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iGuard - biometrics T&A system launched

Already achieving significant successes the world over, iGuard, the fingerprint recognition access control and time attendance system in a box, has been launched to the South African and African markets in October 2003 and distributed by PowaAccess through selected IT reseller, time and attendance companies, security companies and specialised agents.

iGuard is one of the only products that is Web/Internet enabled, network ready, and provides access control as well as time and attendance in a single device without needing dedicated computers or proprietary software. Ideal for all businesses, from an SME using a single device linked to its network or operating as a standalone device, up to large corporates with multiple units set up across all their buildings and offices around the country. iGuard can be remotely monitored from any PC on the network as long as the user has access rights to the iGuard system.

What makes iGuard so different from other access control and time attendance systems? According to Robin Mowatt of PowaAccess, "iGuard, a fingerprint biometrics security system that uses the most advanced solid-state, silicon-based capacitive fingerprint sensor from Veridicom, offers enhanced imaging capabilities, electrostatic discharge (ESD) performance and improved ruggedness, providing superior levels of accuracy and reliability for fingerprint authentication."

Says Mowatt, "iGuard also uses TCP/IP as its communication protocol, which enables the device to connect directly to a corporate network via standard RJ-45 cabling, without any additional hardware or dedicated computers. This means iGuard can be connected remotely, at a gate or perimeter building, using the latest wireless networking technologies."

"The built-in Web server based on the Linux platform enables all the computers in the corporate network to directly access the device via any Internet browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. As a Web server administration, reporting and access control can all be done simultaneously via the built-in Web server."

"The built-in database server allows authenticated computers on the network to query the information on the device and can retrieve various reports such as transaction logs, attendance reports, time sheets and more via the browser."

Access control

Each iGuard can be optionally equipped with the renowned Philips Mifare contactless smartcard reader. (MIFARE is an interface platform for contactless smartcards and readers according to the ISO 14443-A Standard). With this option, users can use a combination of fingerprint biometrics, PIN and/or the smartcard for user authentication, according to Mowatt.

Each iGuard unit is a small Linux computer that connects directly to one's network, and can be accessed from any PC on the network as long as that user has been given login rights to that iGuard unit. So if one has a network in place, iGuard can be simply added as a device to the network, using your existing network cabling infrastructure. Most other access control and/or time and attendance systems require a dedicated PC which runs dedicated software, and dedicated wiring or cabling needs to be installed in the building for each and every input device that is installed.

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