Print this pageOct. 18, 2004 –Wall, NJ – BIO-key International Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: BKYI), the leader in finger-based biometric identification and wireless public safety solutions, has joined with identiMetrics, Inc., a provider of fingerprint biometric identification solutions for schools, to implement an identification solution in the school cafeterias in Wood County, West Virginia.
Wood County has installed the identiMetrics software platform, id entiFi ä , a comprehensive biometric fingerprint identification and security platform that utilizes BIO-key's WEB-key technology to provide quick and positive identification of students for secure entrance to schools, classroom attendance, cafeteria and library account access and medication distribution in the nurse's office.
The power of BIO-key's WEB-key technology combined with the versatility of identiMetrics' software platform identiFi ä e liminates the cost and administration of issuing and replacing lost, stolen or forgotten student ID cards or PINs. Student privacy is ensured because the actual fingerprint is never stored. And a student is enrolled only once, no matter how many applications a school may wish to utilize.
“Our schools were begging for a more accurate method of identifying and tracking our students than the existing card system in place,” said Beverly Blough, Director of Food Service in the Wood County School District. By using id entiFi TM from id entiMetrics in our food services operations, we no longer have to worry about students losing or destroying their cards. Students won't be forced to stand at the end of the lunch line and teachers won't have to worry about typing in a nine-digit lunch code for a student. It will simplify the entire process and allow the teachers and administrators to concentrate on what is really important ... the students themselves." Blough also said that the program may be expanded in the future to other areas of the schools, such as libraries, nurse's offices and even to help classroom teachers take roll.
In order to identify students, a biometric fingerprint reader quickly scans the fingerprint as the students move through the lunch line. A series of identification points, such as distinctive loops and whorls within a fingerprint, are converted into a numerical code that accesses the student's account. The scanning process takes less than a second to complete and a student can be enrolled into the system in about 10 seconds. The actual fingerprints are not stored in the school's system and will not provide any personal data about the students. Fingerprints cannot be reconstructed from the stored template.
“We are thrilled to be working with Beverly and the Wood County schools”, said Dr. Raymond J. Fry, President and CEO of identiMetrics. “By using BIO-key's WEB-technology as a part of our id entiFi TM platform, we are able to provide cost-effective biometric fingerprint identification solutions for schools.”
“The BIO-key technology combined with id entiFi TM allows the schools' administrators to strike a perfect balance between the important factors of speed, service, convenience, accuracy and privacy,” said BIO-key CEO Mike DePasquale. “This is another testament to the rapid adoption of our solutions across our commercial customer base.”
BIO-key develops and delivers advanced identification solutions and information services to law enforcement departments, public safety agencies, government and private sector customers. BIO-key's mobile wireless technology provides first responders with critical, reliable, real-time data and images from local, state and national databases. BIO-key's high-performance, scalable, cost-effective and easy-to-deploy biometric finger identification technology accurately identifies and authenticates users of wireless and enterprise data to improve security, convenience and privacy as well as reducing identity theft. More than 2,500 police, fire and emergency services departments in North America are using BIO-key solutions, making BIO-key the leading supplier of mobile and wireless solutions for public safety worldwide. http://www.bio-key.com
About identiMetrics
identiMetrics, Inc, a privately held company headquartered in Malvern, PA, is a leader in the development, integration and marketing of biometric fingerprint identification solutions. Acknowledged as best in class, id entiMetrics develops, integrates and markets security, identification, and tracking biometric hardware and software products for the education market. The products are biometric fingerprint identification replacements for swipe card readers, bar code readers and PIN pads that allow for quick and positive identification in the classroom, cafeteria, library, nurse's office and for secure entrance to schools. The mission is to provide a safe and secure environment in which all students can enjoy learning; the goal is to make biometrics a value in the education marketplace. For more information visit www.identimetrics.net.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected on the basis of these statements. The words “estimate,” “project,” “intends,” “expects,” “believes” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management pursuant to the “safe-harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For a more complete description of these and other risk factors that may affect the future performance of BIO-key International, see “Risk Factors” in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company also undertakes no obligation to disclose any revision to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
For more information, contact:
Albert Maruggi
651-695-0174
Forward-Looking Statements: Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance due to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including but not limited to, technical risks associated with new technology development, market acceptance of our product, competition and technological change.
For further information:
Please contact: Raymond J. Fry, Chief Executive Officer
610-993-9042 Voice
610-993-8463 Fax
jayfry@identimetrics.net