Viisage Technology acquires Biometrica Systems
MARCH 22--Viisage Technology Inc. (Littleton, MA; www.visage.com), a manufacturer of biometric face-recognition technology and identification systems and solutions that enhance consumer convenience, improve security, and protect personal privacy, has acquired Biometrica Systems (Mont Vernon, NH; www.biometrica.com, supplier of facial-recognition software to casinos around the world, including casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, as well as in Canada, Japan, and Europe.
Biometrica runs the Surveillance Information Network--a network that connects member casinos so that information can be quickly and easily exchanged among casinos and retrieved for future use by the casinos. Included in the Surveillance Information Network is the ability to exchange facial-recognition-ready images for fast identification of known cheats.
In addition to supplying software, Biometrica Systems has invented the BiometriCam--a camera that has all the facial-recognition software built into it. The camera is a compact, stand-alone device that plugs directly onto an Ethernet connection. Software is automatically downloaded from a server to the camera, so operation is totally unattended, and the camera is constantly alert and checking for people that might be on a database. The camera can be integrated into other devices for unique application development.
According to Tom Colatosti, CEO and President of Viisage Technology, "As a major Viisage reseller, Biometrica has used our algorithms and software to open and dominate a market. It has international recognition for its market penetration and innovative solutions."
The acquisition was completed on March 18, 2002, as a stock purchase deal, valued at about $2.5 million. Biometrica face-recognition revenues were nearly $1 million in 2001 and are expected to accelerate significantly in 2002 and 2003.