Biometrics in Schools

Finally, we see some biometrics in action at a nontraditional location! The Edwardsville School District in Illinois has proposed to install visitor management and biometric Access Control in all of the district's schools! The $302,128 project was approved by the board and is set to be implemented within the next 18 months. The project will include:

• fingerprint verification for access to secured areas


• visitor management (including sex offender checks)


• photo id cards for all employees

It is fantastic to see approval and acceptance on this scale, let's just hope the PTA and the community organizations respond positively to the technology, which is sometimes construed as "invasive" and unnecessary. I feel like the best fit location for any access technology is a state-supported school system. The safety of children in schools should be paramount in our priority list.

ID Shop has implemented the Waypoint Visitor Management system successfully with the Rock Hill, SC school district and has had positive feedback from the employees, although the community seems to have a hard time grasping the benefit vs. the apparent inconvenience that is sometimes felt when a new visitor has to log in using a state-issued ID card.

Congratulations to the vendor on the Illinois deal. May we all see many more!

MTB