Biometrics system enables law firm to dispense with the need for keys

(12/12/2006)

Biometrics, the science of using characteristics of the human body to ensure identification, has moved from the preserve of Governments and the military to become proven technology with a vast number of security applications.

A leading North East law firm has moved into its new purpose built head office and call centre in Newcastle upon Tyne fully protected by the latest biometric security and time and attendence system.

Winn Solicitors specialise in accident and personal injury claims throughout the UK. Their call centre handles between two and four hundred calls per day and operates round the clock, seven days a week. Personnel will scan their fingerprint to access or leave the call centre and the system will automatically calculate payroll from the data held.

Winn Solicitors is believed to be the first law firm in the UK to adopt biometric technology. The system which was supplied by UK Biometrics Ltd has enabled Winn Solicitors to dispense with the need for keys, PINs, swipe cards or fobs by scanning the users fingerprint.

All sixty five employees will access internal and external doors by presenting their fingerprint on a small scanner. The system recognises key points on the fingerprint but does not store the print itself, so human rights are not compromised.

Initially the biometric system was intended to replace keys but it has been configured to operate as a time and attendance system, which will register workers arriving and leaving head office and the attached customer call centre.

Winn Solicitors Director Dawn Winn commented: “What started out as a security system has developed very quickly into a system that also monitors time and attendance. We took the decision to specify the best equipment for every aspect of our new head office and the biometric system has more than lived up to our expectations. We can now see at a glance who is where in the building, where they have been and when.”

UK Biometrics Sales Director Steve Bernard said: “The Winn installation is a good example of a client who spots the potential of our biometric systems. In addition to providing total security the system will calculate payroll. This will save Winn Solicitors thousands of pounds a year in overpaid wages and staff resources. A biometric system has health and safety benefits since management know exactly who is in the building should they need to evacuate. We look forward to working with Winn Solicitors as they continue to expand.”

Related topics:  Access Control   Biometric Systems   Physical Security   Security market sectors 

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