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Biometric access control solutions continue to evolve


Cape Town, 18 Jun 2015
John Powell, MD of Powell Tronics.
John Powell, MD of Powell Tronics.

Biometrics for access control has evolved over the past few years and new trends are currently emerging as customer demand continues for increased functionality and user friendliness.

"We have seen a number of important and relevant growth nodes that provide an improved user experience and that drive efficiency in organisations. Commercially viable biometrics first started with the introduction of fingerprint readers and the technology continues to grow in popularity, with thousands of installations adding functionality to pure access control and as a time-and-attendance tool," says John Powell, MD of Powell Tronics.

Powell says fingerprint technology continues to develop and recently took an exponential leap into the arena of contactless user interface. This technology is finding great favour in the pharmaceutical, laboratories, mining, high-technology facilities and banking markets where non-tactile interfaces are preferred for a number of reasons, including hygiene, speed of operation and personal preference.

Morpho's MORPHOWAVE is a frictionless biometric access control solution that captures and matches four fingerprints with a single hand movement. This touchless technology easily copes with dry and wet fingers as well as instances where there are no latent prints. "The beauty of this technology is that allows users to continue moving when passing through access control points. This results in rapid processing of users, without compromising security levels," says Powell.

The Morpho 3D Face Reader provides lightning-speed, hands-free access to offices and restricted areas
The Morpho 3D Face Reader provides lightning-speed, hands-free access to offices and restricted areas

The Morpho 3D Face Reader provides extremely fast, hands-free access to sensitive and high-security areas. The technology is tolerant to both face angles and motion, making it ideal for uninterrupted access. The 3D Face Reader analyses the three-dimensional structure of the user's face and achieves extremely accurate matching, with high throughput. Enhanced accuracy enables a low false acceptance rate and will not allow conventional 2D images to be used to 'spoof' the system.

MORPHOSMART FINGER VP is the first ever multimodal device capable of capturing and processing finger vein and fingerprint biometric data at the same time, which gives greatly improved accuracy with enhanced anti-spoofing capabilities.

The MORPHOACCESS Sigma fingerprint readers have an extremely interactive user interface and provide failsafe security. The tablet-like user interface provides touch-screen convenience, with fake finger and duress finger capabilities.

In addition to these on-site technologies, Powell Tronics also promotes the concept of mobile access technology with its ATOM software. There are three variants of the ATOM software - a basic entry-level biometric template distribution system for Morpho readers, known as ATOM Core; the ATOM Charged module, which has all the functionality of ATOM Core, plus a time-and-attendance element; and the ATOM Fusion module, which has been developed to provide integration with Impro software suites as a full T&A module.

The ATOM software is ideal for use on the MorphoTablet, a touch-screen device running on Android, with a seven-inch display and cellular, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. The MorphoTablet has a biometric sensor - a high-definition camera and a fingerprint reader, for increased functionality.

The Morpho Tablet has time & attendance features in a tablet-like user experience
The Morpho Tablet has time & attendance features in a tablet-like user experience

Powell says the introduction of the Safran Morpho MORPHOWAVE/Finger on the Fly contactless fingerprint acquisition solution takes biometric access technology to a new level. This innovative device captures four fingers with a single movement in less than a second, making it the ideal option for high traffic areas. The system also provides fingerprint images that are compatible with current standard flat and rolled fingerprint databases.

Powell Tronics distributes leading brands from Golmar, Safran Morpho, Synerion and Impro from four established centres in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth. Powell Tronics continues to grow from its humble beginnings as simply a supplier of standard access control systems to a provider of advanced integrated security solutions.

Leveraging its extensive access control experience along with successfully surpassing the ongoing demands of end-users, the company strives to provide current and innovative bespoke access control solutions that maximise utilisation of access security, and provide improved return on investment and sustainable operations. The company recently won the award for the best stand in the 18-48 m2 category at the Securex 2015 exhibition.

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