Fujitsu to resell ImageWare biometric security solutions...as unit names new EMEA chief

Fujitsu is expanding its advanced biometric security solutions portfolio through a newly-signed agreement in which it will resell ImageWare Systems’ key security solutions including enterprise mobile biometric user authentication as a service. Under the agreement, Fujitsu not only extends its biometric identity and access management solutions to mobile devices but also to additional authentication methods including fingerprint, face, and voice recognition.

As a result, Fujitsu customers will now be able to deploy biometric authentication as a service running on the Fujitsu Cloud Service K5.

“Through this agreement with ImageWare Systems, our customers gain access to an enhanced portfolio of biometric security solutions that reduce the barriers to deploying highly secure biometric authentication,” said Thomas Bengs, director and head of Biometrics at Fujitsu in EMEIA. Businesses will also benefit from more choice than ever, both in terms of the technologies they deploy and the ability to offer authentication via mobile devices. Delivering biometric authentication as a service opens up many new use cases and reduces the complexity usually associated with security measures.”

Fujitsu’s current biometric identity and access management solutions, including its PalmSecure palm vein authentication solution, already use ImageWare System’s Biometric Engine as their backend identity storage and matching database.

The same technology is now available as a service, hosted on the Fujitsu Cloud Service K5. Fujitsu customers can quickly add highly secure biometric authentication to their security processes by deploying the ImageWare Systems GoVerifyID line of products.

Beginning in July, Fujitsu customers in Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa will be available to purchase the ImageWare Systems solutions. Pricing will vary according to country and configuration.

“By taking advantage of our powerful biometrics solutions delivered via Fujitsu’s cloud-based security as a service, many more businesses can easily enhance their security,” said Jim Miller, chairman and CEO of ImageWare Systems. “The potential applications are plentiful: Enterprises can add features such as mobile security for application logins or manage access to controlled areas, while retailers can use biometrics to help prevent fraud or to manage loyalty programs. There are also many potential applications in the financial industry where confirming identity in online, mobile or ATM banking is crucial. Finally, in healthcare, biometrics authentication easily confirms patient identity, accelerating check-in for example during visits to the doctor.”

Previously reported in some quarters, Fujitsu recently signed an agreement to resell Nok Nok Labs’ S3 Authentication Suite to deliver end-to-end FIDO authentication to the Japanese market and worldwide to its global customer base.

In a related development, PFU Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited (Japan), has appointed Toru Maki as its new president and chief executive officer for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

PFU is a globally active IT provider that designs, manufactures and markets computer hardware, peripheral products and enterprise software. It is one of the leading providers of professional personal, desktop, workgroup and high-volume production scanners.

In his new role, Maki will be responsible to further expand PFU's position as the number one provider of document capture solutions in EMEA, said a statement from the company. Moreover, the company wants to achieve this by not only growing the hardware business but also putting a strong focus on the PaperStream and ScanSnap software and on professional services, it said.

Maki joined Fujitsu in 1982 and held various positions in finance and administration as well as management positions in the company's document scanner business. His last positions prior to taking over his new role were as head of the scanner business in India and senior director for international sales.

Speaking on his new role, Maki said: “Our company has always focused on its innovative power to build customer-oriented technology that has kept us at the forefront of the industry.” As president, I want to build on that and deepen our customer relationships in order to gain a thorough understanding of their business requirements,” he added.