What is biometrics?

Biometrics is the method to recognize or verify the identity of an individual based on its unique physiological or behavioral characteristics such as Fingerprint, face, palm, iris, retinal, vein, voice and handwriting. Fingerprint verification is the most established and matured biometrics techniques. We will only focus on fingerprint technology hereafter.

Why biometrics?

Biometrics authenticates an individual based on its unique characteristics. One can consider himself as his own password, which can hardly be forgotten, stolen and forged. Thus, biometrics provides a securer solution comparing with PIN or Smart Card identification. Biometrics can also be widely found in many other applications such as time attendance management.

What are the biometrics applications?

The need for biometrics can be found in most of the security departments, military, government and commercial applications.

One of the major biometrics applications is access control. PIN and Smart Card system recognize the PIN or the card instead of you - it identifies what you posses. In other words, someone can claim that he is you by using your PIN or your smart card. However, a biometrics system with fingerprint technology recognizes your finger instead of the PIN or card - it identifies who you are. It will never grant access to anyone else except you.

Another major biometrics application is time attendance management. Most of the existing time attendance systems are based on smart card. Lost and damaged cards and cheating on the system can lead to huge financial loss to the company. Using employee's fingerprint to mark attendance instead is far more accurate, efficient, cost saving and cheat proof. The daily attendance report can help the HR manager to save a bundle of time.

How do my business and me benefit from biometrics and fingerprint technology?

With biometrics, you can expect:

1. Higher level of security - no one can steal or forge your fingerprint.

2. Lower maintenance cost - no need to replace lost keys or cards and no need to order new cards for new staffs.

3. More efficient - fast, accurate and cheat proof recognition. Daily report is at your finger tip.

4. Robust and reliable - fingerprint techniques had been tested and proven in Singapore since 1980s. It's mature and well established.