Compaq Adopts Identix's Biometrics PCMCIA Card for Heightened Security in Mobile
ComputingCompaq Utilizes Identix
DFR300 Optical Readers and BioLogon(TM) Software in
Fingerprint Identification Technology PCMCIA Card -- Oct 16 2000
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct 16, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Identix Inc. (AMEX: IDX), a
worldwide leader in providing user authentication, security and identification
solutions, Monday announced that Compaq Computer Corp. (NYSE: CPQ) is shipping
the Identix biometric security solution PCMCIA Card as one of Compaq's
Fingerprint Identification Technology (FIT) products.
The FIT PCMCIA Card equips Compaq portable PC business customers with a
heightened level of security through an affordable, convenient, and easy to use
fingerprint biometric device. Identix's PCMCIA Card can be installed in any
notebook computer, allowing the user to replace all passwords with a biometric
single sign-on.
FIT PCMCIA Cards employ Identix DFR 300 optical fingerprint readers, one of the
world's smallest and most affordable biometric readers. Distributed with Identix
award-winning BioLogon(TM) software, the Compaq FIT PCMCIA card fits any
notebook computer with a Type II PCMCIA card slot and is compatible with Windows
95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000.
Jeff Groudan, director, Worldwide Portable Marketing, Compaq Computer Corp.
commented, "With the increasing pervasiveness of the Internet and the growing
role of notebook computers in business, protecting access to sensitive corporate
data is a growing priority. The PC Card Fingerprint Reader not only meets key
customer requirements for security, but also provides corporate IT help
departments enormous savings in both time and cost by reducing the number of
user calls related to lost or missing passwords."
"Compaq and Identix launched commercial biometrics for the IT industry," said
Grant Evans, Identix executive vice president. "Our introduction of biometric
security to IT markets in 1998, through our first peripheral FIT readers for
desktop PCs, broke then existing price and size barriers, while providing a
convenient and cost-effective heightened security solution. Our vision and early
assessment of the value of positive user identification and heightened security
for IT applications has proven to be profoundly correct. As the recognition of
the need for biometrics security continues to grow across small and large
enterprises," Evans continued, "we expect that Compaq and Identix will continue
to develop far-sighted, far-reaching security solutions to meet both immediate
and evolving needs."
Using the FIT PC Card
The retractable PCMCIA Card device uses a tiny camera in the DFR 300 readers to
convert a fingerprint image to a "map" that is unique to the user. The map or
data is encrypted and stored, allowing users to logon securely and privately in
a process that takes mere seconds. A mobile user simply presses the side of the
PCMCIA card FIT device and the fingerprint reader slides out, exposing the small
DFR 300 sensor.
The user places a finger on the sensor and the fingerprint data is positively
and securely matched to a previously enrolled account. When done, the user just
presses the reader back into the PCMCIA Card and continues working -- no
external cables are required, the device is completely self-contained inside the
PCMCIA Card.
Identix's PCMCIA card with BioLogon software delivers fast, accurate and
convenient device and data locking with fingerprint biometrics technology from
Identix. BioLogon provides a range of functionality, including: stand-alone and
network logon, remote network user authentication logon, and multi-factor
security for use with smart cards or e-signatures.
Compaq plans to feature more information about biometrics security and the FIT
PCMCIA Card at Compaq's Web site at
idea700/products/notebooks/security.html. The Identix Web site,
www.identix.com provides more information about biometrics security, PC Card
technology and availability of Identix biometric products worldwide.
About Identix
Identix Inc., www.Identix.com, is a leader in designing, developing,
manufacturing and marketing products for the capture and/or comparison of
fingerprints for security, anti-fraud, law enforcement, physical access and
other applications. Identix designs and develops proprietary, cost-effective,
security products and solutions for personal identification and verification.
Identix, which recently launched itrust(TM) for Internet and wireless Web secure
transaction processing, provides a wide range of applications to markets that
include corporate enterprise security, Intranet, extranet, and Internet,
wireless Web access and security, E-commerce, government and law enforcement
agencies.
Identix's partners include Motorola (NYSE: MOT), Compaq (NYSE: CPQ), Key Tronic
(Nasdaq: KTCC), SCM Micro (Nasdaq: SCMM), Cherry GmbH (Nasdaq: CHER) and Unisys
(NYSE: UIS).
The statements in this release that relate to future plans, events or
performance are forward-looking statements that reflect the company's current
expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic
conditions. Such statements are made in reliance on the safe harbor provisions
of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The
company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Such risks and
uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated
with: development of the marketplace for biometrics solutions; demand for the
company's products and services; the ability of the company's alliances to
succeed and in particular, the ability of the company to complete product
development, successfully manufacture its products in volume and broadly
disseminate the company's products; and other risks as identified in the
company's SEC filings. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to
publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or
circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events.