Well, if we're speculating about good companies to buy out . . .
We have to think whether they have something IDX doesn't have but could use, like the BAT and Fingerscan purchases. FINX has a technology that trails IDX's commercially, and is basically an accounting play for the tax carryforward credits; NRID has, I think, nothing but a deal with Keytronics and maybe some chances in health care, but they are going down and IDX (a) seems disinterested in Keytronics and (b) will have the health care market pretty much to itself soon (does Jaffo pay off under the terms of his bet if his company goes under?); I took a quick look at LASX and they look financially very sick. They have a majority stake in Sandia, but Sandia looks a bit far afield for IDX (credit card/smart card manufacture). That still leaves me with Visionics, if they are for sale, and any company I never heard of with good potential.
Hey, IDX may buy out nobody this year. Maybe they need a rest. I do think, Brad, that the Diebold decision is, if not a setback, strategically a lost opportunity for IDX. And we are seeing signs of alliances on Internet security proposals that don't have biometrics involved (at least yet). The field is getting a little more attention -- you're right it's a coming thing. |
