I just had a very interesting phone conversation with the IT director for the city of Oceanside, CA. Let me start by saying he's really a BIG, BIG advocate of biometrics in general and Identicator in particular. We have a real friend in this guy.
Over a year ago they started implementing biometrics into the city's computers through Compaq. He said he was looking for more security and convenience (sound familiar?) and with Compaq he got both and he is very happy about that. But, (and this really turned him on) he is saving anywhere between $2,500-5,000 a month because he doesn't have to deal with password problems anymore! He says that with the ease of use, the security and the savings, why isn't everybody using biometrics? It's a win-win situation for everyone.
They started out with Compaq and he didn't even know about Identicator at first. I can't remember how he learned of Identicator but he's been in heaven ever since he started dealing directly with them. He says they've been so easy to work with (sound familiar - Power Lunch) and you just can't beat their service. He says he is not always easy to get in touch with because of being away from his desk, but when they were implementing their system Identicator would call 7, 8, or 9 times a day trying to get ahold of him. He said that nobody else would do that. BTW, he also said that Compaq customer service was terrible. (Are you listening, IDX?)
Now this is the part I like the best - he said he looked at two or three other biometric providers (IBM was one of them and he couldn't remember the others) and the Identicator software "BLEW THE COMPETITION AWAY!" That's right, that's what he said. You heard correctly. He loves the software and he can't wait for future upgrades! (Are you listening, IDX?)
All of his users like them system, especially those who are not very computer literate. After all, forget those passwords and just submit your fingerprint. Not one person has complained about privacy. He says policemen and firemen are the most concerned about privacy because of writing reports and such, and they all like it too because it makes their reports secure.
He had only one complaint and it will be familiar to all of you. He says that, "Nobody knows about the product." Imagine that? Nobody knows about the product. (Are you listening, IDX?) He also told me he would like to work with IDX to put out a press release about what Oceanside is doing with biometrics/IDT. He volunteered! (Are you listening, IDX? Get on the stick with this guy and do a little PR with him.)
One more thing - he and I are going to get together for lunch sometime soon and he's going to show me his systems and what the city is doing with biometrics, and we'll talk some more.
Like I said, we have a real friend in this guy.
Rick
ps - I forgot to say that he has made it a REQUIREMENT for the city of Oceanside that any new computers MUST have biometrics installed. (meaning, of course, IDT) |
