Security smart cards using biometrics are taking off in high profile projects such as military applications.

The biometric technology using the smart card is the latest development of 4c Security Solutions, formerly BQT, in close relationship with Universal Smart Cards.

The biometric system allows a fingerprint stored on the smart card to match the live scan of the person using the biometric reader at the point of access to a building.

BQT write a biometric template on the card which permits access if the template and fingerprint match.  BQT also supply an alternative facial recognition.

By using the biometric and card as one, which in the case of BQT and Universal Smart Cards is a Mifare Desfire card, checks can be carried out locally and more quickly than the alternative of a biometric check on the server.

Said Peter Gaymor, Managing Director of BQT:  "Applications have extended from Mifare Classic to Mifare Desfire cards due to the incredible excitement offered by triple Des encryption using the Desfire card.

"This has opened up high profile sites including military applications throughout the Middle East.  The use of the technology to provide access solutions in other high rise buildings, such as offices and shopping malls, has also helped to extend BQT and Universal Smart Cards into a growing number of major global markets."

Universal Smart Cards has been supplying BQT for the last eight years and during that time the access solutions company, based in Twickenham, has gone from strength to strength, more latterly with Mifare RFID cards.

"Both Universal Smart Cards and ourselves have grown alongside each other in a relatively short space of time," said Peter Gaymor.  "We enjoy a special - and successful - commercial relationship with Universal Smart Cards who know our business inside out and support our requirements on a global scale.

"We work closely together to supply the market with the best possible security products and eight years on both Universal Smart Cards and BQT are bucking the current recessionary trend and actually moving forward in major global markets.  The Mifare Desfire card is a great product for us."

BQT, with overseas offices in Dubai, Australia and USA, has established itself as a leading supplier of access security solutions for the control market.  Most of the solutions systems are based on contactless Mifare technology smart cards.

For BQT, Universal Smart Cards has a large stockholding of smart cards which they can ship next day.  The card types range from Mifare 1k, Mifare 4k, the new Mifare Plus range and now the very latest Mifare Desfire EV1 range - believed to be the most advanced contactless smart card in the world today.

"Quality manufacture of the cards and shipping on time are two points that are taken very seriously at BQT - a great amount of time and effort has been put in place by Universal and ourselves to support these issues.

"This is what we value and regard as the best possible customer service," said Peter Gaymor, adding:  "Delivery and card quality have to be consistent at all times."

He went on:  "Universal Smart Cards has helped us through the technology curve whenever we have migrated to newer products in the market.  This involves so much technical support and assistance as well as sourcing samples and keeping us up to speed with developments from NXP.

"When they are under pressure to focus on shipping, we have found that Universal Smart Cards make it so much easier in taking this particular problem away from us.

"Stocks are always readily available and I don't have to worry about keeping high levels of stock which is a cash flow drain.  Universal Smart Cards is a one-stop shop for stock.

"They care about our business which is why we have stuck with them through thick and thin - and particularly through a gruelling recession which isn't over yet.  They keep us in regular contact with what is happening in the smart card marketplace and on our behalf they frequently ship direct to our Sydney office in Australia.

"The Mifare RFID cards which Universal Smart Cards supply have evolved to the extent that for certain customers they are able to be embedded into a smart card with the gold contact chip into the Mifare contactless card.

"This therefore enables two technologies, both contact and contactless, to work in tandem on one card, providing multi-application cards for our prime markets which are cashless vending, ID, pc log-on and car parking photo copying," he added.

For further information on the range of smart cards available contact Universal Smartcards on 08452 300 07808452 300 078 or through the web at www.usmartcards.com