Viisage’s IBT boasts 35 states now using its biometric solution for HazMat driver licensing
11 July, 2006
category: Biometrics, Government
Viisage’s Integrated Biometric Technology (IBT) division now controls 75% of the U.S. market for hazardous materials endorsed driver licensing systems. Illinois becomes the 35th state to employ the company’s technology as part of the TSA’s HAZPRINT program that establishes a nationwide system to collect and transmit fingerprint data of commercial driver license candidates seeking, renewing or transferring HazMat endorsements.
Viisage IBT Division Extends Hazardous Fingerprinting Capabilities to Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Commercial HazMat Drivers
IBT Holds 75 Percent of U.S. State DMV Contracts for HazMat Endorsements
NASHVILLE, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 10, 2006–Proprietary electronic fingerprint technology and background screening solutions provider Integrated Biometric Technology (IBT), a division of Viisage Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: VISG) today announced that the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles has chosen IBT as the state’s sole source provider for the HazMat program. Illinois will now participate in the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) HAZPRINT contract awarded to IBT at the end of 2004. The program calls for the collection and management of fingerprint and demographic data of commercial drivers license (CDL) holders who wish to transport hazardous materials.
IBT believes that Illinois is one of the top ten states in the nation in terms of the number of individuals holding a hazardous materials endorsement (HME), with 105,000 HME authorizations among their 465,000 commercial drivers today. Overall the contract potential for Illinois is approximately 10 million dollars over a multiple year period, with no minimum guaranty. As the TSA agent to state DMVs for the HAZPRINT program, IBT currently has greater than 75 percent of all state HME contracts, with Illinois marking the 35th U.S. state/ district to participate.
“IBT technology represents a quick, efficient and highly secure method for us to process HME applications and offers a high degree of benefit directly to our commercial drivers,” said Terry Montalbano, CDL Administrator of the Illinois Secretary of State. “The IBT service model and ability to support drivers throughout the entire process, from enrollment, to tracking, to renewal, is invaluable to our state and to the ability for our hazardous materials drivers to focus on making a living and leaving federal compliance up to us.”
To date, the IBT HAZPRINT program has processed credentials for over 193,053 drivers within the 34 entities (33 states and the District of Columbia) between February 2005 and June 2006. The IBT overall service model and ability to meet federal deadlines are believed to be key determining factors that led Illinois to select IBT as their vendor for the HAZPRINT Program.
“We are glad to see Illinois join 34 other states/districts in adopting the IBT integrated program for credentialing commercial drivers wishing to transport hazardous materials,” said Dave Barefoot, chief operating officer and senior vice president of the American Trucking Associations. “A centralized and coordinated nationwide program for the automated collection and transmission of fingerprint data is the best solution for our members as it provides not only lower cost of issuance, but enhanced security as well as increased convenience. Ideally we would like to eventually see all 50 states participating in this initiative. Furthermore, we believe that moving forward this program should be consolidated with TWIC as drivers and port workers would benefit from the economy of scale of a single provider which allows for streamlined application processes, reduced fees and enhanced quality of services.”
IBT HAZPRINT Offers Faster, More Efficient and Thorough HazMat Endorsements
The HAZPRINT contract establishes a nationwide program for the collection and transmission of fingerprint data of CDL candidates seeking, renewing or transferring a HazMat endorsement. The fingerprint data is used by the TSA to conduct background screening against potential HME holders as part of the security requirements associated with the Patriot Act.
Traditional “ink and paper” fingerprint systems require four to five months from application to issue. With the IBT automated system, drivers can be processed and issued an HME in just four weeks. In addition, the ability for IBT to track HME holders from beginning to end ensures that no one gets lost in the system and reduces potential security risks.
“Illinois is pivotal for us given the sheer number of HME drivers in that state,” said Charles Carroll, CEO of IBT. “A fully automated and secure system is something that driver’s need, not only to secure HazMat endorsements faster, but also meeting the bottom line in helping get them out on the road faster and doing their job more safely.”
Identity Solutions Leaders, Viisage and Identix Provide Added Value
IBT believes that the combination of IBT and Viisage, as well as Viisage’s pending merger with Identix Incorporated (NASDAQ: IDNX) were important factors in securing the contract win with Illinois. Today Viisage provides drivers license production capabilities to the state and Identix is contracted to provide other applicant fingerprinting as Illinois participates in the Civil ID and Secure ID programs. Following the anticipated closing of the pending merger of Viisage and Identix, IBT and Identix Identification Services, LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of Identix) are expected to establish a national network of over 360 registration sites intended to help position IBT for future state wins and programs such as the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
About Integrated Biometric Technology
Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Integrated Biometric Technology, formerly Fingerprinting Services LLC, provides electronic fingerprint products and service to the applicant fingerprint industry. Customers include state, US Federal Government agencies, as well as major banking and financial institutions. IBT was acquired by Viisage (NASDQ: VISG) in 2005. Visit us on the Web at www.integratedbiometric.com.
About Viisage Technology, Inc.
Viisage delivers advanced technology identity solutions for governments, law enforcement agencies and businesses concerned with enhancing security, reducing identity theft, and protecting personal privacy. Viisage solutions include secure credentials such as passports and drivers’ licenses, biometric technologies for uniquely linking individuals to those credentials, and credential authentication technologies to ensure the documents are valid before individuals are allowed to cross borders, gain access to finances, or be granted other privileges. With more than 3,000 installations worldwide, Viisage’s identity solutions stand out as a result of the company’s industry-leading technology and unique understanding of customer needs. Viisage’s product suite includes IdentityTOOLS(TM) SDK, Viisage PROOF(TM), FaceEXPLORER(R), iA-thenticate(R), ID-GUARD(R), BorderGuard(R), PIER(TM), HIIDE(TM), AutoTest(TM), FacePASS(TM) and FaceFINDER(R).
