Press Release - Computerisation use biometric fingerprints to boost security

A South Wales business software developer is investing heavily in biometric fingerprint recognition technology which is expected to render obsolete many traditional – and vulnerable - ways of accessing buildings, rooms and computers.

Penarth-based Computerisation Ltd is importing a small, Canadian-made optical pad which scans a person’s finger.

The company is developing sophisticated software programs which take readings from the pad and turn them into valuable management and security information.

Because the system can’t be fooled by imposters, one of its key applications is in offices and factories where employees are required to clock in and out.

Once the employee has registered a fingerprint, taking 30 seconds, a manager will always know by a glance at a computer screen who is in work and who is not – even if the manager is out of the country.

As well as doing away with clocking-in, the system replaces coded security keypads on internal doors and makes signing the reception book for regular visitors redundant. Managers will always know precisely who went where and when.

Other applications include cashless purchases in staff canteens – a swipe of the finger and the cost is deducted automatically from the person’s pay – and hire shops, so regular customers don’t have to remember to bring membership cards.

Computerisation, which employs six at Washington Buildings, Stanwell Road, provides a full range of business software development and support services for large organisations such as the Welsh National Opera and the Wales Tourist Board (now Welsh Assmbly Govenment), as well as SMEs.

A person’s 10 fingers all provide different, unique prints. The device marketed by Computerisation uses a highly sophisticated technique which produces an algorithm measuring the total print and is said to be unaffected by temporary cuts, blemishes or dirt.

Managing director Clive Morgan said “We are establishing a new company to market the biometric technology, which we predict will replace outmoded methods within the next few years or sooner.

“It’s all part of the ‘who you are, not what you know’ biometrics and cashless society revolution which is doing away with passwords, pin numbers, codes etc. The technology has been with us for a little while – it’s the bespoke software that it links to that makes it so attractive.”