Face Technologies, a business unit of Ariel Technologies, has once again lived up to its reputation of being able to deliver highly effective solutions, which utilise the latest in identification technologies, quickly and efficiently following the installation of a cash welfare payment system in Namibia.
Face Technologies was employed in December 1999 by a local company, United Africa Namibia (Pty) Ltd, which recognised its potential, to provide the hardware and software needed to ensure an efficient system for pension pay-outs in Namibia.
Within three weeks all hardware and software had been installed and Face Technologies could start delivering on all the requirements set down by United Africa Namibia. The first enrolment of beneficiaries and first payments were made on February 7. To date United Pay Masters (Pty) Ltd have enrolled over 60 000 of 80 000 beneficiaries and are expected to complete this process within days.
Tania Buckett, sales and marketing manager, says that the cash payment system administered by United Pay Masters will pay out $13 million Namibian dollars a month.
Says Ms Buckett: "The cash payment systems utilise both biometrics and smart card technology to ensure the highest levels of security. This is believed to be the first smart card project in Namibia.
"Other outstanding features are that it can be used from a mobile system or fixed pay-point, it integrates existing databases and payment systems or creates a new one and it is capable of handling high numbers of users. "
Explaining the process, Ms Buckett says a database of the all people authorised to receive payment is received or created, when the individuals enrol onto the system, all personal details such as names, ID number, unique biometrics fingerprints and the photographs are captured. These details are then validated with the ID book or passport of the beneficiary and the information downloaded to the main database.
"This information is then sent from the main database to the card production system. Pre-printed cards are then created, personalised and initialised and the individuals information and template is downloaded onto the smart card chip."
After the printing process, the cards will undergo a stringent quality control check and then sent back to the original enrolment district. These cards are issued via a secure check involving identity verification.
"For payment, the recipient brings his or her smart card to the fixed or mobile cash payment system where it is inserted into the card reader. The recipient will only receive payment if the live fingerprint template matches fingerprint template stored on the card."
If a beneficiary is unable to collect his or her payment as they are bedridden, a family member can be nominated to collect money on their behalf and their details will be stored.
Other security features include an audit trail which is able to generate reports at all times. The system also ensures that payments cannot be made twice.
In addition, there is daily reconciliation of all payments made electronically and auditing information is available to management,
Says Ms Buckett: "The benefits of the system speak for themselves - fast, efficient payment, people are paid on site and they are paid quickly.
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