Biometric Technology Goes Beyond The Office

We have come a long way in terms of our security measures. The standard by which we hold ourselves and our safety now lies in computer technology and it's only going to advance further. Finger scanner and facial recognition technology is multifaceted. It can be used for identification in offices and at home, communal buildings, apartments, airports and more.

It all starts with employee clock in software. One of the most basic tools that every office needs. You add fingerprint reader software to it and viola! You've amped up your security tenfold. The reader makes sure that only your employees can sign themselves in. But now extrapolate that outside the office. What can finger scanners be used for?

Well,  they will help add information to databases. Biometrics are the most accurate way to identify individuals. They only read live prints, too, so they're ideal for airport security, government offices, and major corporations. Fingerprint door locks are implemented, and some biometric security scanners will also check facial recognition and vocal patterns.

Basically, you can use biometrics for a multitude of home and business applications. They make things run more efficiently and securely.


by FingerTec USA

We have come a long way in terms of our security measures. The standard by which we hold ourselves and our safety now lies in computer tec...

0 comments:

The Road To Perfection Has No End

Friday 23 December 2011 0 Comments



Everybody needs a laugh, isn't it?
Everybody is far from perfection. Even Apple sometimes has issues with their hardware, if you cared to check the net to find out the truth. Siri always gives you diverting answers to your questions and is not really as ‘brainy’ as what the hype claims she was. However, the irony is, everybody is looking for perfection, or constantly looking for imperfection to complain about. That’s being human. 

One thing dangerous, in my opinion, is state of being complacent; going through a long period without having urges to improve in any area in life. While perfection is vastly subjective or rather impossible to achieve yet the struggle to achieve perfection must continue. That’s being human.

2012 is just a few days away and looking back at the year we are going to leave behind, I would say that FingerTec practically ran the whole year on our road to perfection, having so little time to catch our breath; and the run doesn’t stop in December but picks up its speed in January and the struggle continues. There were so many things accomplished yet there are so many things in the pipeline waiting to be perfected for our customers. 

The latest will be the introduction of CloudTrack for all our resellers. A user can access the information of every FingerTec unit purchased from us since July 2011 and get details of every part available in that particular terminal. And even better, resellers will be able to update those records to contain the latest information about the particular terminal. In a way, CloudTrack will work as a record center for all FingerTec products to ever leave our company.


And this is just the beginning of what we have planned for you in the next coming year. Read about our plans in our debut annual magazine, Beyond Biometrics, which will be available in January 2012. And while you are at that, please send me your comments and opinions at ana@fingertec.com

by Norana Johar, COO, FingerTec HQ

Everybody needs a laugh, isn't it? Everybody is far from perfection. Even Apple sometimes has issues with their hardware, if you cared t...

0 comments:

Benefits of Biometric Time Clocks

employee clock in softwareBefore you invest in biometric time clock software, you may want to have a better understanding of what constitutes this technology. Once you know this information, you will be better able to ascertain the effectiveness of biometric time clocks.

This technology is not only suitable for security firms, it is valuable to any company. Biometric software is not an elitist notion; is is available for small and large businesses. There are so many different models available, each of which offer great features, that you will definitely find the model that most effectively addresses your business needs.

For example, the FingerTec TA2oo Plus W is a state-of-the-art wireless attendance system. It has large storage capacity and a colorful screen that displays straightforward icons. This system is also incredibly convenient, since it offers multiple clock-in methods, which include fingerprint identification, RFID cards, and password verification. This attendance system also includes message displays and similar features that make interoffice communication even easier. It is also easy to enroll a user and transfer data.

This software abolishes many faults associated with traditional employee clock in software, which creates a more honest and efficient work environment for both you and your employees. For more information, visit the FingerTec homepage.


by FingerTec USA

Before you invest in biometric time clock  software, you may want to have a better understanding of what constitutes this technology. Once y...

0 comments:

Beyond Biometrics

(This is my Foreword for Beyond Biometrics, FingerTec annual publication)



I always had the dream to build a world-class brand. And, I believed that full-fledged execution is the only way for me to get closer to that dream. Over the years with FingerTec, we have been building, improving and strengthening not only our products and services, but also our system and our people, in our way to achieve this ultimate goal of building a renowned brand.

When we created a vast pool of online resources based on practical branding that leveraged on Internet technology, we promised our customers that we would Make Things Easy. User friendliness is the priority in almost everything that we do, starting from leading-edge products to support systems. This strategy had brought us hundreds of loyal resellers and ten-of-thousands of customers in more than 120 countries around the world.

Our 2011 recorded a growth of 15% as compared to the previous year, which I'm proud about considering the volatile world's economic situation. Even though the coming year's economy would still be enveloped in a gloomy outlook from the likely spread Eurozone debt crisis, we particularly optimistic about the future ahead of us.

Let's welcome 2012 with the publication of Beyond Biometrics. This annual magazine contains FingerTec's past activities, and the retrospect of the brand's highlighted events. we also give you a hint of what's in store for the year 2012 by FingerTec.

Beyond Biometrics is not merely a title for our magazine, it has become our new slogan, succeeding We Make Things Easy, marking the arrival of a new era that focuses on technology transformation of FingerTec products, and the changes in our business approach simultaneously. The recent debut of our web-based and mobile TimeTec system has the market excited, and we expect to expand our platform to cloud computing technology and to offer it as SaaS (Software as a Service) in the short future would definitely stir another round of excitement.

Furthermore, we will continue to lift the slogan to a higher ground, to become our philosophical guide that blends into our strategic planning and daily operation.

With all that we have in plan and the team that we have onboard, I am confident that the FingerTec brand will soar to a new height.

It is my pleasure to present to you Beyond Biometrics and let's stride towards the promising future.

by Teh Hon Seng, CEO, FingerTec HQ

(This is my Foreword for Beyond Biometric s, FingerTec annual publication) I always had the dream to build a world-class brand. And, ...

0 comments:

Biometric Technology Is Positively Changing The Work Environment

Offices used to be filled with closed doors and rows of cubicles. However the 21st century's definition of an office is a more open and collaborative environment. A lot of this is a result of the advancement in technology and in security.

What was once standard is flying out the window and being replaced with more cost effective and accurate solutions. One example is the eminent takeover of personal devices, which have made "bring your own tech" (BYOT) a common office practice. Because of this, security and employee work shift tracking software has become more popular.

Obviously offices are now filled with WiFi and PBX hosted phone systems too. Computers are smaller and files are shared online. Things have generally shrunk and have become less paper-oriented. It saves storage space for more practical items.

Biometric time clocks are another big switch. Since more time is being spent outside of the traditional office space, complex systems are now in place to record breaks, meetings, and absences. When people are coming and going more often access security has to advance as well, hence the implementation of fingerprint door lock technology.

Obviously this is just the start but it is a big step forward. Considering there is a whole century ahead of us and technology advances exponentially faster, there is a lot to look forward to.


by FingerTec USA

Offices used to be filled with closed doors and rows of cubicles. However the 21st century's definition of an office is a more open and ...

0 comments:

Persistency in Execution is the Key to a Successful Plan

Recently, during the IFSEC Arabia Exhibition, I had a talk with one of FingerTec distributors from Saudi Arabia.


“Since you make cold calls to get appointments, how many prospective customers do you meet in a day?” I asked, after he explained about his sales activities.

“Approximately three to four, about a hundred a month.”

“That’s a lot. Then how many readers you can sell in a month?”

“I reckon about fifteen to twenty. It varies from month to month, festive months would be less, and if there was a project, the sales would be more.”

“That’s quite impressive,” I replied. “How about next year, would you foresee that you could meet more potential clients in a month?”

My question caught him off-guard and he started to calculate the possibilities. He then raised his head and said, “Probably not. Because I think I would see less (customers) but selling more readers.”

Exactly. He saw the logic by getting more referrals and more quality potentials.

“But still, time is limited for everyone. Why don’t you try some new strategies?” As usual, I started my “routine lecture” to persuade him to look into Internet marketing as an alternative method to improve his company’s image and boost sales.

I began to explain how to tap on our resources, to use monthly newsletter as an effective tool to spread the influence and to reach the maximum target audience by a single click.

“And you virtually meet more prospective customers not by hundreds but by a few thousands every month. The mailing list will get longer much easier, and you will experience the days when customers will be calling you instead of the other way round.” Of course, I told him that rule of permission marketing is applied.

I received positive responses from his boss, who joined us later in the conversation, and him.  I sincerely told them that the Internet marketing might look simple, but without persistency, many had failed in adopting the strategy.

I recalled three years ago when I visited a distributor, I noticed that some ineffective conventional methods were being used by them to handle both sales and support in a vast country, I told them that they have to make a few changes to prosper.

I later spent a month writing FingerTec Distributor Guidebook as a reference, and urging more resellers to follow our successful strategies in expanding their business in the local market.  Because, I really don’t think that to increase sales amount, the workforce size needs to increase at the same rate.

Since FingerTec Way has been proven to work fine in expanding business to cover the worldwide market, I strongly believe that it should fit into other local markets effortlessly with some minor modifications. Even if resellers make use of the same concept and include some other products that they carry, I think it should work fine too.


Alas, although some distributors agreed, acknowledged and  implemented the idea, it was done in a perfunctory manner.  For example, they may set up Facebook accounts, but updated them once in a few months, not to mention tougher tasks such as sending newsletters with some of their own contents periodically, which I think would be a highly efficient way in yielding maximum advantages in the long run.

Persistency in executions is the key to ensure a successful plan; that is what I have learned over the years. In fact, relationships between FingerTec and its partners can be more intimate than just buyers and sellers if they were to implement the FingerTec Way. They are free to use our plentiful resources to grow their business. The persistency in execution is everything that they need.

The FingerTec Way is still in its infancy. Hence, wherever I go, I feel it is customary to promote it to the resellers that I met, hopefully to gain more followers. This has become my new persistency.

by Teh Hon Seng, CEO, FingerTec HQ

Recently, during the IFSEC Arabia Exhibition, I had a talk with one of FingerTec distributors from Saudi Arabia. “Since you make co...

0 comments:

Biometric Technology Is Being Applied For Personal Identification ForColleges

Thursday 8 December 2011 , 1 Comments

There has been quite a nasty string of exam fraud for university applications. This has prompted schools to start looking for alternatives to the traditional student ID and government issued photo ID. Since schools take themselves very seriously, having such fraud scandals could seriously hurt the admissions process. It is so easily avoidable, too. you just need to be sure that the person who took the test matches the academic record supplied by the school. This can be done with more advanced technology than a photo.

Biometric technology can be applied for many things, like employee clock in software, so why not for exam-taking? We ask for fingerprints and other forms of identification anyway when it comes to other matters of security and insurance. Why not make more advanced systems for education?

The simplest form would be a finger scanner. The more complicated forms of biometrics include a scan of the iris, vascular (skin), and face.  The University of Cambridge may start including software for exam fraud prevention so that they have a much smaller chance of any occurrence.

Biometrics have been proven useful for many forms of fraud prevention. From shift clock-in and out, banking, and building security. Academic integrity is just one more useful application of the technology.


by FingerTec USA

There has been quite a nasty string of exam fraud for university applications. This has prompted schools to start looking for alternatives t...

1 comments:

Get Spotted In An Ocean of Information

Wednesday 30 November 2011 , , 0 Comments

Gauging your own popularity in the search engine by typing your own name in Google is an act of vanity and if indeed you do it occasionally, it should be kept under wrap forever. But, gauging your company’s popularity in search engines is not an act of a narcissist; it is an act of a good business sense! When a large part of your marketing relies on your existence in the Internet, being found online should be one of your business’s top priorities. Creating corporate and commercial websites are among the first steps which many companies have taken on seriously plus the advertising of www addresses everywhere, but not many companies would actually promote the website in the Internet for the millions of Internet users out there.

The fact is, the Internet world is more than meets the eye. Think of the Internet as an ocean of information and like the sea, there are mysteries waiting to be unfolded. It requires extra effort from a company to learn about the potential of the Internet in business. 

The key to being found online is keywords. What keywords would your potential clients be using to search for your company? People who don’t know your brand will not key in your brand’s name into the search engine. My point is, you can’t claim that your brand is always on top when you typed in your brand’s in the search engine. The truth of the matter is, people would not type your brand when they are looking for biometrics time attendance or door access machines. And if they type the keywords associated with your products, would they find you? And, if they don’t, would they find your competition instead?

So, the question is, what would be the keywords that come to mind when they want to look for information related to the products that you offer. 


It’s easier to think that everything happens by chance but the reality is not as ideal as that. Search engines have their own unique way to spot you amongst the rests. Though the process is not as simple, the idea is. Scatter the keywords all over your websites, let the robots notice the keywords and bring the information back to the search engine. The more abundant the keywords, the higher the chance of being found. And the best way to pepper these keywords is to do it in your contents! Create content that is rich in keywords and you might just become famous in the Internet. 

Search engine optimization is an investment of commitment and time. The result would not be instant but it’s beneficial and cost effective in the long run. 

Starting from today, I’m urging FingerTec resellers who have websites to intentionally use keywords like fingerprint, time attendance system, biometrics, door access system, etc in articles and websites related to FingerTec. We might create wonder by doing it together. 

What say you?

by Norana Johar, COO, FingerTec HQ

Gauging your own popularity in the search engine by typing your own name in Google is an act of vanity and if indeed you do it occasionally,...

0 comments:

Keep Your Store Safe This Holiday Season

Yes, the holidays are joyous and jovial. But they also have a stressful side. This is a definite truth for store owners. While the holidays bring in customers and profits, they are also a prime time for petty theft. You want to make sure that your business, your earnings, and your stockroom are all safe.  The last thing you need is to go to open shop the next day only to find that there's nothing left to open.

Have you considered a fingerprint door lock? This would be the optimum time to consider it. The only people who will have access to the "employees only" spaces are employees. The door locks have databases that can store information on your entire staff so that they can enter and exit easily, however it keeps unauthorized out. And while it's a rare occurrence, if you have problems with any employees you can revoke access remotely whenever you like. The safety standards of fingerprint reader software are much higher than with manual door locks. Some models will allow access with cards as well to help save time.

Your money's safety is crucial this time of year. You are going to need the revenue to boost you into the New Year. Take the time and invest in biometric technology today. It's easy to install and will save you a lot of worry.


by FingerTec USA

Yes, the holidays are joyous and jovial. But they also have a stressful side. This is a definite truth for store owners. While the holidays ...

1 comments:

IFSEC Saudi: Religion As Brand Identity

I couldn't help but to compare what I had observed in the two Islamic stronghold countries that I had visited, Iran a few years back, and Saudi Arabia just last week. 

Wearing of headscarf is compulsory for all women in Iran but their pieces of clothing and headscarves can be fashionable and colorful. This headscarf ruling is applied to foreign women too. But black is the only permitted color for women in Saudi; they put on black headscarves, black veils, shapeless Abaya black gowns covering from head to toe, exposing only a pair of flickering eyes, and some even covered their eyes with black veils too. But for foreign women, while headscarf and veil are not enforced, black gown is obligatory. With Saudi men wearing their traditional white robe and their women put on the black ones, such contrast is so eye-catching in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi, and located in the middle of Arabia in a desert environment.

Alcohol is forbidden and entertainments are scarce in both countries but you get more Western TV channels in Saudi than in Iran. Facebook is banned in Iran, but I could gain access in Saudi. It had made my stay in Saudi slightly entertained.

Segregation of different sexes is a common scene at the food corners in Saudi. All shops are closed during prayer times which did not happen in Iran.

Segregation of sexes at the food corner

Generally, Saudi women are not allowed to work and they are not allowed to drive by law. Even at the women cosmetic counters at the shopping mall, only salesmen were around to serve you. The IFSEC Arabia observed the similar scenario, the religion extended its grip to bar all female exhibitors from entering the hall, making the exhibition the all-male show.

IFSEC Arabia was relatively small, occupied only a small hall with less than 100 exhibitors. Since FingerTec is a famous biometrics brand in the Kingdom of Saudi, and we already have a few active and performing resellers, our participation's purpose was mainly to meet with them and to understand this unique market better. 


Visitors gather at our booth
ItQan's Mr. Mohammed Naiem Ewidah (right)  and Mr. Mohamed Adbulmoniem Abdul Mustafa (left)

To name a few who came include Global System's Technical Manager, Mr. Mohamed Abdelatif from Jeddah who came on the first day, ItQan International's Project Manager and Sales Engineer, Mr. Mohammed Naiem Ewidah and Mr. Mohamed Abdulmoniem Abdul Mustafa from Dammam who came on Day 2 and 3 to help us at the booth. We also had a good conversation with ZulTec’s Sales Manager Mr. Mohammad Munir and SecuTech Arabia’s Pre-Sales Consultant and Sales Manager Mr. Mohammad Shahzad and Mr. Rauf Anwar Mohammad and Proline UK’s Assistant Manager Mr. Nasiruldin Y. Sulaiman who dropped by our booth. We also took the opportunity to meet Innokat Saudi’s Deputy Managing Director and e-Business Director Mr. Ali S. Al-Farhan and Mr. Naser Abu Al-Haji who become our partner this year, and active in government projects in Riyadh.

Islam was originated in Saudi Arabia in the 6th century, and spread fast to the Middle East and later to the rest of the world. With over 1.5 billion followers as of 2009 or over 22% of earth’s population, Islam is now the second largest and one of the fastest-growing religions in the world.

Over centuries, the major religions have evolved an astonishing ability to extract loyalty, unswerving devotion and financial contributions from their adherents, which must make them a fairly appealing business model to emulate as to yield brand identity and brand loyalty. 


The iconic tower, Burj Al Mamlakah or Kingdom Centre

And, if we see FingerTec in a religion perspective, the logo as the religion symbol; the philosophical ideology as a fundamental principle; the global reseller program as a basic teaching; the online resources as a doctrine to instill beliefs; and the resellers as evangelists, we have no doubt why our brand has religiously spread in over 120 countries.

The different of Islam between Iran and Saudi, and in other different countries, as Graham E. Fuller, a political scientist has put it, there is one Islam, but many different ways Muslims live and interpret it that differ greatly from country to country, age to age, issue from issue, person to person. In fact, Islam is what Muslims think Islam is, as well as way they want it to be. And they differ, as do adherents of other faiths.

And I see our localization efforts and product customizations to fulfill certain requirements fit into this explanation, but FingerTec still remains as One Brand. 



by Teh Hon Seng, CEO, FingerTec HQ

I couldn't help but to compare what I had observed in the two Islamic stronghold countries that I had visited, Iran a few years back, ...

2 comments:

Biometric Fingerprint Reader Software Replaces Passwords

Tuesday 22 November 2011 , 1 Comments


How many times have you gotten a message that your password is not secure enough? When you set up new accounts practically on any site it begs you to add any weird symbol you can to the mix to make it stronger, but thinking in terms like "df4ta6%&@" are too complicated to remember and just plain annoying. Besides, the more complicated we make our passwords, the more often we forget them. This prompts us to request a password reset. How could that possibly be effective? Here's an idea. Why not use fingerprint reader software as a form of identification?

With biometric security, your office files and clock-in are secure and accurate. You no longer have to fear identity theft or tampering. There is a lot less stress involved with just having to place your finger on a scanner. You don't have to remember anything. The scanner will already have your profile so it does all the work.

The other benefit is how accurate your work shift will be with a biometric time clock. You will get paid exactly as you deserve. You will not get frustrated having to make corrections over email or in person. You get security that your hard work is noticed. There is little to no error as there is with manual password logins.

All-in-all, there are countless benefits to upgrading office software to include biometrics.


by FingerTec USA

How many times have you gotten a message that your password is not secure enough? When you set up new accounts practically on any site i...

1 comments:

Get a Fingerprint Door Lock If You're Home Alone

Kevin McCallister could have saved himself a heck of a lot of effort if he had a fingerprint door lock. All of those traps he planted around the house to prevent a robbery by the "wet bandits" must have been a real pain to clean up after the whole debacle. Of course, life in the early 1990s was not as advanced as it is today. And if for whatever reason you want your home to feel safer when everyone's out and away you can depend on finger scanner technology to deny door access to any strangers.

Biometric technology has surfaced as one of the most reliable forms of security. It has proven to be reliable in offices when it comes to door access and employee clock in software. So much so that it is even being implemented for personal use at home. When you buy the H2i Home Package from FingerTec you get not only the door lock, you get the emergency break glass, a rechargeable backup battery, a key switch, and more!

With a finger scanner installed you can still use your original door locks, just consider this an addition to the safety of your home. The system is very easy to install and it's just as easy, if not easier, to operate. It can be used on the main entrances, bedroom doors, home studios, garages, etc. It's an all-around smart device to own.


by FingerTec USA

Kevin McCallister could have saved himself a heck of a lot of effort if he had a fingerprint door lock . All of those traps he planted aroun...

2 comments:

Economic Crisis Yet Again?

All eyes are on Euro Zone crisis. If the dangling Greece debt turmoil could not find its way out which seems quite likely, the crisis which has been plaguing the Euro Zone could be spiralling as an enormous hurricane that would hit the world's economy anytime soon. This pessimist analysis by some experts masks the world's economy with a layer of dark clouds.
Belt tighten during downturn?

When some companies look out the window, frown at the gloomy skies and decide to cut costs to prepare for their years ahead, thankfully our plans for next year would not be affected.

We have hired more programmers to speed up our research and development works; aggressively preparing for new software and hardware products for the coming years. We continue to recruit a few more technicians and we have extended the support hours to include midnight to early morning, and with this decision, we have reduced the gap of 'support staff unavailable online' to three hours a day, and prolonged the technical assistance to 19 hours per day.

If the sky is gloomy, it's alright, have your umbrella ready. We are not immune from the economic slowdown. When the subprime crisis hit in 2009, our turnover was recorded only slight increase as compared to the previous year, but while being prudent we carried out all activities like normal and we didn't even cut the annual trip to Shanghai.

This year, as usual, our staff who receive an incentive trip to Gold Coast, Australia is about to depart this evening. On advertising and promotion, we just signed up for advertisement packages on two prominent security magazines, A&S International and Detektor International for the whole of next year, and we plan to take part in more than ten tradeshows worldwide.

More new products are in our pipeline, with one particular 7-inch touch screen new iKiosk that runs on Android platform to excite everybody and I. This would mark a new milestone to our product line, because besides the bundling of standard applications, customers can now have more control of their own terminals, and download Apps they feel useful from the Google Android Apps Store. It would serve as an amazing administration kiosk that does multiple purposes for office environment.


Artist impression for our upcoming new iKiosk

When you are a start up company, struggle is normal even during the economic booming years. But for established companies, if you are only making good money during good times and losing money, having to cut costs and retrench workers during bad times, then I don't think you are competent enough companies.

To continue making money during bad times, a company should take various aspects other than only sales figures into account during good times. Instead of focusing on only sales growth, one should think of its biological growth as well. Without one holistic perspective, your business field may remain barren even during the harvest season.


by Teh Hon Seng, CEO, FingerTec HQ

All eyes are on Euro Zone crisis. If the dangling Greece debt turmoil could not find its way out which seems quite likely, the crisis whi...

1 comments:

Why The Finger Scanner Is The Most Popular Biometric Technology

Tuesday 8 November 2011 , , 2 Comments

Biometric recognition technology uses a person's anatomical or behavioral characteristics as a method for accurate identification. It has advantages over ID cards and passwords because the individual must be physically present during the identification process. The technology was created to prevent impersonation and identity theft in an age where the internet and computing technology runs practically everything. So what makes fingerprinting an ideal method of identification?

Fingerprints are absolutely and undeniably unique. We have the pattern of ridges on each fingertip that cannot be replicated by any simple means. Fingerprint classification has proven to have a high rate of success in identification in numerous applications. There are other forms of biometrics, such as DNA, but there are reasons it's not as feasible to use.

Although DNA is the most accurate form of identification, it can be easily acquired and used. So, in a sense, it has a higher potential for identity theft. Finger scanner technology also can be programmed to detect moisture and temperature so it will only allow access to a live present person.

Fingerprints are also very simple for users. The most common prints are the index finger and the thumb. Biometric time clocks can therefore be used very quickly and easily when employees are waiting to sign in and access the building. It is an easy process that does not detract any work time. The software will even track breaks for accurate listings of work hours.

The technology is non-invasive and it's safe. It works as an extra security measure without impeding on anybody's comfort level concerning privacy. It keeps that happy middle ground.


by FingerTec USA

Biometric recognition technology uses a person's anatomical or behavioral characteristics as a method for accurate identification. It ha...

2 comments:

User Generated Content: Ingenious Strategy or Simply Insane?

Thursday 3 November 2011 , , , 2 Comments




We are going back and forth on this idea of letting customers discuss about our brand freely in the social channels and new media. On one hand, we are excited to find out what’s being said about the brand, on the other we have a great amount of fear that the move would bring a colossal disaster to the brand we’ve spent years building. Every product has its weak points and if these points are stressed too much, would they affect the brand adversely? 

Considering what I’ve read and known, user generated content or UGC has an impactful influence on customer’s decision-making process. From a trivial buy like movie tickets to a more significant purchase like buying a car or booking a vacation, other customer’s opinions matter. Moviegoers swear by Rottentomatoes reviews; anything that is less than 60-70% average user rating would not entice them to catch the movie. Recently, when I wanted to buy my first Kitchen Aid, I Googled about the machine, contemplating the good, the bad, the ugly before making any decisions five days later. When it is very easy to get opinions from people who have bought and experienced the products, the decision-making process is very much influenced by those (opinions). Even when it involves buying a new apartment or a new car for example, the owners’ say matter in addition to opinions from experts. 

Now, control is very important when it comes to leaving the floor to the audience to discuss about your brand. If it’s not controlled properly, it could do more harm than good. How are we making sure that the competitors are not contributing to the discussions and dropping vindictive remarks along the way? Are the ones who provide the comments users of the product or just random visitors whom based on their experience with other similar products want to vent their frustrations? 

One thing for sure, contributors do not like to be deleted or denied an opinion if you have comment removal as part of the plan. So long as the comments are fair and not overbearing or breaking any laws, it should be permitted to appear on the sites. Presence of some negative comments also provide consumers with a feeling of trust in the genuineness of the feedbacks. Nonetheless, when the control is favoring the supplier too much, consumers are not getting the real picture of the brand. The question is, how to let go without losing control?

Whatever the issues are, we’ve got to start. When the online market is available 24/7 all year long, somehow or other the brand is going to get discussed somewhere. If we are not opening any channels to know what’s being said about us, the discussions are still going on, the brand is still being discussed over conversations and we miss the opportunity to listen and improve on our products and services. 

FingerTec is looking into incorporating UGC in our websites. One key to successfully letting go of the control to the user is to start small and manageable. Another is to be responsive and ready to engage and address consumer’s concerns. When we’ve gained enough experience, perhaps we could attempt something complex. In the meantime, let us start with baby steps towards acquiring UGC. 

by Norana Johar, COO, FingerTec HQ

We are going back and forth on this idea of letting customers discuss about our brand freely in the social channels and new media. On one ha...

2 comments:

Biometrics Are A Huge Step Forward For Security and Identification

You may have noticed that in the last few years people have been jumping on the biometrics train. It makes business run smoother. It has multiple applications, from organization, to security. For example, a biometric time clock will check-in employees each morning and check them out as each day comes to a close. It can track breaks, it can organize schedules. It will do the work for you, and be able to give you accuracy for employee paychecks based on clocked hours. The fingerprint door locks keep offices and homes safe. They have a database with records of the accessible fingerprints.

What we are seeing now is a rise in the complexity of these machines. Biometrics are the future for airport security and home security. With touch screen devices we will start seeing the fingerprint as a replacement for autograph, or at the bare minimum be an added security feature to coincide with our autographs. This is not science fiction. This is the future. Biometric technology can record fingerprints, facial structure, and iris patterns.

If you are going to stay updated with technology, biometrics are a start. Get your office a few fingerprint time clocks and keep a look out for the latest software.



by FingerTec USA

You may have noticed that in the last few years people have been jumping on the biometrics train. It makes business run smoother. It has mul...

2 comments:

New Media -- You Are What You Write?

Friday 28 October 2011 0 Comments


Content is King said Bill Gates some 12 years ago and I concur. And true enough content is much more urgent in the new media now than ever with the flooding of smart phones, tablets and digital devices the world over. A friend of mine bought a Playbook and couldn’t stop cursing it for the lack of contents; she ended up using the Playbook as a digital photo frame placed in the bedroom. The demand for interesting apps grew spectacularly when the iPad and Galaxy Tab were introduced into the market. Google and Wiki has become common terms to mean looking for information in the Internet. Though not all information gathered via Google is reliable, it provides vast amount of information from various sources. 

When Steve Jobs passed away, the news hit the world like a storm, everybody tweeted the about it, Facebook walls were filled with condolences, blogs started talking about the great man he was, news portals filled with stories about him. Contents about Steve Jobs were churned and dug swiftly to satisfy the audience who were waiting to read more about the man who gave more meaning to the letter ‘i’ . The world literally stopped to announce his passing and I’m pretty sure “Steve Jobs” was the top Google search word the next couple of weeks following the news. 

Probably the most searched and displayed photo for the past two weeks

Nowadays, news is not lagged anymore. It’s all realtime. I was so shocked to read the tweet that Guiliana Rancic, my favorite E! News newscaster, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer when she was going for fertility treatment. And I received the news the same time the Americans did. The news drove people to search for information about breast cancer and its possible treatments. 

When news is literally at your fingertips, you are indeed what you write. People tend to believe what’s being written out there. As celebrities, it’s impossible to shy away from all the publicity irrespective of the truth but as a brand of a product, you can create and recreate your brand’s image away. 

Audiences relate through actual experience, real participation. Renowned brands like Adidas and Nike promote healthy lifestyles by organizing marathons and sports related events, inviting interested groups to talk about in the social media and the new media. Cosmetics like Elizabeth Arden highlight cancer awareness by printing the logo on the product packaging. Timberland, an active outdoor sports brand stresses on the importance of recycling with the introduction of their Earthkeepers line that use recycled materials for shoes.

What’s your brand’s cause? What does your brand stand up for? Apart from placing importance on the products, people relate better with causes and real participations. And while you are at that, write away and improve that brand’s image simultaneously.

by Norana Johar, COO, FingerTec HQ

Content is King said Bill Gates some 12 years ago and I concur. And true enough content is much more urgent in the new media now than ever w...

0 comments:

Go Wireless With Your Fingerprint Attendance Systems and Locks

Thursday 20 October 2011 , , 1 Comments

It's the age of wireless technology. Wires are so last century. If you want to get some really cool office gadgets, consider Fingertec's wireless biometric time clocks and door locks. They offer time attendance, door lock, and access control fingerprint systems. The benefits of wireless models is that you can update them remotely, not having to relocate them to a computer for connectivity. Of course, you still have the option of USB connectivity if you are having issues with your internet being down but it definitely would save you the trouble to go wireless. Even through the wireless features, the security of the finger scanner is thorough with access control models. They curb unauthorized access via a keyless device.

The wireless features are only one convenient aspect of these models, too. Many of these machines also have multiple verification systems to boost their ease of use and customizable systems. You can use fingerprint scans along with work codes and RFID cards. The software is easy to understand and you can set features to track employee movement.

Wireless technology is a huge benefit. Considering the fact that being able to change the device even when you're not near it means never having to worry in case of emergencies, it is worth the investment.


by FingerTec USA

It's the age of wireless technology. Wires are so last century. If you want to get some really cool office gadgets, consider Fingertec&#...

1 comments:

What About Changing The World

Wednesday 19 October 2011 , , 0 Comments

We all know that a great man has died earlier this month. We have little doubt the company he led; Apple Inc would overshoot Exxon Mobil to become the largest market capitalization company in the world anytime soon. We all know the reactions to his death were awe-inspiring, with mourners leaving candles and flowers outside Apple stores around the world and the Internet was humming with tributes.  As consumers, we all like the gadgets that the company produces be it iPod, iPad, and iPhone that are managed by iOS, iTunes and iCloud.

Yes, Steve Jobs indeed was a great man, and he had made the world a better place with his incredible electronic products. But if anyone says that he had changed or reshaped the world, I think it is an overstatement. Without Apple, the world would still be conquered by smartphones, tablet PCs, cloud technology, voice-command devices and digital music players, perhaps by different brands with a slower pace. Jobs perfected these gadgets; either he took the lead or fell behind in the game, eventually he succeeded in arousing consumers with a vast magnetic impact to the market.  

Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

The Economist concluded that Steve Jobs had ignited a revolution in sparking a trend towards personal technology. The weekly also praised his non-engineer background as an advantage, which redirected him to be obsessed with product designs and aesthetics, and made advanced technology simple to use. He took the readily available yet half-baked ideas i.e. the mouse driven computers,  the digital music players,  the smartphones,  the tablet computers – and he showed the rest of the industry how to make them properly. In the process, he triggered upheavals in computing, music, telecoms and news business that were painful for incumbent firms but were welcomed by millions of consumers.

He combined an emotional spark with computer technology, and made the resulting products felt personal. Despite all these achievements, he still didn’t change the world even if his fans would like to think so.

If I have to quote a person that had really changed the world in the modern history, Sir Timothy John Berners-Lee would definitely be the person.  Born in 1955, the same age as Jobs, he is a British computer scientist and MIT professor, credited as the inventor of the World Wide Web, making the first proposal for it in March 1989. On the 25 December 1990, with the help of Robert Cailliau and a young student at CERN, he implemented the first successful communication between Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) client and server via the Internet.


Sir Timothy John Berners - Lee (1955-      )

How the Internet has changed the entire world since then? How many Internet giants have emerged or companies like Apple have reemerged on the foundation of the World Wide Web? It is needless to mention because the rest is history. Although Berners-Lee is the director of the World Wide Web Consortium (M3C), which oversees the Web’s continued development, and holds many other positions as far as the Internet is concerned, he remained anonymous to many people. If he has to claim IP rights over the Internet licenses, he would probably become the richest man on earth.  

When we mourn Steve Jobs, we shouldn’t be overzealously deified him and forgetting the real heroes behind all his successes. I always feel that changing the world shouldn’t be our ambition. Anyone can make the world a little different, but it should come with the intention to make the world a better place. Sir Isaac Newton who discovered the gravitation had changed the world, and Albert Einstein who developed the theory of general relativity also had changed the world. Those incidents were accidental without an attached ambition to start with. A man who had the ambition to only change the world could become as ruthless as Hitler.  

We are not that ambitious to be as great as Steve Jobs, but we can make little positive differences in the company or in the industry we serve. And with all the little differences we gathered over times, we could improve our products to be great products and help our company to emerge as a great company, and eventually we could become a great person in the process. That’s the way FingerTec soared beyond Biometrics.


by Teh Hon Seng, CEO, FingerTec HQ

We all know that a great man has died earlier this month. We have little doubt the company he led; Apple Inc would overshoot Exxon Mobil to...

0 comments:

The H2i Fingerprint Door Lock For The Home

FingerTec has the perfect package for home security. The H2i fingerprint door lock is an ideal model for home use because of its ease of use and  small size. Biometrics are a smart decision for home access, since the only people you want getting into your home are your family and those you invite. This ingenious system was built so that you and your family can sleep soundly. Your home is a sacred place and you want to keep it that way! With biometrics you can't go wrong.

The H2i has a very easy interface and can store up to 1500 fingerplate templates and it comes with five complimentary RFID cards should you get tired of having to use your prints. It is also a voice-guided system and comes with a manual to explain how to enroll user access. The home package has a tamper-free controller called AdapTec Plus which you should store away from the terminal for total control of the system.

The fingerprint reader software can be used for main entrances as well as door access to the garage, studio, what have you. It keeps small children out of harm's way in rooms with hardware or tools, like a workshop. It's applicable wherever you may need it.


by FingerTec USA

FingerTec has the perfect package for home security. The H2i fingerprint door lock is an ideal model for home use because of its ease of ...

1 comments:

Charity Work

An audit officer from the Brand Award Committee asked us whether we were committed to any charity work in the past three years. And if yes, they needed us to show them proof. In fact, I kept no proper receipts even though we have regularly donated to some organizations and on and off sponsored some charity activities.


Back in the day, I came across bitter experiences when soliciting donations during my school days. “Can my donation be exempted from tax?” was the very first question most company bosses that we approached would ask even though they donated to our extra-curricular activities.

During my university years, the funds allocated by the authority to each society were peanuts for the whole year’s expenses, far too low to meet the balance for the largest and most active society, which I joined and was a committee in my sophomore year. And the state-owned university made the fundraising harder when all societies were prohibited to open their own bank accounts, and all public donations had to go to a centralized university account.

Channeling the donated fund back to your society was the hardest process, we needed to file a lot of papers and answered a myriad of queries; furthermore the Student Affair Council had the rights to redistribute your fund to other societies.  Even when you were lucky, the “discounted” fund would reach you definitely long after the activities had ended.

To solve the ‘problem’, we had to use our personal bank accounts when soliciting donation. There were some donors who agreed to donate without tax exemption letter but they would eye us suspiciously when we told them to issue the cheque to a personal account. As a result, we always had to work harder or on a tight budget to support our activities. 

Hence, when big corporations make some annual tax-exempted donations usually to the orphanages and old folk homes, or much willingly participate in some high profile charity events that would be placed their photos in the papers, I choose to donate to societies and activities that are under privilege and low profile, or to some NGOs that promote human rights or some minority rights programs. And of course, the society that I joined during my university days is also in the recipients list. But it was sad to learn that after so many years, their predicament persisted. 

Yes, I have more to say when it comes to charity work as part of the integral social responsibility. For example, the world applauded the formation of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation initiated by Microsoft boss Bill Gates with an endowment of USD33.5 billion as of 31 December 2009, to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty, and in America, to expand educational opportunities and access to information technology. Nevertheless, I still think it would be better if Bill Gates can do more with the resources his company owned.   

Become a philanthropist only after retired?

In fact, the devotion to charity work shouldn’t have come only after Bill Gates retired from his corporate life. It can always be a part of it. For instance, why not have Microsoft give away their older versions of the operating system and software to the people of the poor countries to narrow the digital gap between the rich and the poor? As Microsoft has still been dominating the PC market in the last two decades, this would be a more practical aid to help the world.

You might be a nobody or a somebody, you might earn only a little or you might be a multimillionaire, but when the conscience bell is tolled, don’t wait until someone entices you with a tax exemption letter, and don’t wait until you become a retiree; contribute in whatsoever way that fits you. Just like the Google Executive Wael Ghonim took the online activism to a new level when the revolution erupted in Egypt earlier this year, he doesn’t wait when his countrymen needed him.

And, I joined the Bersih 2.0 mass rally to call for a cleaner and fairer election in Malaysia on 9th July. Who says a Chief Executive Officer can’t take part in a street protest?

by Teh Hon Seng, CEO, FingerTec HQ

An audit officer from the Brand Award Committee asked us whether we were committed to any charity work in the past three years. And if yes,...

0 comments:

Biometric Software Is Gaining Favor

As with all new technology, biometrics is establishing an identity with audiences. Industry leaders understand that in order for a technology to really be accepted by the public and to mainstream effectively its benefits and potential must be well explained. People define identity as a very personal thing. The idea of technology recognizing features can be misconstrued as invasive, but this really isn't the purpose.

Biometrics are intended to make life easier. Iris and fingerprint reader software are meant as a convenience and as a security measure. The potential of biometrics is astounding. For business it saves time, it saves money, and it keeps everything organized. Employees can rest assured knowing that their payroll will be accurate because of the biometric time clock and bosses don't have to fumble with human error conflicts. Even office security is enhanced. With a fingerprint door lock you know that your hard work is protected and that your office remains a safe environment.

Finger scanner software can be applied to many things. It's just the gateway access point for approving any number of beneficial tasks. It can eventually be mainstreamed to allow doctors and pharmacists to approve prescriptions, students to access universities, computers and personal computing items to identify owners, etc. As long as it is paired with well-constructed matrices, it takes convenience and ease of use to a new level.


by FingerTec USA

As with all new technology, biometrics is establishing an identity with audiences. Industry leaders understand that in order for a technolog...

4 comments:

Everybody Needs To Do A Noodle Dance!

1 Comments

Anybody who has kids that watch Disney channel would know what is a Noodle Dance. When PB & J otter stumble upon a problem, they would do a Noodle Dance to find the answer, and all the cute little kids around the world would dance with them to find the solution. And at the end of the dance, they would find the answer and everybody will end up being happy. The dance was created to promote rational thinking in kids.

But, what about us, adults? If one thinking process is equivalent to one Noodle dance, how many times do we Noodle dance a day?

Technology has made our life simpler but it shouldn’t make our society dimmer. One fine day and this is a true story, I asked a fellow colleague a ‘tricky’ question. What is the sum of 3x3+3? She thought for a while before grabbing her calculator and giving me the answer very slowly like she was second guessing herself. What have we become? A simple equation like 5+5 also requires an iPhone 4’s calculator to answer. We rely too much on Wikipedia, we chat with too much nonsense and short forms on social media and in the process of all these, we refuse to think.

We can’t separate thinking from our lives. Ideas make the world interesting and ideas, no matter how small, is never trivial. Thinking process and rational thinking are very important in building a healthy society and a healthy company. Physical exercise is always emphasized on these days, but what about mental excersize?

At FingerTec, we even have a channel for employees to submit any new ideas in return for a monetary reward.  We want to create a culture where thinking processes is not only relevant to the top management; it should be relevant to all levels. The questions include how to make our work better and contribute more to the progress of the company and the brand we are working for.  A logistic staff could contribute ideas concerning the packaging process, to reduce the time taken to prepare all items and to reduce the transportation costs for our clients. Work process could be made simpler and better when thinking processes take place.

Whenever a question is thrown at you, the worst answer you could give is “I don’t know” This shows the level of commitment you have into something you do and how you refuse to use your brain in the process.

When we were younger, our parents did their best to make sure that we have the best brain in the world. Sadly, as we grow up, we tend to forget to use this very capable organ to better our lives.

So, what say you if we do the Noodle dance whenever you are stuck with a problem? 


by Norana Johar, COO, FingerTec HQ

Anybody who has kids that watch Disney channel would know what is a Noodle Dance. When PB & J otter stumble upon a problem, they would d...

1 comments:

Biometric Time Clocks and The Future Of Identification

Human beings have always been observant creatures. We once determined the identification of people purely through behavior, and by the way they looked and sounded. Then we began forensic studies. We learned that fingerprints are unique. so are the eyes. We took those as means for identification in cases where we needed more absolute evidence. Then we created machines that could read ID cards.

As technology booms and life gets more complicated we are constantly shifting identity. Computers create profiles people use online to express any number of things. Computers are one way of assessing an individual's behavior.

Biometrics are the cutting edge of identification technology. A finger scanner can tell whether or not a person is authorized to access a room as well as positively ID someone currently in the database as a valid employee. Biometric time clocks can track work progress of the individual who has checked in. It makes an attendance system much more effective than it would be without the unique identification features.

And it's just the start. Biometrics are being used in all sorts of offices, airports, resorts, and more. They do not fail in the way that a person could with a photo ID. It's more in-depth and focused, assuring the best results.


by FingerTec USA

Human beings have always been observant creatures. We once determined the identification of people purely through behavior, and by the way t...

1 comments:

Who Is Your Customer?


Who is your customer? I still remember this question asked by the consultant who coached us to obtain the ISO 9001 certification in 1998.  

Our staff knew the customers well enough to blurt out their names effortlessly. The consultant then stopped and questioned one staff, asking him whether his daily duty was to serve the customers directly, or some other immediate “customers” within our own company? After one round of the same question, our staff finally found that indeed, they had “customers” within the company as well. Even the sales and technical staff that are constantly in contact with our regular customers have other “customers” that serve their priority list within our organization.

Definition of Customer

So, who IS your customer? Eventually, the answer points to your superior within your department, or the peer that you report to in the next department. Anyone who demands something from you is your “customer”. Anyone who has some expectations of your work is your “customer”. The job you’ve just completed and handed over to the next guy - this next guy is your “customer”.

You have to ensure that the quality of your job consistently meets your "customer’s" requirements. I like this definition of CUSTOMER in a wider context. We often hear companies claim to deliver quality products that meet customer satisfaction as their mission statement, but more often than not, we see finger-pointing flying around, with blame for other departments or co-workers for some fault or the other. If the internal “customer” satisfaction couldn’t be achieved within a company, the mission statement is just another blurt-out slogan without any substance.

When our ISO 9001 certificate expired in 2007, I decided to forgo renewing it as the changes and growth in our internal quality system is occurring way too fast to be picked up by the documentation requirement of the ISO 9001. In my view, it wasn’t a big deal to acquire the certification - our blood constantly flows strong with quality management regardless.

This Monday, a group of officers under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia came to our office to conduct an audit-visit, as part of their procedures for the Brand Excellence Award short-listing companies. After the factory tour, one officer observed and mentioned that we should have implemented the 5S methodology. My response to her was that as of now we don’t specify, we have learned and adopted all kinds of good practices that benefit the brand.

With Matrade Brand Excellence Award audit committee 

And that’s the concept of Jeet Kune Do that I have written about in my previous blogpost , ….. style without style, moving fluidly instead of following rigid styles and patterns.

Yes, learn how to satisfy your other “customers” within the company; only then will you achieve the real satisfaction for your customers in a broader perspective.

by Teh Hon Seng, CEO, FingerTec HQ

Who is your customer? I still remember this question asked by the consultant who coached us to obtain the ISO 9001 certification in 1998....

0 comments: