Smart glasses wearable headsets enhance audit quality by providing live video streams to enhance accuracy and participation of inventory observation stakeholders — Protect health and safety of auditors and reduce risk of exposure to infectious diseases, such as COVID-19.
Audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG LLP deployed a new way to conduct remote inventory observations and is using smart glasses for quality control. By implementing the use of AMA XpertEye’s technology software on the RealWear HMT-1, KPMG’s deployment enables inventory observations to be conducted from remote locations, enhancing accuracy while mitigating many travel and logistical issues, as well as health and safety concerns.
“We made a proactive investment in virtual technology last year that has enabled us to respond effectively to challenges posed by the COVID-19 health crisis,” said Audit Chief Technology Officer Matt Bishop, noting that the Audit practice began piloting the technology with several engagement teams more than a year ago. “We are confident this technology will be part of our toolkit to enhance audit quality and deliver a better audit experience in a post-pandemic environment.”
Inventory observations are a critical step in many audits. Smart glasses and head-worn android devices provide live video streams feeding from the wearer. XpertEye software coupled with the RealWear HMT-1 provides end-to-end encryption for live, high-resolution video and noise-cancelling technology that enables clear communication between auditors and clients. The technology allows off-site auditors to view and interact with the inventory observation in real time, enabling a more efficient resolution of issues and reducing travel costs. Audit teams can direct and observe inventory activities to confirm inventory amounts.
XpertEye, for inventory observations, is compatible with iOS, Android and Windows operating systems. Streams are viewed over a secure network using multi-factor identification.
“We created XpertEye to enable remote collaboration in any environment over a variety of wearable devices. Intuitive tools allow the remote expert to instantly transfer their knowledge to the smart glasses wearer in the field via XpertEye’s secure video conference,” says Mark Fleischer from AMA XpertEye. “By combining the voice-controlled RealWear HMT-1 wearable headset with the XpertEye platform, KPMG auditors were able to communicate effectively to complete inventory counts and minimize travel. We believe this remote audit use case provides such efficiencies, and it will be a conventional practice beyond the current global restrictions.”
Organizations dealing with the continued impact of COVID-19 will find smart glasses save time and enhance audit quality. In one pilot, the team found that a single remote count took five hours using these voice-enabled, hands-free devices compared to what typically would have required a three-day time commitment.