LUND, Sweden, May 6, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Precise Biometrics has signed an agreement with Scandinavian IT Group -- one of the largest IT companies in Scandinavia -- concerning the supply of security solutions to the airline industry. An initial joint customer contract has been signed with SAS Airline regarding a test installation designed to make check-in and boarding procedures safer and more flexible.
"Together, we have a strong position on the European market in this area of the airline industry, and we supplement each other's specialist skills," explains Peter Ewers, director of airport & customer solutions for Scandinavian IT Group.
The first visible results will soon be in place, as tests are shortly to be carried out for SAS Airline in the form of an internal installation at the SAS head office. The solution in question will subsequently be expanded to include a small group of customers at one of the largest airports in Scandinavia.
Some SAS employees will be equipped with new smart cards that feature a chip containing their fingerprints. Using fingerprint technology, the smart card can be used for identification in connection with physical and computer access.
Tests will later also be carried out with selected customers at one of the largest airports in Scandinavia. The idea is for passengers to be able to use smart cards that contain their fingerprints to establish their identity quickly and reliably at check-in desks and when boarding aircraft.
"A fingerprint stored in a smart card means that travelers carry their own personal information and we can thereby resolve the problem of personal integrity," says Tommy Lundin, who is responsible for new technology at SAS.
The agreement between Precise Biometrics and Scandinavian IT Group applies to both the sale and delivery of products, operation and support to future shared customers.
"We are convinced that the airline industry holds major potential as the demand for security controls is increasing appreciably. The working agreement with Scandinavian IT Group, which is one of the most skilled companies in this area, feels just right. With SAS Airline as the first joint customer, the working relationship has got off to a great start. SAS is a customer we have wanted to work with for a very long time on account of their qualified security system," explains Christer Bergman, CEO of Precise Biometrics.
Precise Biometrics is an innovative security company that supplies world-leading systems for authentication using fingerprints. The solutions supplied by the company replace keys, PIN codes and passwords. The company's products are cost effective and provide security and comfort combined with top-class protection of personal integrity. The range of products includes systems for access control to computers and networks and for building into mobile and terminals, such as mobile phones and portable computers. The company headquarters are in Lund, Sweden. The company also has offices in Stockholm and a U.S. subsidiary in Washington, D.C. Precise Biometrics is listed on the O-list of the Stockholm Stock Exchange (symbol: PREC A). For additional information, visit www.precisebiometrics.com
Scandinavian IT Group
The history of Scandinavian IT Group dates back to 1958. With its wide-range experience and origin in commercial aviation, the company is regarded as one of the most advanced IT companies in its field. With over 1,300 people and a turnover exceeding US$200 million, the company specializes in the development, maintenance, integration and operation of IT-solutions for the international airline industry, as well as for other service-oriented businesses.