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Imprivata snaps up ailing IdentiPHI
BUSINESS WATCH acquisition
C O M PA N Y N E W S UÊ BAM Plant, part of the Royal BAM Group, has announced its partnership with biometric consultancy, Human Recognition Systems (HRS). The two companies are working together to roll out HRS’ biometric access control MSite solution to BAM Construction in an effort to improve the efficiency of reporting procedures and manage costs more effectively. MSite is a reporting software package integrated into a customised biometric access control system. The MSite solution allows for centralised reporting, enabling the contractor to raise real-time muster reports, time and attendance reports for contractors or individuals, CSCS audit reports, with expiry alerts, and attendance or absentee lists for any given period. UÊ BIO-key has been granted a patent for its Trusted Biometric Device security solution. This patent, US Patent Number 7502938, protects the privacy of the user and provides enhanced security organizations performing user identity authentication. It covers the transmission of information from the point the information is collected at the biometric reader until the data reaches the computer or device that is authenticating the user’s identity. This is the latest in a series of patents granted to BIO-key that secure the biometric template, the communications of the template and the processes handling the identity transaction. UÊ / iÊEuropean Biometric Forum (EBF) has announced that it has recently signed two EU Framework 7 contracts. The CRESCENDO Project (Coordination action on Risks, Evolution of threatS and Context assessment by an Enlarged Network for an r&D rOadmap) is a 24-month project, which builds on the experience of the PASR SeNTRE and STACCATO networks of users and experts. It hopes to improve the innovation process and to strengthen European competitiveness by closing the loop between academia and industry. The RISE Project (Rising pan European and International Awareness of Biometrics and Security Ethics) is a 36 month CSA (coordinating) project, which aims to promote pan European and International Awareness on Ethical Aspects of Biometrics and Security Technologies.
6
Biometric Technology Today
Motorola acquisition now finalised
S
AFRAN – through its wholly owned subsidiary, Sagem Sécurité – has finalised its acquisition of Motorola’s biometric business unit, including the Printrak trademark. The completion of this transaction means that the world’s four big AFIS players have now become three – Sagem, NEC and Cogent Systems. Jean-Paul Herteman, CEO of SAFRAN earlier commented: “This acquisition enables Sagem Securite to strengthen its position in the US market for homeland security.” That said, Sagem Sécurité is already present in the US through Sagem Morpho, which develops and sells secure identification systems incorporating various biometric technologies including fingerprint, palm prints, iris and facial recognition either through OEM relationships with major US integrators such as Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, or through its own direct relationships with customers. Motorola had wanted to sell its biometrics business in order to focus on its main area of strength – delivering communications solutions for government, public safety and commercial customers. Analysts believe that the sale of Motorola could have a short term benefit for NEC and Cogent as there is now one less competitor in the market. In particular, it could be of help in the European market. Cogent has been putting more resources into Europe as of late, analysts say, and is now the clear number two on the continent. The transaction is believed to be valued at US$187 million.
acquisition
Imprivata snaps up ailing IdentiPHI
I
mprivata, a company providing employee access management solutions, has acquired the assets of IdentiPHI, including its SAFsolution product line, intellectual property and biometric patents. IdentiPHI’s solution effectively replaces password-based access to Windows systems with biometric or smart-card-based access. IdentiPHI, founded in 2005, filed for
Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February this year. In its bankruptcy petition, the company listed assets of more than US$3 million and liabilities of nearly US$5 million. According to the filing, the company had more than 60 000 shares of outstanding common stock held by 9000 shareholders. Last year IdentiPHI merged with Saflink Corp., itself a biometric security company on the verge of collapse. This deal made IdentiPHI a public company and saw it acquire several patents surrounding the use of fingerprint, eye and facial recognition technology for access to computers and networks. According to media reports, executives at IdentiPHI had projected revenue of US$15 million for 2008. Instead, the company reported net losses of nearly $7 million that year. The company employed about 17 workers. No financial terms of the deal were disclosed, but according to Imprivata, IdentiPHI’s identity and access management assets complement Imprivata’s OneSign platform, including its Authentication Management capability, in order to provide customers greater flexibility in their strong authentication options. Omar Hussain, president and CEO of Imprivata, said: “We look forward to working closely with IdentiPHI customers to ensure a smooth transition and to cultivate a strong relationship moving forward.”
capital
AOptix Technologies raises US$12.9 million
A
Optix Technologies, a developer of advanced iris recognition systems and ultra-high bandwidth wireless optical communication solutions, has announced the close of a US$12.9 million dollar financing round led by Northgate Capital of Danville, CA. Participation in the round also included venture capital firms, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Clearstone Venture Partners, DAG Ventures, W Capital Partners and Lehman Brothers. The company said it is building new products for emerging iris biometric and wireless optical transmission markets. As detailed in Btt last month, AOptix is currently in production and launch of the company’s first commercial product release for the iris biometrics market, the InSight 2 Meter Iris Recognition System. Recent defense contract wins have also accelerated the company’s free space optical (FSO) communications division.
April 2009
C O M PA N Y N E W S UÊ BAM Plant, part of the Royal BAM Group, has announced its partnership with biometric consultancy, Human Recognition Systems (HRS). The two companies are working together to roll out HRS’ biometric access control MSite solution to BAM Construction in an effort to improve the efficiency of reporting procedures and manage costs more effectively. MSite is a reporting software package integrated into a customised biometric access control system. The MSite solution allows for centralised reporting, enabling the contractor to raise real-time muster reports, time and attendance reports for contractors or individuals, CSCS audit reports, with expiry alerts, and attendance or absentee lists for any given period. UÊ BIO-key has been granted a patent for its Trusted Biometric Device security solution. This patent, US Patent Number 7502938, protects the privacy of the user and provides enhanced security organizations performing user identity authentication. It covers the transmission of information from the point the information is collected at the biometric reader until the data reaches the computer or device that is authenticating the user’s identity. This is the latest in a series of patents granted to BIO-key that secure the biometric template, the communications of the template and the processes handling the identity transaction. UÊ / iÊEuropean Biometric Forum (EBF) has announced that it has recently signed two EU Framework 7 contracts. The CRESCENDO Project (Coordination action on Risks, Evolution of threatS and Context assessment by an Enlarged Network for an r&D rOadmap) is a 24-month project, which builds on the experience of the PASR SeNTRE and STACCATO networks of users and experts. It hopes to improve the innovation process and to strengthen European competitiveness by closing the loop between academia and industry. The RISE Project (Rising pan European and International Awareness of Biometrics and Security Ethics) is a 36 month CSA (coordinating) project, which aims to promote pan European and International Awareness on Ethical Aspects of Biometrics and Security Technologies.
6
Biometric Technology Today
Motorola acquisition now finalised
S
AFRAN – through its wholly owned subsidiary, Sagem Sécurité – has finalised its acquisition of Motorola’s biometric business unit, including the Printrak trademark. The completion of this transaction means that the world’s four big AFIS players have now become three – Sagem, NEC and Cogent Systems. Jean-Paul Herteman, CEO of SAFRAN earlier commented: “This acquisition enables Sagem Securite to strengthen its position in the US market for homeland security.” That said, Sagem Sécurité is already present in the US through Sagem Morpho, which develops and sells secure identification systems incorporating various biometric technologies including fingerprint, palm prints, iris and facial recognition either through OEM relationships with major US integrators such as Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, or through its own direct relationships with customers. Motorola had wanted to sell its biometrics business in order to focus on its main area of strength – delivering communications solutions for government, public safety and commercial customers. Analysts believe that the sale of Motorola could have a short term benefit for NEC and Cogent as there is now one less competitor in the market. In particular, it could be of help in the European market. Cogent has been putting more resources into Europe as of late, analysts say, and is now the clear number two on the continent. The transaction is believed to be valued at US$187 million.
acquisition
Imprivata snaps up ailing IdentiPHI
I
mprivata, a company providing employee access management solutions, has acquired the assets of IdentiPHI, including its SAFsolution product line, intellectual property and biometric patents. IdentiPHI’s solution effectively replaces password-based access to Windows systems with biometric or smart-card-based access. IdentiPHI, founded in 2005, filed for
Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February this year. In its bankruptcy petition, the company listed assets of more than US$3 million and liabilities of nearly US$5 million. According to the filing, the company had more than 60 000 shares of outstanding common stock held by 9000 shareholders. Last year IdentiPHI merged with Saflink Corp., itself a biometric security company on the verge of collapse. This deal made IdentiPHI a public company and saw it acquire several patents surrounding the use of fingerprint, eye and facial recognition technology for access to computers and networks. According to media reports, executives at IdentiPHI had projected revenue of US$15 million for 2008. Instead, the company reported net losses of nearly $7 million that year. The company employed about 17 workers. No financial terms of the deal were disclosed, but according to Imprivata, IdentiPHI’s identity and access management assets complement Imprivata’s OneSign platform, including its Authentication Management capability, in order to provide customers greater flexibility in their strong authentication options. Omar Hussain, president and CEO of Imprivata, said: “We look forward to working closely with IdentiPHI customers to ensure a smooth transition and to cultivate a strong relationship moving forward.”
capital
AOptix Technologies raises US$12.9 million
A
Optix Technologies, a developer of advanced iris recognition systems and ultra-high bandwidth wireless optical communication solutions, has announced the close of a US$12.9 million dollar financing round led by Northgate Capital of Danville, CA. Participation in the round also included venture capital firms, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Clearstone Venture Partners, DAG Ventures, W Capital Partners and Lehman Brothers. The company said it is building new products for emerging iris biometric and wireless optical transmission markets. As detailed in Btt last month, AOptix is currently in production and launch of the company’s first commercial product release for the iris biometrics market, the InSight 2 Meter Iris Recognition System. Recent defense contract wins have also accelerated the company’s free space optical (FSO) communications division.
April 2009