FS50 FIPS 201/PIV Compliant Two Finger Scanner USB Fingerprint Scanner is a coming of age access control device from Futronic, a global provider of fingerprint recognition hardware and software. The USP of this fingerprint reader is that it can scan both single and dual flat fingerprints as well as single rolled fingerprints.

This FBI certified and US General Services Administration approved fingerprint scanner boasts of meeting the US Federal Information Processing Standard 201 (FIPS 201) for Personal Identification Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and Contractors. On top of that, being PIV-071006 Image Quality Specifications compliant, Futronic FS50 fingerprint scanner has become the preferred fingerprint scanner for many identification and verification applications.

Apart from its use in criminal identification, the scanner finds extensive application in many high-traffic access control systems-border control, election, identity card, driver license, e-passport etc. With a sensor resolution of 500 dpi and image size of 800×750 pixels, the fingerprint scanner ensures high quality images almost devoid of distortions. Another feature that makes the Futronic FS50 stand out from other similar biometric devices is the infra-red illumination which ensures improved images for wet, dry, blurred, or scarred fingerprint samples.

The sturdy physical features are the other high points of the Futronic FS50 fingerprint scanner. The rugged optical sensor consists of a thick 33mm crown glass prism with anti-scratch coating. The robust built of the device makes it suitable for heavy duty usage in both indoor and outdoor environments. The operating temperature lies in the range of -10 degree Celsius to +55 degree Celsius.

Futronic FS50 can be easily integrated into most professional systems as it supports all leading OS–Windows 2000/20003/XP/Vista/7 (both 32 bit and 64 bit), Linux with kernel 2.4 or after (for both x86 and ARM9) and MAC OS. Also, to ensure quick data transfer a 2M standard USB Cable comes with the scanner as part of the product package. A factory-programmed unique serial number checks unauthorized use of the device. All in all, the FS50 FIPS 201/PIV Compliant Two Finger Scanner USB Fingerprint Scanner meets all the pre-requisites of an advanced fingerprint scanner and leaves little room for complaints.

Among many things that Internet has revolutionized, business transaction is one. With most transactions being made through the World Wide Web these days, electronic signatures are fast replacing their paper equivalents.

The US Code defines an electronic signature as “an electronic sound, symbol, or process, attached to or logically associated with a contract or other record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.” But keeping concerns about signature forging in mind, a more reliable form of electronic signature has been developed known as biometric signature. Biometric signature is a signature taken on a biometric device and digitalized throughout the writing process. Instead of replacing a handwritten signature with a scanned version of the paper containing the signature, a biometric signature is digitalized during the signing process itself. The biometric device used in the process is generally a pen pad, an electronic signature pad or a tablet PC.

Biometric signatures find extensive application in banking transactions. They help consumers save valuable time and facilitate processes such as e-banking, e-mortgage, and online loan applications and approval. Moreover to further legalize transactions through electronic signatures, most banks use electronic signature software such as a signature verification system. This ensures that the e-documents containing e-signatures are legally binding.

But in spite of the measures being taken, electronic signatures continue to remain a disputable issue. The problems originate since most existing laws concerning electronic signatures were created in the mid-90s when an electronic signature pad was still unthinkable. But with the growing popularity of e-commerce and the increasing prevalence of online transactions, the need to amend such laws to include issues regarding electronic signatures taken through a biometric device has become imperative. As a result most countries, today, have included laws relating to electronic signature and electronic signature software into their constitution. This has boosted the use of digital and electronic signatures in the banking sectors. Moreover, with advancement in the technology, high-end electronic signature pads ensure the capture of high- quality cryptographic digital signatures. Such electronic signatures have the same integrity, authenticity and non-repudiation of on-paper signatures.

Fingerprint readers, or scanners, are the most popular and most common form of biometric security devices used. Biometric fingerprint reader consists of an automated method of recognizing a person based on unique physical characteristic which is his fingerprint. Each type of biometric fingerprint reader system is different in application and consists of at least one similarity. Here the biometric is based upon a distinguishable human attribute which is a person’s fingerprint. Although there are biometric systems based on iris, facial pattern and even voice pattern.

Today fingerprint reader devices are by far the most popular form of biometric security used. There are a variety of systems available in the market which is intended for general and mass market usage. Huge bulky fingerprint scanners are a thing of the past. USB Fingerprint readers are now replacing them gradually. Now a fingerprint scanning device can be small enough to be incorporated into a laptop for security.

Fingerprint scanning essentially provides an identification of a person based on the acquisition and recognition of those unique patterns and ridges in a fingerprint. The biometric fingerprint reader’s identification process will change slightly between products and systems. The basis of identification is usually nearly the same. Standard systems are comprised of a sensor for scanning a fingerprint and a processor which stores the fingerprint database and software which compares and matches the fingerprint to the predefined database. Within the database, a fingerprint is usually matched to a reference number, or PIN number which is then matched to a person’s name or account.

In large corporations especially banks, biometrics plays a huge role in employee identification and security. Many data centers have jumped on the bandwagon and have implemented biometric fingerprint readers to enhance remote access and management by adding another layer of network security for system administrators. Biometric fingerprint scanner like the USB fingerprint readers which are extremely mobile and compact are also being used increasingly to track attendance and work hours for employees. Banks also involve a huge amount of data and a large number of footfalls. Here data security is of the highest priority because financial data is of key importance along with securing the transaction records and its accessibility to authorized personnel or customer. Biometric fingerprint reader systems are increasingly becoming the most reliable and the most secure security systems for banks. Today companies have realized that fingerprint scanning is an effective means of security.

Fingerprints are the most widely used biometric parameters in the world today. Fingerprints are impressions left by the patterns of the ridges of fingers, or toes. It has been observed that no two fingers, even if they belong to the same hand, provide a 10% fingerprint match. Owing to this unique nature of fingerprints, fingerprint based security systems have become immensely popular today.

Crossmatch Verifier 320 Dual finger USB Fingerprint Scanner is a two fingerprint auto-capturing device form the house of Cross Match, one of the global leaders in fingerprinting technology. It is the fastest dual finger scanner in the market and thereby ideal for both low and high volume programs. The fast, accurate and reliable results produced by the scanner makes it ideal for fingerprint based security systems.

Crossmatch verifier 320 LC provides the opportunity to record two flat fingerprints simultaneously as well as a rolled fingerprint thanks to its large platen area. The FBI appendix F certified fingerprint scanner also features enhanced ambient light rejection that helps it to capture foolproof high-resolution images (500 ppi) of even marked or stained fingers. Being a fast fingerprint scanner the capture rate is very high at 15 fps and average linearity and rectilinearity is less than one pixel.

The fingerprint scanner is light-weight, weighing just 620 grams and has an operating temperature range of 35 degree Fahrenheit to 100 degree Fahrenheit. Under normal working conditions the device has a life span of 45,000 hours, i.e. it can be used continuously for 5 years.

To easily integrate this device into fingerprint based security systems, the product comes with a free fingerprint recognition software development kit. It supports both Windows XP Professional SP2 and Windows Vista 32.

Crossmatch Verifier 320 Dual Finger USB Fingerprint Scanner comes with USB 2.0 connectivity which ensures fast data transfer. It can be used in a wide range fields such as border and port security, law enforcement and court systems, homeland security, finance, healthcare, correctional facilities, fingerprint access control, B2B transactions, and driver’s license among many others. The rugged exterior combined with the mounting bracket makes it easy to use in rough environments as well.

The clinical research organizations’ projected revenue for 2010 was $20 billion, representing approximately one-third of total pharma and biotech R&D spending. Clinical research organizations is a service organization that provides support to pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in the form of outsourced pharmaceutical research services (for both drugs and medical devices).Clinical Research Organizations range from large, international full service organizations to small, niche specialty groups and can offer their clients the experience of moving a new drug or device from its conception to FDA marketing approval without the drug sponsor having to maintain a staff for these services.

The complexity of work involved can be determined by the amount of research and development in key bio medical issues such as non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and leukemia. Clinical research organizations involve handling of expensive and sophisticated equipments, a vast amount of human resource working across various shifts and a huge amount of interdepartmental interaction. Security in an organizational structure involving such vast infrastructure and corresponding footfall becomes a very important issue.

Here the role of biometric access control solutions becomes crucial. This kind of security system provides fingerprint access control using biometric security and biometric attendance systems. Biometric access control systems limit the admission of an individual on a given protected area. Especially in a building filled with doctors, researchers, and administrative/security staff coming in and out, the human resource management becomes difficult and tedious without a proper control access system.

One can choose a biometric attendance access system to limit who can enter or exit certain areas on your premises from a wide range of products. A fingerprint access control is the ideal way to identify exactly who a person is that is trying to access an area. This eliminates unwanted or forced access and ensures territorial security.

Biometrics is also replacing conventional methods of identification and security checks such as physical checks, photo IDs, tokens, and passwords. There is an increasing need to secure human resource, assets, information, and facilities by use of biometric attendance through use of biometric security or biometric access control systems.

Besides access control to particular areas or sections of a building, biometrics is now extensively used in checking attendance and work hours of employees. Biometric attendance and biometric security thus extensively supports and compliments a clinical research organization in its efficient running.

Biometric is the science of identification and recognition of humans on the basis of their physical attributes. The parameters for such identification vary from fingerprints to retina, from iris to voice.

However, over the years fingerprint has emerged to be the most useful parameter for biometric recognition. This has made the world sit up and take notice of the efficacy of a biometric fingerprint reader. Though initially developed for criminal identification by intelligence agencies, a fingerprint reader is today very much a part of every industry and corporate house which aims to safeguard its intelligence resource.

A fingerprint reader scans the impression left by the patterns of the ridges on a human finger and then matches it with the sample data already stored in the system. Now the patterns of the ridges in the human finger are extremely unique in nature. It has been observed that even the fingerprints from two different fingers form the same hand fail to give a match. This unique nature of fingerprints makes a biometric fingerprint reader the safest and most trustworthy device as far as verification is considered.

Moreover, with the advancement in the science of biometrics, new-age products such as a USB fingerprint reader and the like have ensured deliverance of clear and distortion-free images from even wet or scarred fingers.

As discussed earlier, fingerprint readers are no longer restricted for use by the federal agencies. Today, the method of fingerprint matching finds extensive application in a wide range of systems, one of the most popular being fingerprint attendance systems and access control systems. For instance in a clinical research organization the research laboratories become a restricted area meant to be used by researchers and authorities only. In such a scenario a fingerprint reader successfully serves the purpose of restricting admittance.

Also, in clinical trial studies, often cross-study participation of patients is not allowed. In these cases as well, a biometric fingerprint reader can be used to scan and enrol fingerprints of patients.