LONDON - SchlumbergerSema, the information technology (IT) business segment of Schlumberger Limited, today announced that it has been selected by the UK Passport Service to carry out its already announced six-month trial of the biometric technology.
The trial will run for six months from January to June 2004. During this time 10,000 individuals, will be enrolled and receive personalized demonstration smart cards carrying both printed and electronic information. The consortium of technology vendors is led by SchlumbergerSema as prime contractor, and includes NEC, Identix, Iridian Technologies Inc. while the survey research component of the project will be undertaken by MORI.
SchlumbergerSema will design, build and maintain the pilot equipment and software. Building on its extensive experience in the security and biometrics arena, NEC will be supplying its Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), while Identix Inc will provide the fingerprint capture and facial matching technology. The iris recognition technology is supplied by Iridian Technologies Inc.
The pilot will test iris pattern and fingerprint biometrics enrolment and verification. The pilot will also test collection and verification of a facial recognition biometric.
"We are delighted to be working with the UK Passport Service to test the use of biometrics through a simulation of the passport process" said Geoff Llewellyn, director, strategy and government relations for SchlumbergerSema. "We are looking forward to bringing together cutting edge technology to make this large-scale pilot a success."
SchlumbergerSema participated in a small-scale demonstrator conducted last year at the London Passport Office, Knightsbridge Post Office and other locations. As a global systems integrator of advanced IT systems employing smart cards, very large databases and biometric technologies, and as the manager of massive multi-supplier projects such as the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games it is well qualified to deliver this project.
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About Schlumberger
Schlumberger is a global oilfield and information services company with major activity in the energy industry. The company employs 78,000 people of more than 140 nationalities working in 100 countries and comprises three primary business segments. Schlumberger Oilfield Services is the world's premier oilfield services company supplying a wide range of technology services and solutions to the international oil and gas industry. WesternGeco, jointly owned with Baker Hughes, is the world's largest and most advanced surface seismic company. SchlumbergerSema is a leading supplier of IT consulting, systems integration, and network and infrastructure services to the energy industry, as well as to the public sector, telecommunications and finance markets. In 2002, Schlumberger operating revenue was $13.2 billion. Atos Origin announced in September this year that it has signed an agreement to acquire the core IT services activities of SchlumbergerSema from Schlumberger to create one of the leading global IT services companies. The agreement subject to regulatory approvals is expected to be completed no later than January 2004. For more information, visit www.slb.com and www.atosorigin.com
About Identix Incorporated
Identix Incorporated (Nasdaq: IDNX) is the world's leading multi-biometric security technology company. The company's broad range of fingerprint and facial recognition technology offerings empower the identification of individuals who wish to gain access to information or facilities, conduct transactions and obtain IDs. Additionally, the company's products and solution offerings can help identify those who perpetrate fraud and otherwise pose a threat to public safety. Identix' products serve a broad range of industries and market segments - most notably, government and law enforcement, aviation, financial, healthcare and corporate enterprise. In addition, the company's wholly owned subsidiary, Identix Public Sector, Inc. provides project management and facilities engineering services to the government sector.
Identix, FaceIt and TouchPrint are trademarks or registered trademarks of Identix Incorporated.
About Iridian Technologies
Iridian Technologies, Inc. of Moorestown, NJ commercializes software for iris recognition - renowned as one of the most accurate biometric identifiers. The holder of US and international patents behind iris recognition technologies, Iridian offers unparalleled security for public-use applications such as simplified passenger travel, border control, national IDs, restricted access and information access solutions. Iridian's software leverages algorithms originally developed by Dr. John Daugman of Cambridge University. Iridian's Proof Positive hardware and software certification program assures that certified iris cameras and software solutions meet critical standards for performance, interoperability, safety, security, scalability, usability and reliability. For more information, visit www.iridiantech.com
About NEC Corporation
NEC is one of the world's leading providers of Internet, broadband network and enterprise business solutions dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of its diverse and global base of customers. Ranked as one of the world's top patent-producing companies, NEC delivers tailored solutions in the key fields of computer, networking and electron devices, by integrating its technical strengths in IT and Networks, and by providing advanced semiconductor solutions through NEC Electronics Corporation. The NEC Group employs more than 140,000 people worldwide and had net sales of approximately $40 billion in the fiscal year ended March 2003. For additional information, please visit the NEC home page at: www.nec.com
About MORI
MORI (Market & Opinion Research International) is the largest independently-owned market research company in the United Kingdom. Since our foundation in 1969 MORI has been one of Britain's fastest growing research agencies specializing in high quality and impartial research for a range of clients in both the public and private sectors. Contact us at www.mori.com
The recruitment of volunteers will be managed by MORI to ensure a representative sample of the UK population. Any requests to take part in the trial should be directed to Melanie Briere, MORI, on telephone number +44 20 73473023 / email trial@mori.com
For further information, contact:
Caroline Crouch
media relations manager
Tel: +44 20 7830 4233
Mobile: +44 7733 310 086
ccrouch@slb.com
© Press Release 2006
