Technology Advances - Biometrics

What are Biometric Systems?

Anil Jain of Michigan State University says that "[...] biometrics, refer to the automatic identification of a person based on his/her anatomical (e.g., fingerprint, iris) or behavioral (e.g., signature) characteristics or traits. [...]". Biometric systems are rapidly growing in popularity due to their ease of use. They do not require the use of passwords, keys, RFID chip implanted badges, or any other physical item which could be lost or imitated. Instead, they use features that are unique to each individual user (Biometric keys), which allows for quick, convenient identification.

Where did Biometrics come from?

In the 14th century, the Chinese used the first known form of biometrics. They took prints from the hands and feet of newborns so that they could tell them apart from each other. In 1883, Alphonse Bertillon created the anthropometrical study known as Bertillonage. This was the first truly modern attempt to systematically identify people using biometric measures. This system used 11 different physical measurements do identify individuals, with the assumption that no two people had the exact same set of measurements. While this system ultimately proved to be cumbersome and flawed, the basic concept remained alive and well within the scientific and law enforcement communities. This led to the development of several new biometric systems, many of which are still in use today.

Why use Biometrics?

There are several big advantages to using Biometric Systems as opposed to traditional identification systems. The first advantage is that biometric keys are unique to the individual whereas I.D. cards are not necessarily unique. No two people have the same fingerprints, retinal patterns or voice patterns; but there can be multiple copies of your debit card. Another big advantage of biometric identification is that you can never forget or lose your biometric key. Cards can be stolen, keys can be lost, passwords can be forgotten, but your retinal patterns cannot. A third advantage of biometric systems is that they can be universally applied. Many of us carry multiple keys and cards, with biometric systems, your biometric key will substitute for all of them, removing the need to carry so many keys and cards.

What kinds of Biometrics are in use Today?

The most popular biometric system in use today is fingerprinting. Fingerprinting first became a popular scientific method in 1892, when Sir Francis Galton, a cousin of Sir Charles Darwin, published a series of books and articles outlining the subject. Galton explained that fingerprinting is based on the idea that no two fingerprints are identical, or that the odds of such an event are so unlikely as to be scientifically insignificant. Today, fingerprints are a vital part of the identification process and are used to identify government workers, soldiers, school teachers, convicted criminals, and many others.

How are Biometrics Categorized?

Biometric systems can be split into two major groups based on their purpose: identification and verification. Verification systems are the most common. They rely on a database of approved biometric signatures that is prepared in advance. The system compares the biometric signature being presented with the database to "Verify" the person's identity. This system does not necessarily identify someone; it simply verifies that the person in question is in the approved database. Identification systems, on the other hand, seek to determine the exact identity of the person in question. Instead of checking a local database, it may use an international database such as IAFIS (Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System) to determine their identity. These systems are more complex and more expensive, and are therefore, less common.

Why are some people opposed to Biometric Systems?

Some people are opposed to biometric systems because they prevent most forms of anonymity. If widely implemented, biometric systems would likely be networked together into a system that, in the wrong hands, could be used to track an individual's every move. Imagine how many times each day you use a key, card or password. Every time you use one of those items in a biometric system, it creates a permanent electronic record of your activity which could theoretically be accessed by anyone and used to track you.

Are Biometric systems worth Implementing?

Biometric systems, like most technological advances, offer both positives and negatives. The positives include a reduction in identity theft, and crime in general. The negatives include a loss of privacy and a potential for abuse by regulatory agencies. In general though, biometric systems offer more positives than negatives. They offer efficiencies that are extremely cost-effective and useful to the business community in general.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4546003

Are Your Customers Ready for Biometrics?

Q: I've heard about new computer-based fingerprint identification systems. How do they work, and how can I determine if this technology is right for my business?
A: What you refer to is called biometric technology, which measures human traits such as fingerprints, retinas and irises, voice and facial patterns, and sizes and shapes of hands. This technology has been used by airports, law enforcement agencies and assorted businesses for security purposes and to provide access into secure buildings. During the past few years, biometric fingerprint identification technology has drawn interest from the retail sector to serve as a way to identify customers, reducing credit card and check fraud. The technology can also be used in conjunction with a payment terminal to actually transmit payments, which results in faster transactions.
Numerous manufacturers now make these biometric systems. Companies such as Indivos, BioPay, Identix and International Automated Fingerprint Card provide biometric software and sensors, which are then installed on point-of-sale terminals manufactured by Hypercom, VeriFone, Biometric Access Corporation and Sagem Morpho Inc. A few companies, such as International Automated Systems Inc., Keyware Technologies and Digital Persona, offer both the software and the terminals.
Biometric payment systems are most widely used by supermarkets, but they are also being pilot-tested in several fast-food restaurants nationwide and have applications at gas stations and hotels as well. Customers register a fingerprint scan with a store or restaurant and enter their credit or debit card account numbers to set up their accounts. When it comes time to make purchases, customers place their fingers on the sensors for identity purposes and pay without ever having to show their cards. The systems can also be used with checking accounts, where electronic checks are processed through an automated clearing house at a reduced cost to merchants, who pay only 8 to 12 cents (compared to the 54 cents it costs to process a conventional check). Once customers have registered, merchants can also use the technology to keep track of loyalty programs and eliminate paper coupons.
There are a few drawbacks to these systems, including the possibility of a customer being misidentified, which could lock him or her out of the system, or a scanner that fails to scan someone's print because the finger has dry or cracked skin or skin with shallow ridges. Despite these challenges, biometrics can offer merchants a reduction in fraud and chargebacks (disputed transactions), faster transaction turnaround times, easier-to-manage loyalty programs and improved reporting methods.
To encourage customers to use this new technology, some retailers have tied fingerprint identification registration to customer loyalty programs by offering additional loyalty points to those who register their fingerprints. Biometric systems allow merchants to:

• Confirm a customer's identity.
• Offer customers another payment option.
• Verify check history to weed out potential bad checks.
• Make customer payments more secure.
• Offer more efficient service.
• Maintain better reporting methods.
• Reduce fraud because fingerprints are unique to each individual and cannot be forged.
• Provide faster transaction times.

Merchants' interest in biometric fingerprinting technology is increasing as scanners decline in price--some sell as low as $100. The fingerprint scanners are compatible with most point-of-sale terminals. The technology also has applications for restaurant drive-up windows and gas pumps, for automated check-in systems at hotel counters and for ticket-driven businesses such as movie theaters and amusement parks. However, none of these options is likely to happen in the near future--until the systems become more accurate. Currently, some scanners misidentify individuals (for the reasons mentioned earlier), denying them access to the system. According to some analysts, it will take several years for merchants and their customers to accept this technology as a substitute for credit and debit cards and as identification for checks.
When you investigate biometric fingerprinting systems for your business, keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Determine what your needs are. For example, do you need the system as an additional noncash payment option, as a way to identify a customer who writes a check or as a tie-in to loyalty programs?
• Look for units with built-in security, encryption and verification software.
• Don't believe any biometric manufacturer who tells you the system is foolproof.

No technology eliminates all fraud and chargebacks. However, if you want to investigate state-of-the-art customer identification technology, faster transaction times, an easy way to manage loyalty programs and an additional noncash payment option to offer your customers, then biometric fingerprint scanners might be identification and payment solutions to pursue.
Cardservice International Senior Vice President of Sales John Burtzloff is in charge of sales strategy and execution and thus is responsible for managing all aspects of the company's marketing, communications, telesales, check guarantee, new accounts and sales support activities.

Article Source:  Entrepreneur.com

Wi-Fi Enabled Attendance Machines - New Generation of Biometrics

With the advancement in the recent technologies, the biometric devices are also getting advanced in every aspect. Whether it is connectivity modes or operational modes; biometric devices are proving its efficient presence in the market. Almost in every fixed interval, few new things are added in the features and specifications of these devices. These advancements are helping the HR Department to ease their work. Now, every work is done without more stress and hard work, reducing time and paperwork.

Star Link India, known for manufacturing user-friendly and advanced biometric machines which are used for simplified user authentication for various purposes. Earlier we have discussed about the GPRS based attendance machines. In this blog we will discuss another connectivity mode to help the user in various ways.

The devices of Star Link India have multiple connectivity mode, out of which Wi-Fi is one of them. Now-a-days the Wi-Fi enabled biometric attendance machines are in demand and used in most of the corporate companies. They are demanding these devices, as it is incorporated with many useful features which solves the problem of client in various ways.

1. Easier Connectivity: The installation of Wi-Fi enabled devices are helpful in many cases where the availability of LAN is less possible. The Wi-Fi enables devices are also good choice to be used in modern infrastructure where drilling and other processes of installation seems to be a tough task.

2. Allows to change Settings: These devices allow the user to change the setting of the devices from their end without even touching the device. It helps to manage the devices which are connected to a central server without any hassle. In fact, all machines can be locked with a password which ensures security restricting manipulation.

3. Real time data processing: Also, even if the device is connected through Wi-Fi, the data can be processed at the very instant when it is fed. If by any means, it loses the connectivity, the device stores the data and sends to the server as soon as it gains the connection.

4. Cost effective: The Wi-Fi connectivity mode reduces the wiring costs, because at some location the wiring costs sometimes cross the real cost of devices. So, it is a perfect deal to go for Wi-Fi enabled devices.

5. Add/Delete User List: Once the device is connected to the server through WiFi. The client can add/delete the user list in as many devices he wants; only those devices must be connected to the server. This provides a big relief, reducing the hectic work of user list induction through different modes or channels.

6. More Secure: The Wi-Fi enabled devices are more secure than any other modes of connectivity. As in this case, the device is secure with its own password whereas the Wi-Fi is also enabled with WPA2/PSK passwords to maintain the utmost level of security. Only Wi-Fi CERTIFIED devices implement WPA2.

7. Uninterrupted performance: Sometimes few Wi-Fi enabled devices faces problems in its working, but the devices from Star Link tests at different levels to perform at its maximum to serve its purpose. Even at no WiFi connection, the device stores data for almost a month. So, no need to worry.

Looking into above features, one must consider the Wi-Fi enabled devices which will be a good deal (based on cost or performance) in this emerging era of technology. 

How Biometrics Attendance System & Payroll Software, useful?

If you are still using paper and calculator to prepare the salary of the employees then you are wasting your valuable time and missing the benefits of biometric attendance systems. In this era of modern technology, monitoring attendance of each employee to payroll activity has become seamless.

The biometric attendance systems and payroll software are suitable for different kind of setups. Whether you are running a big or small company, a lot of data is generated for payroll processing. At the end of the day, it seems hectic to manage all the paper works and mind-boggling calculations. The manual processing of the time sheets is time killing and there always remains more probability of human errors. But, implementing the biometric time clock and payroll, it becomes quite easier to process the salary of the employees. Consuming lesser time than normal, you can generate different reports for record maintenance.

Biometric Attendance System

With Biometrics attendance system, you can easily manage the presence of employees in office for the work, while keeping track-record of arrival, departure, late arrival, over time and much more things for each employee. A detailed report is generated with a simple click of the mouse. While the payroll software helps to calculate the salary of an employee flawlessly. Payroll Software helps to provide the complete financial information of any employee with ease, including any kind of other benefits like EPF, TDS, ESIC.

Payroll Software System

Different sets of reports can also be generated depending on the requirements like Salary Summary Report, Overtime Payment Report, Taxation report, Yearly summary and other reports. Whereas salary-slips can be generated for individual employees detailing his salary break-up.

There are several benefits of using biometrics time attendance system and payroll software for doing different kind of works.

1. Reduces human error.

2. Reduces administrative cost.

3. Reduces effort.

4. Consumes less time.

5. Restricts buddy punching.

6. Data portability- import/export.

Additionally, these kinds of solutions and systems can also be customized according to the requirements and company's policies. Because some of the systems can easily handle hundreds of employees and some other have limited capacity. So think before streamlining your work force and salary processing methods.

With a minimal investment by implementing these systems in your company, you will definitely help you to streamline every process with ease. As these processes reduces the dishonesty and human error in the payroll process. In study, it has been indicated that companies save up to 4% of their annual payroll by adapting automated time and attendance systems.

StarLink : Attendance System based on RFID

With the passage of time, new technologies are sprouting every day. Our responsibility is how we use it for making our daily life easier. The present era is an era of modern and advanced technology, i.e. Indirectly you can say, it is an era of wireless technology. Wireless phones, wireless devices, Wireless machines, wireless communication....Almost everything is wireless. The revolution in wireless technology eases and comforts our daily life.

Now, when it comes to recent technology, Star Link India is always front of the race in using recent trends in its devices. So, today we are going to discuss the method of marking attendance. This can be done by showing a simple card and that card is known as RFID card.

What is RFID?

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. It is a generic term used for technology that uses radio waves to automatically (contact less) identify people or objects. This card contains microchip connected to an antenna. The microchip usually stores the data or generally it contains Unique serial number (UID), whereas antenna convert electromagnetic waves to electrical power/signal and receive waves from the reader.

The chip with antenna together is called RFID transponder or RFID tag.

How RFID works?

An RFID system consists of a tag, which is made up of a microchip with an antenna, and an interrogator or reader with an antenna. The reader sends out electromagnetic waves. The tag antenna is tuned to receive these waves. A passive RFID tag draws power from field created by the reader and uses it to power the microchip’s circuits. The chip then modulates the same waves using ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) and reader demodulate signals and convert to digital data and in response reader modulates the same wave and tag demodulates. So in this way half duplex communication takes place on the same wave.

Types of RFID

There are basically two types of Tags or RFIDs – Read-only and Read-Write.

Read-only microchips have information stored on them during the manufacturing process. The information on such chips can never been changed.

Read-write tags usually have a serial number (UID) that can't be written over. Additional blocks of data can be used to store additional information about the items the tag is attached to.

How secure it is?

Whenever we use any technology, the security is the major concern that should be kept in mind. So in RFID a cryptography engine is used that prevents from illegal reading of information. Challenge Response Authentication is commonly used to foil repeated transfer of messages between tag and readers, preventing repeated transmission.

For reliability, CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) is used.

Standards and Protocols for RFID

Depending on the use and applications, a number of organizations have set a different parameters and protocols. These organizations include ISO, IEC, ASTM International, DASH7 alliance and EPC global.

Out of numerous protocols and standards we use ISO/IEC 14443. This standard is a popular HF (13.56 MHz) standard for HF RFID which is being used as the basis of RFID-enabled passports under ICAO 9303. The Near Field Communication standard that lets mobile devices act as RFID readers/transponders is also based on ISO/IEC 14443.

Frequency of RFIDs

Depending on the application, three major frequency ranges for RFIDs are there. They are Low frequency, High Frequency (HF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF).

LF are in the range of 125-200 KHz, HF-13.56 MHz and UHF - 850-900 MHZ.

But in our application of Attendance System and Access Control, we use LFIDs and HFIDs.

Now let us discuss, how we use this RFID tag and incorporate with our technology. Basically the information of the employee like the fingerprint template or other information are written in it. After that, any employee can use this card as his identity, only he has to show this to the device installed.

This method is very effective and efficient in the companies with larger employee strength. Helps the Management to save a lot of time and money as well.

 

Limit The Usage of Coffee Vending Machine

Star Link has achieved many milestones in customizing every kind of solutions running any corporate offices; may be access control, canteen management, visitor management or time office software. But this time I am going to let you know about the customization done in "Beverage Vending Machines" or  "Coffee Vending Machines".

There are many companies where certain rules are made for use Coffee Vending machines. These rules vary from level to level, like different for HR, Employees or other staffs. So looking at the same condition, Star Link has customized the solution by authorizing the number of times it can be used. This permission can be given to the employees based on their department, profile or may be individual type. The Admin of the solution is required to allow, the permission though the software.

Each employee is issued a card, which includes his details. Whenever he goes to use the coffee vending machine he have to show the card for identity verification. Like wise the same process can be repeated whenever anyone goes to get the coffee, the number of times he/she is allowed.

The major problem was related to the workers or employees who are employed on contract basis in the companies; for them the companies pay for every service. Though some company faces the problem related to the unauthorized usage of canteen facility or coffee vending machine. Keeping in mind this prevailing problem, Star Link provided a solution which solved it easily.

As we recharge the Metro Smart card with a certain amount which allows us to use the service uninterrupted till there is balance, likewise the smart cards which are issued to casual workers or employees on contract basis, will be recharged with a certain amount for using coffee vending machine or canteen services, paid by employees themselves. After recharging they can use the vending machine; which will automatically reduce the fixed amount of coffee every time it is used.

 

                       

The above solution helped a lot to restrict the over-usage of services. The recharge of the card can be done by the Admin who is responsible to control all these solutions. This will help to maintain the balance record as well.

So if you are also looking to synchronize your canteen services or coffee vending machine, employee wise or department wise; you hit the nut shell. Just browse Star Link India and ask for this solution. It is going to reduce all your additional costs and other extra human efforts.

SMS Module - A Latest Mode of Attendance Inquiry

To know the details of punch-in and punch out or balance leaves or any other information, employees have to contact HR. Sometimes, they get to know about their details of presence and leaves on the day of salary. But, in the era of modern technology and mobile communication, Star Link has developed a SMS module to connect employees with HR, round-the-clock from any part of the world. This SMS module proved itself to be boon for the companies. The SMS module allows employees to know each and every details messages in their mobile.

Initially, few problems were there like – suppose an employee is present in the office and his attendance status is late marked then he might not get to know about this. But with the help of SMS module he will be updated soon even if he is late due to certain reason or if he is present in the office then he may ask about this with the HR. So may other problems have been resolved through this SMS module.

SMS Module from Star Link is the Newest Technology that can has brought revolution in the management of attendance updation in any offices or set-ups. This module is suitable for any kind size of employees. This feature can be enabled through 2 ways – 1. USB dongle which includes 10 digit number. (economical solution for 100-200 employees); 2. SMS gateway through internet with 4 Digit short code (suitable for any size).

Using SIM

Using Internet

                                              

Using Outgoing

For Employees:-

There are two types of messaging services that can be availed by any employee who is registered in Star Link Time Office Software.

1. Event Based,
2. On-demand.

Event Based Messages

The Event Based Messages are sent by the server of the company to their respective employees related to their late arrivals, shift detail, punching information and leave postings. These messages are auto generated by the server which is sent to the registered mobile no. Of the employee. The Exact messages are sent like as below:-

Late Arrivals: You are late by XX minutes.

Punching Info: We got your punch at 09:00am at 01/07/2014

Shift details: Your Shift is GEN on 10/07/2014

Leave posting: Your CL has been posted from 01/08/2014 to 04/07/2014


Once you apply leaves or any kind of changes is done through your account in the StarTimeOffice Software, you will receive an alert through SMS on your registered mobile number. This allows you to let you know the status of leaves you have applied before going on leaves.



On Demand Messages

On Demand Messages are sent to the registered mobile no. Of the employees, when they request for any kind of information related to their working days, leave balance, punching details. To get the related information, there are different codes for it, only need it to send to the number which is registered to get the information.

For example if you want to know about your leave balance: Then you will type in the message box as LEAVEBAL and send it to the number. You will receive the exact message as CL: 20 EL: 12.

Following is the table for On-demand message type:

S.No.	Request Code to be sent by Employee	Descriptions	Message Format (to be sent)	Exact Message Received
1	HELP	Allow the user to know the codes for requests to be sent.	HELP	Monthly Summary: SUMMARY (YYMM) Leave Balance: LEAVEBAL(leave code) Punch Info: PUNCH (DDMMYY)
2	SUMMARY (YYMM)	Allow the user to know the Summary of his attendance	SUMMARY 1406	MONTHLY SUMMARY:- PRESENT=20, WO=4, HLD=4, LEAVE=2, ABSENT=1
3	LEAVEBAL (Leave Code)	Allows the user to know leave balance	LEAVEBAL CL	CL=20
4	PUNCH(DDMMYY)	Allows the user to know the punching details	PUNCH 06072014	DATE-06/07/2014 Punch In- 09.06, Punch Out- 17.36

For Admin:-

The Authorized Admin can check the status of messages sent to any employee, in fact admin has the authority to allows any user to send or receive messages depending on their designation. They can also customize the employee list in the groups (through Star Time Office software) on the basis of departments, section, grade or a particular employee.

Admin can check the following details of messages through their accounts on Star Link Time Office Software

1. SMS Count (Sent)
2. SMS Count (Received)
3. SMS Sent Details
4. SMS Received Details
5. ERROR Summary

Now, looking on to above features you will say that this module is really interesting and will make your work structure perfect, reducing the communication gap between Employees and HR. In fact the work load of  HR and Admin Department will be reduced thoroughly through this service. So don’t wait for anything, simply try to experience SMS Module and make your working environment more advanced and tech-savvy.