3. Mobile-Optimised Evacuation & Emergency Alerts

What to Look For:

– Real-time evacuation lists on mobile

– Mass alert function (e.g. SMS, email, push)

– Automatic sign-out upon evacuation

Benefit: Keeps your team safe and compliant in high-risk events

4. Instant Badge Printing with Branding

What to Look For:

– Customisable badge templates

– Logo and visitor photo printing

– Expiration settings or color coding

Benefit: Professional appearance + security layer

5. Two-Way Host Notifications

What to Look For:

– Notifications to host via SMS, Teams, Slack, or email

– Optional message back to reception

– Delegate approvals for assistant-managed bookings

Benefit: Improves flow and avoids delays

6. Flexible Workflows by Visitor Type

What to Look For:

– Custom workflows for contractors, parents, clients, deliveries

– Attach documents or videos per visitor type

– Digital signatures with timestamped records

Benefit: Tailored experience with better compliance

7. Integrations with Workplace Systems

What to Look For:

– Access control (SALTO, Kisi, etc.)

– Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 directory sync

– Microsoft Teams, Slack, or CRM integrations

Benefit: Eliminates manual tasks and ensures real-time updates

8. Visitor Screening with Inductions or Safety Videos

What to Look For:

– Mandatory videos during sign-in

– Interactive quizzes with scoring

– Policy acceptance tracking

Benefit: Risk management for high-compliance industries

9. Analytics and Real-Time Dashboards

What to Look For:

– Visitor volume trends

– Sign-in by time, visitor type, or department

– Exportable logs for audits

Benefit: Make data-driven decisions on staffing and security

10. Security Flags and Watchlists

What to Look For:

– Instant alerts for flagged individuals

– Integration with blacklist databases (internal or third-party)

– Multi-site alert escalation

Benefit: Prevent unauthorised access before it happens

11. Multi-Site and Multi-Tenant Management

What to Look For:

– Centralised admin view for all locations

– Site-level access for reception or security staff

– Custom settings by site

Benefit: Scalable and consistent visitor policies across locations

12. Contactless and Touch-Free Kiosks

What to Look For:

– QR code scanning

– Sign-in via mobile phone (no app required)

– Facial recognition (optional)

Benefit: Safer experience for visitors and staff

Bonus: AI & Automation in 2025

Forward-thinking VMS platforms are now leveraging automation and AI to:

– Predict visitor flow patterns

– Trigger smart alerts based on risk profiles

– Auto-fill frequent visitor data with secure tokens

Look for systems that evolve with your business—so you don’t outgrow your tech in 12 months.

Wrap-Up: Choose Smart, Choose Scalable

A modern visitor management system is more than a sign-in tool—it’s a core part of your workplace safety and experience strategy. By checking off these 2025-ready features, you’ll ensure your organisation is:

✅ Compliant
✅ Efficient
✅ Scalable
✅ Secure