A Biometric Fingerprint Scanner Can Help Businesses in Multiple Ways

What was once shown as science fiction in sci-fi movies a few years back has now turned into affordable reality. In the initial days, a biometric fingerprint scanner was so costly that only high-tech government installations and high-security organizations could afford it. But with prices now dropping dramatically in the past few years, even small businesses can afford to install such scanners that can surely help them in more ways than one.

A biometric fingerprint scanner is a biometric device that uses a scanner to scan the fingerprint of an individual and then compares it to a ready database before displaying the result on the unit or on an attached computer. While scanners in the past were heavy and large, the latest scanners are small enough to be incorporated on a mouse, a keyboard or even a laptop. Since fingerprints are unique to each person on earth including twins, such scanners can be used not only as a security tool to allow access to only approved people but also to track their movements while also noting down the time when such authentication might have taken place.

A biometric fingerprint scanner consists of a sensor that scans each finger before sending that image for entry into the computer or for comparison to a ready database. Since each human finger consists of ridges and valleys that make up a unique pattern specific only to that human being, there are no chances of any errors. Biometric software including rsa authentication software is used to compare the fingerprint with those in the database. Once a match is made then the scanner can accept or deny entry to the person based on the programming done for the particular scanner. What started out as merely identifying a person or allowing entry into restricted areas has now been converted into tracking a person's whereabouts in an office or factory and even linking it to payroll software before paying salaries to employees.

Many businesses have now put up a biometric fingerprint scanner at entry and exit points of their property. This can enable them to note down the exact time of entry and exit of each employee without chances of cheating that was previously possible in cases of simple ID badges. This scanner can be linked to payroll software so that exact salaries can be handed out during payday. The movements of employees within different departments too can be tracked by installing such scanners at various locations within the company premises. Some businesses also use 2 factor authentication, which includes one additional authentication method other than biometric fingerprint scanning to ensure greater security and reliability. This could include an iris scanner to scan the eyes of the person in addition to scanning for fingerprints. This is especially true in high-security zones since fingerprint scanners can be fooled with a fingerprint mold or even by cutting off a person's finger and placing it on the scanner within a very short time.

With several companies such as Biometric Solution and Fulcrum Biomterics, among several others offering many models to suit the security and business needs of various organizations, the time to exploit the potential of such scanners has truly arrived. A biometric fingerprint scanner is sure to become a necessity at each entry point, especially in these terror-infested times even as the commercial aspects of such scanners provide relief to many businesses including small ones.

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