Recognition Systems' New Security Enclosures Put Biometrics Security Where Wanted
Hand Geometry Readers Maintain Performance in Outdoor Environments Including Freezing Temperatures, Heavy Rains, Dust, even NEMA Environments
CAMPBELL, CALIF. - March 5, 2002 - Recognition Systems, the biometric component of Ingersoll-Rand's (IR) Security & Safety Group's Electronic Access Control Division (EACD), today announced that the convenience of hand geometry, which positively identifies people themselves, not their keys, cards or codes, can now be freely used in practically any type of inclement weather or facility environment. With a new line of three security enclosures, facility managers can confidently employ biometrics in temperatures as low as -45F (-43C), heavy rains, dust or other stressful environments.
"The greatest convenience for biometrics is at the front door, especially if cards are not used throughout the facility," advises Bill Spence, Recognition Systems director of marketing. "Why force employees to remember their keys or cards? There is no need to ask Operations to manage a card system if the card is only going to be used on the front door. No one ever forgets to bring a hand to work. With a biometric system, the user's hand is the key, managers aren't burdened by the cost of a card system and they needn't worry about lost or stolen credentials."
The new 'Blizzard' enclosure is constructed of heavy gauge, zinc-coated steel and features a weather-sealed keypad, low-temperature display and heated interior. The Blizzard will provide biometric-based access control in temperatures from -35F to +120F (-37C to +49C).
The 'Hurricane' enclosure is designed for areas with heavy rainfalls as well as drastic temperature swings of -20F to +120F (-29C to +49C). A generous lid offers protection from driving rain and the contoured shape facilitates water runoff. The enclosure can also act as a dust cover, protecting the unit from dirt, grime and swirling debris.
The 'Tsunami' enclosure is water sealed, built to NEMA Type 4 standards and handles temperature extremes of -45F to +120F (-43C to +49C). It protects the HandReader from all the elements fought off by the Hurricane as well as splashing and hose-directed water used for cleaning certain industrial and food processing plants.
Both the Hurricane and Tsunami enclosures may also include an optional temperature-regulated heater element built into the platen, where users place their hands, providing comfortable and trouble-free use in the coldest locations. This integrated heater option may also be ordered without the secure enclosures.
"These new enclosures provide increased flexibilities in designing flexible access control systems," adds Spence. "The organization that wants to employ convenient, secure access to their buildings, can now do it reliably, inside and out. Besides the exterior doors, the handreader is the perfect solution for increasing security in areas such as the telecommunications room, data center or laboratory. Since our HandKey II hand geometry readers can be standalone systems unto themselves, the new secure enclosures provide biometric entry to the facility as well as to the secure areas, all without cards or installing and wiring control panels."
About Recognition Systems
With over 60,000 hand geometry units throughout the world reading millions of hands each day, Recognition Systems, founded in 1986, is the pioneer of hand recognition technology used in access control, time and attendance and identification applications. The company is the world sales leader of biometric verification devices and serves an international clientele from its headquarters in Campbell, Calif. The hand geometry website is www.handreader.com. Phone is 408-341-4100. Recognition Systems is the biometric component of Ingersoll-Rand Corporation's Security & Safety Group's Electronic Access Control Division. The Ingersoll-Rand website is www.irco.com.