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Intersec 2017 shines spotlight on emerging technologies as Middle East outpaces global growth in biometric solutions A Dubai university’s cloud-based biometric time attendance system is growing in popularity across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), as the regional education sector joins other industries adopting new technology to boost safety and security.  The Hult International Business School in Dubai was the first to test Swiss company TBS’s (Touchless Biometric Technology) 3D technology to record class attendance via a wirelessly connected kiosk and a touchless fingerprint sensor at the entrance of each lecture room, ensuring all students sign-in, even if they’re late. Instant synchronisation with real time control Alex Zarrabi, CEO of TBS, said the successful installation on the Dubai campus served as a persuasive example to Hult’s other locations, spanning over three continents; its readers are now installed in Hult campuses in London, Boston, and San Francisco. “All four sites on three continents are synchronised instantly, giving the college real-time and global control on their time and attendance data for all their students,” said Zarrabi, who will showcase the TBS 3D-Terminal and other biometric access control solutions at the Intersec trade show taking place in Dubai in January 2017.  “The TBS solution allows seamless monitoring of student transfers between campuses, allowing for instant automatic and accurate tracking across different time zones. The benefits and its ease of use have convinced many universities. It’s not only solving attendance for Hult, but also for other prestigious colleges in the Gulf, such as Umm Al Qura and Hail universities in Saudi Arabia, and more than 1,000 schools for the Ministry of Education in Oman. This list is constantly growing,” he said. TBS is one of many exhibitors showcasing biometric and cloud-based security solutions at Intersec 2017, the world’s largest trade show for security, safety, and fire protection, which takes place from 22-24 January at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.  Rise of new technologies The rise in emerging technologies comes as the global market for biometrics systems is expected to reach US$24.4 billion by 2020, according to research firm MarketsandMarkets, growing annually by 18% between 2015 and 2020. Analysts from TechNavio forecast that biometrics in Middle East will grow faster at 19% annually up to 2019. The rise in emerging technologies comes as the global market for biometrics systems is expected to reach US$24.4 billion by 2020 Zarrabi said the rising popularity of biometrics in the Middle East is down to several factors: “The Middle East is a world-leader in biometrics, regardless of economic ups and downs,” he said. “There’s a higher awareness about safety and security issues and consequently customers plan to allocate the corresponding budget. Additionally, Tech-savvy GCC governments have an inclination for convenient modern solutions based on biometrics and allow their widespread usage”.  Widespread usage of biometric solutions Added Zarrabi: “Biometric readers can be used not only for monitoring attendance, but also for regulating access to secure locations. Industries range from Energy sector, Corporations, Healthcare, Government, Education, Finance, Airports and more.” “TBS readers can perform both functionalities simultaneously, logging time and granting access. One example is Abu Dhabi Media Company, which uses 3D touchless finger scan on speed gates at the entrance. In one go, both attendance is logged and access is controlled.” Another exhibitor at Intersec 2017 with a wide range of biometric solutions is Matrix Comsec from India, which returns to launch its COSEC DOOR FMX, a high-performance Door Controller with a multispectral sensor that reads wet, dirty, elderly, and oily fingers. Sagar Gosalia, Senior Vice President for Marketing and Sales at Matrix Comsec said that the company’s biometric Access Control and Time-Attendance solution is hugely popular in the Middle East and African market: “The last 12 months have been quite exciting for us,” he said.  “We’ve successfully executed a few major projects across the Middle East, installing Time-Attendance and Access Control solutions for Paris Group and Dulsco in Dubai, the United Development Company and Qatar Metro in Qatar, Khimji Ramdas in Oman, Al Mujdui in Saudi Arabia, and the Kuwait Oil Corporation in Kuwait.” “We’ve been a growing player in the Middle East and Africa, and would like to continue the same trend for the upcoming year. We aspire to grow at an average rate of 40% over the coming years,” he added. CLOUD based Access Control System Elsewhere, WatchNET from Canada is another exhibitor launching a CLOUD based Access Control System and Integrated Security Solution at Intersec 2017. Sathish Arya, General Manager for WatchNET in the Middle East and Africa said: “The Middle East market is good for video analytics as the demand is growing with an increased accuracy of products / solutions. As far as the Biometric market is concerned, it is growing faster in eGovernance & Identification solutions.” "Biometric technology andthe use of cloud-based securitysystems are the latest trend ineffective and efficient access control solutions" “We’ve received large and multi-location projects across the GCC, including more than 100 petrol stations, jails, and around 1,600 locations of integrated access control & CCTV solutions across the region. We’re experiencing 20% CAGR every year in Middle East.” Other exhibitors at Intersec 2017 specialising in biometric and cloud technology include AllGoVision from India, UAE companies Al Asma Technology, CP Plus, and Hanwha Techwin; Polish manufacturers Digital Guardian and Easy Clocking; Suprema from Korea; and Iris ID from the USA. Intersec 2017 Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organiser of Intersec, said: “Intersec, as the premier business networking and trade event for the safety, security and fire protection in the wider region, has served as a regional bellwether and launch pad for many new technological innovations.” “Biometric technology and the use of cloud-based security systems are the latest trend in effective and efficient access control solutions worldwide and will be showcased for the benefit of regional trade buyers.” In its 19th edition, Intersec 2017 will feature more than 1,300 exhibitors from 52 countries, while over 31,000 visitors from 128 countries are expected to attend as they seek the latest solutions across seven show sections of Commercial Security, Fire & Rescue, Safety & Health, Homeland Security & Policing, Perimeter & Physical Security, Information Security, and Smart Home & Building Automation. Save Save

The market has vigorous economic growth, high acceptance towards biometric solutions and a demand for high-end technology Rapid economic development and increasing security concerns is turning the Middle East into a market of ‘untapped growth potential’, said the boss of one of the world’s leading providers of biometric security and access control solutions. Adopting new identification technologies Young S. Moon, Executive Vice President of Korean company Suprema, said regional governments and corporations are adopting new identification and authentication technologies to boost defences against potential fraud, cyber-threats, and organised crime. Biometrics are based on individual behavioural and physiological characteristics that are difficult to replicate, with various system technologies encompassing voice, retina, facial, vein and gait recognition, along with fingerprint matching, and DNA identification. Middle East governments along with a large number of industry sectors, including banks, aviation, oil & gas and retail, are embracing the new technology, making the region a high-focus area for international biometric systems solution providers. Middle East as key market “We consider the Middle East as a key market with untapped growth potential,” said Moon, whose company is among more than 100 international exhibitors specialising in the latest biometric security systems at the upcoming Intersec 2016, the world’s leading trade show for security, safety, and fire protection. “The market has vigorous economic growth, high acceptance towards biometric solutions and a demand for high-end technology.” Suprema will launch at Intersec 2016 its BioStation A2, a leading-edge fingerprint access control and time and attendance system. Moon said Suprema will look to build on the success of the last 12 months across the Gulf region, where it installed six biometric system projects in the government, education, and aviation sectors. “The Middle East is of strategic importance to Suprema,” added Moon. “Our products and solutions are developed to address large or small business needs covering a vast array of industry segments. There are a number of factors that contribute to instability, whether fraud, cyber-threats or organised crime.  Suprema offers next-level biometric security solutions that directly respond to these threats.” Increase in global biometrics systems market According to a May 2015 report by research firm MarketsandMarkets, the global biometrics systems market is expected to reach US$24.4 billion by 2020, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.9 per cent between 2015 and 2020. Analysts from TechNavio forecast that biometrics in Middle East will grow even faster at a CAGR of 19.35 per cent over the period 2014-2019. That will come as good news to AllGoVision, an advanced video analytics solution provider, and another exhibitor that specialises in biometrics at Intersec 2016, which takes place from 17-19 January at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. AllGoVision will showcase its 3D Facial Recognition System, which uses facial recognition technology via IP video surveillance to compare facial features with a database of stored facial features to identify potential threats – or a VIP customer. Ashwin Amarapur, Director of AllGoVision, explained: “In city surveillance, the 3D Facial Recognition System is used to identify Black Listed people or known criminals, but in the case of hospitality or banking the use relates more to ‘White Lists’ – for example, visitors identified as a VIP guests or high net worth individuals. “The bank or hotel service staff would be alerted of their arrival in advance and can take necessary care of the valued customer or display an automated welcome note in the electronic board at the entrance,” added Amarapur. Matrix Comsec at Intersec Elsewhere, Matrix Comsec, an access control and surveillance solution provider, is returning to Intersec 2016 following their successful participation in 2015, where they secured business from the National Bank of Umm Al Quwain, having installed Time and Attendance Systems across the UAE bank’s entire branch network. The Indian-based company has also been involved in setting up surveillance and biometric access control systems across the Gulf region in the last year, including for the Kuwait Oil Company, Paris Group in Dubai, and Vodafone in Qatar. Abhay Joshi, Business Manager for International Security Sales at Matrix Comsec, commented on the future of biometrics in the Middle East:  “Biometric technology has many advantages over traditional RFID card and password in terms of security and the ease of use that it provides.  The new technology has found various applications across different verticals and is replacing the traditional security measures at a fast pace.” Exhibitors at the event Other headline exhibitors at Intersec 2016 with biometric security solutions include the Dubai-headquartered Business Automation & Security System (BASS), Iris ID from the USA, Swiss company Touchless Biometric Systems and WatchNet Access from Canada. “In the not-to-distant future, everyone in the Middle East could soon replace pin codes with finger prints or Iris scans at an ATM when withdrawing money,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organiser of Intersec. “The possibilities offered by biometric security technologies are vast, whether for government purposes or for the various range of industry verticals, and they’ll all share the spotlight when Intersec returns in early 2016.” Now in its 18th edition, Intersec 2016 will feature more than 1,300 exhibitors from 52 countries, spanning over 50,000sqm.  The annual showpiece event focuses on the six core sections of Commercial Security; Information Security; Fire & Rescue; Safety & Health; Homeland Security & Policing; and for the first time in 2016, Smart Home and Building Automation.

Alarm companies including ADT Security, Advanced Alarm, Complete Security and Fire Safety Systems came out in support of the event TRI-ED Buffalo recently hosted its first annual Classic Car & Motorcycle Show. Over 75 customers attended the event, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Project. Local alarm companies including ADT Security, Advanced Alarm, Complete Security and Fire Safety Systems, to name only a few, came out in support of the event. Customers were treated to a BBQ dinner as they enjoyed the 24 classic cars on display. Tim Labenski, TRI-ED Buffalo's Branch Manager, credits his Inside Sales Associate, Mike Katashuk, with spearheading this effort. “Mike came to me with the idea, knowing that many of our customers enjoy their classic cars and motorcycles and thought this would be a great avenue for them to showcase them and raise money for a great cause," Labenski says. "As with all of our past events, we welcome our customers to bring their families and friends." Labenski also credits each of the sponsoring vendors who made the Classic Car Show possible: Digital ID View, DSC, FLIR, Interlogix, OpenEye, Speco Technologies, and Watchnet. "The vendor community is very good to us and without their continued support, events like this wouldn’t be possible," he adds. "The real winners today were the Wounded Warriors and we salute them for everything that they have done for our country."