The plusID product line consists primarily of handheld biometric tokens and supporting management software. The tokens provide for individuals the ability to access existing physical access devices (i.e., door readers, etc.) by selecting the appropriate button on the token and then swiping their finger across the sensor. Internally, the devices support the same technology as smart cards and proximity cards, allowing them to be used in existing infrastructures that support those technologies. Additionally, the devices also all support USB-based communications, for connectivity to PCs or other devices, where they again identify themselves as a smart card and can thus be used as such.

A key feature of the card is its self-contained nature; the necessary data for the fingerprint recognition is stored directly on the device itself, and not in any external database (i.e., the fingerprint data itself never leaves the card). Manager software provides the ability to enroll a user on a device (a process that the vendor states takes about 2-3 minutes per user, requiring that they swipe their fingerprint three times), as well as load the device with the card ID data so that it will be recognized as a Smart Card on the receiving end, and program the four buttons on the device to match the applications it will be used for (a single token can hold the data of up to four proximity cards). To use the device, the user presses the appropriate button, swipes their fingerprint, and then on an authenticated match the device will automatically transmit the authentication credentials to the receiving reader/access station.

Three devices are currently offered in the product family (plusID 60, plusID 75, and plusID 90), with all supporting the features above via 125 kHz RF proximity card technology, 13.56 MHz RF contactless smart card technology, ISO 7816 Part 3 Smart Card compliance, and USB support. The plusID 75 adds to this feature set support for Bluetooth communications and support for one-time password use (an LCD and audible alarm is included on the device and the device can be configured to display the OTP for direct keyin, or to transmit the OTP wirelessly); while the plusID 90 augments all of the above features with support for 802.15.4-based in-vehicle gate access at distances of up to 100 meters (the vendor's Privaris Lane Transceiver, a separate interface component for gated systems, is also required to enable this feature).

Other features of the devices include FIPS 140-2 Level 3 compliance, out-of-the box support for Microsoft Certificate Services, and battery life of about 1,000 uses per charge (can be charged via USB or a wall charger).

New in the latest plusID release is an updated plusID Manager, which is now available in a Professional Edition especially suited for large deployments (including multi-client support, import/export of employee records from physical access control systems, a key server, and reporting enhancements); and a new "Logical Access Support Package" especially targeted to small businesses, that enables token based logons on stand alone PCs.

The plusID product line is available now. Pricing is approximately $115-150 per plusID token, depending on model. Visit the vendor's Web site for further information.