Fujitsu has entered the ATM smartcard/biometric market. From the July 5 M2 Presswire (UK):
"ICL, the IT services company, has developed an ATM with a biometric fingerprint scanning application to increase security and convenience for users. This new application, called CardStoreTM, is used in conjunction with a smart card to replace an individual's Personal Identification Number (PIN).
"Banorte, a leading bank with more than 600 branches throughout Mexico, is the first to use the CardStore technology in a project. The first ATMs have been installed at a manufacturing facility in Mexico to provide employees with rapid access to cash from their weekly salaries.
"At the beginning and end of a work shift, an employee inserts a smart card in an electronic reader and their finger in a fingerprint scanner to identify themselves. This enables the employer to collect time and attendance information to pay staff. Employees can then retrieve their cash from the ATMs on the company premises, by inserting their smart card and scanning their fingerprint on the machine. . . .
"ICL partnered with NetLink Transactions Services to provide the new CardStore application on Fujitsu ATMs for Banorte, and with its in-country business partner, Microformas. . . .
"ICL is a global IT services company. . . . For the 12 months to 31 March 1999 the company's revenues were UKP2.735 billion which generated a profit before tax and exceptional charges of UKP64.5 million. Headquartered in London, ICL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu and plans to float on the London Stock Exchange in 2000."
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I seem to recall that Fujitsu is also selling fingerscanners on its computers in Japan, for a rather high price. |
