Axeze have been announced as finalists in three different categories of these highly esteemed awards.

In the categories of Wellness, Industrial and Digital Home, Axeze and their solutions are achieving recognition.

The awards are to be at L’Aqua Hotel in Sydney’s Darling Harbour on the 16^th of September 2010. An Electronics News Future Award is the perfect recognition of electronics vision, design and development. It is a way to show the industry leaders in revolution.

HOME TOYS

Energy management through home security

Dimi Kyriakou | 11 November 2009

 As it becomes more important for home automation to be both impressive and functional, Dimi Kyriakou reports on an emerging trend to integrate security systems with energy management.

The installation of a reliable security system is always important, considering that thousands of dollars are easily spent on the latest technologies for a dedicated home theatre. But something as common as home security can also be expanded to look out for the environment as well.

Ness national intel systems manager Greg Kingsley says it’s essential for people to integrate security into their home so it not only protects their family but also provides a functional home automation system.

“Security is a bit like insurance,” Greg says. “No one really wants to spend a lot of money on it, but it’s becoming a necessity to have it.

“At the same time you can tie in some home automation functions and get the best of both worlds. You have a powerful security system, but you’re not paying for something that you don’t want and it’s not considered to be a burden.”

He says a home security system can range from something simple like controlling a garage door, to the more complex option of managing lights in the house. But it still has to be simple enough for the home owner to use.

“Our system has lots of user interfaces. It can start off with a basic keypad and expand to have iPhone interfaces, touch screens or telephone control.

“There’s not much point installing a security automation controller if it’s difficult for the customer to run and they need to do a training course to learn how to operate their own system. We make it easy for the customer to use, but at the same time make it powerful enough for them to get the benefits and features that they’re looking for.”

Axeze chief executive Shelley Elder says biometrics also plays a vital role in home automation.

“It saves time and money because we work longer hours and the demands on our time seem to constantly increase. The greatest feature of the automated society is that it reduces the stress imposed by our fast-paced lifestyle.”

Axeze’s latest products in biometrics revolve around the measurement and recording of biological data, which is mostly used in personal identification.

“We have a computer lock which only unlocks my computer with my fingerprint and we are also looking at a range of wireless technology products.

“We expect to release two new ECKey technologies that integrate with your existing door. After a one-time registration, your phone will automatically lock the door when you leave, and unlock the door when you return,” she says.

“People think of automation as being electrical gadgets, but it’s far more. It is about the environment, saving energy in as many ways as possible and taking shortcuts that benefit us and our lifestyles.”

Both Shelley and Greg agree there is an increasing trend for security and biometrics to be integrated with energy management as rainfall lessens, water supplies dwindle and energy costs rise.

Greg says the combination of security with both water and energy conservation will give a customer better overall control of their home automation system.

“Motion detectors can be used to control lighting, provided that it’s programmed with the lighting and you make sure it doesn’t flood both systems. If there’s no movement in a particular room, it can automatically turn the lights off.”

Greg says water monitoring and power monitoring can be tied into other parts of the system, including thermostat, lighting and sprinklers.

“Smart water meters can show how much water is being used and feed this into the security automation controller. The customer can then set it up to do things, like announce how much water is being used and graph it to show the peak times it is being used.”

Home owners can then use these facts and figures to determine if they need to change parts of their lifestyle to become more energy-conscious, or if they’re happy with what they’re using.

“It’s really giving you control over the system. You can control how it works to save power and energy.”

One of Ness’s latest projects in energy conservation revolved around a Victorian school that wanted to ‘go green’.

“We installed a system that revolved around window and curtain control, depending on the temperature outside. During summer the windows can open to let a breeze through, automatically. The teacher can override this if they wish to of course, but it aims to open windows and cool down the classrooms rather than turn the air-conditioner on.”

Shelley also agrees that home automation systems are able to provide the added benefit of energy conservation.

“Electric curtains and blinds mean not only longer life for furnishings, but reduced overheads in keeping places hot or cold. You can tie it all together with energy management and water consumption. This includes monitoring the amount of power being consumed by certain power points and knowing when something is drawing excessive power,” she says.

“The worst thing that everyone feels is entering a freezing cold or boiling hot house. How much energy is consumed having these items turned on when no one is there? A far better idea is to turn them on as you leave the office or as you are driving towards home. Great energy saving.”

Although it’s becoming more popular for customers to integrate these automation systems into their home, consumers must remember that one of the biggest hurdles to overcome revolves around installation into an existing structure.

“Most lighting controlled systems are designed for new houses, so they’re a lot harder to retro-fit. It can be done, but it’s cost-prohibitive,” Greg says.

According to Ness, it’s important for consumers to look at their immediate requirements but make sure their home automation system can be expanded in the future.

“Most people install a security system initially and then add automation functions as time goes by. But if you pick a cheaper security system to put in, it’s not very flexible for people to add automation in at a later time,” Greg says.

“Make sure the system you select can be easily expanded in the future. Even if you save $1,500 initially, it’s always best to look at your future requirements and you’ll be better off in the long-term.”

ADVERTISER

SA innovator Axeze to market FaceID early next year

VALERINA CHANGARATHIL  From: The Advertiser

December 16, 2009 1:30PM

SA innovator Axeze will start marketing a new facial recognition system for controlled access to businesses and homes early next year in a bid to expand its offerings and become a bigger company.

FaceID is currently being integrated with Axeze's time and attendance and rostering system to diversify its appeal.

Hospitals, aged care homes, schools and manufacturing sites are likely to find the technology useful, Axeze chief executive Shelley Elder said.

"The system uses world-leading technology and offers ideal hands-free security,'' Ms Elder said.

Capable of storing digital profiles for up to 1500 unique faces, the device recreates a 3-dimensional image of an individual's face and analyses the results through a face detection algorithm to match the face to its internal database within minutes.

A finalist in the 2008 Telstra South Australian Business Awards, Axeze will set up a distribution channel for the product range early next year.

It has bought the distribution rights for the basic FaceID system for the Australian and New Zealand markets from a Chinese manufacturer.

"For Axeze, it means offering more specialty products and giving our regular clients, especially in the hospitality sector, more options,'' Ms Shelley said.

The Hindmarsh design and manufacturing firm launched the system at Melbourne's Digital Lifestyle Show.

Axeze also makes high-tech identification systems, including fingerprint scanning, Bluetooth and radio frequency identification systems.

AXEZE RELEASES ITS EASY PASSWORD CREATOR

28 February 2010

Axeze providers of  RFID, Bluetooth, facial and fingerprint recognition products supporting contact/less smartcard technologies offering reliability with a superior combination of strength, convenience and ease of use/installation are proud to announce the launch of their Easy Password Creator.

 According to the Oxford University Careful password naming/selection is important because “there are people out there who will attempt to find out, or crack, your password. Once they get your password, they can do awful things to any information stored in your account, on your computer/network or send embarrassing or offensive email in your name. Even worse, they may be able to do awful things to the accounts of other people on the system, or even break in to systems across the world from ours. So the argument, "I don't need a good password, I don't have anything in my account, anyway" doesn't work.” 

System security is everyone's responsibility.

 Passwords are part of our everyday life, and these days with identity theft, care with storing, recalling and making passwords is paramount.  Some of the reasons we need passwords include:

• to prevent unauthorised access to important information
• to guarantee security of personal information
• to prevent unauthorsed access to user accounts, such as computer and email accounts
• to be able to use various Internet services securely

Many places insist that you provide a password that proves you are who you say you are, Ebay, banks, computers, security systems and more. Should someone else steal your password, he or she can masquerade as you, which means the intruder would then have access to your files, your e-mail, your funds, your personal information, and more.

A stolen password gives others the power to:

• Modify or destroy your files.
• Send electronic mail threats in your name.
• Subscribe to unwanted services for which you will have to pay. 

Today people are storing their passwords on their systems in encrypted form. They run them through an encryption algorithm. To date there is not an algorithm that can take a password in encrypted form and give back the original password, therefore not even the System Administrators know your password, but passwords crackers are different. 

Crackers do not find out your password just by asking, they use specially designed software to Crack or breach password security. These programs take strings of characters and encrypt them, compare the encrypted text against your password in encrypted form. If the two encrypted versions are the same, then the string of characters is your password. They try a combination of letters from your name, address, date of birth etc.  Then the look up a "dictionary" containing words from all languages, place names, people names, names of characters in books, jargon, slang, and acronyms and then try variations on those words. They try every combination you can imagine. For these reasons it is very important that you never use any password based simply on a word and for this reason we have introduced our Easy Password Creator.  

Crackers are very fast, in most cases, simple passwords can be deciphered in a minute and often less and if a hacker were able to access even one user name and password, depending on the user, almost all information on the network would be vulnerable.  It is imperative that a strong policy is developed. 

But how do you set up a good password methodology? 

The Easy Password Creator is for all of us who need to constantly remember passwords, or have to constantly change them.  It is very difficult to think of, and then recall a later date, a 20 character number that is non sequential, or to change passwords every month with a totally new password.  

Installed on different computers within an organization, no two passwords are ever the same.  The password can be up to 20 characters in length and a combination of characters, special characters and numbers.  This password can then be stored in an encrypted biometric protected computer file, if desired, using one of our computer login products with password encryption. 

Life for Systems Administrators and It Managers is much easier, as Axeze provides enhanced computer and network security. Axeze are proud to announce that we have different products for different applications from personal use to highly complex and secure use for governments and large as well as small organizations. 

Easy Password Creator, combined with our computer login product, offers an ideal solution to recalling or designing passwords and people can establish certain parameters so that the passwords do not even have to be remembered.  This could be as easy as “Com Bank 12 Feb 2010”, changed some time in March to “Com Bank 15 Mar 2010”, and these parameters known only to the users.

About Axeze Pty Ltd
Axeze researches, designs and develops and sources the manufacture or RFID access control systems and resells a range of fingerprint recognition hardware and software products. Its mission is to provide advanced recognition products and solutions to customers who need enhanced security in identity management. With a combination of their own products and with partners like Futronic Technology, Hanwan etc., Axeze provide recognition products and solutions for physical and logical access control, computer and network logon, identity management and E-commerce. For more information, please visit www.axeze.com.au or phone +61 8 83408200.

Axeze Releases its COMPUTER LOGON SYSTEM  FS80

Enhanced ID Security for Computers and other equipment

4^th February 2010

Axeze providers of  RFID, Bluetooth, facial and fingerprint recognition products supporting contact/less smartcard technologies is proud to announce the launch of its fingerprint-logon product (which supports Windows based operating systems).  Designed to protect sensitive information, prevent unauthorised access, loss or misuse of data and save money.

Robert Westervelt, News Editor Search Security reported on 25 Jan 2010 that “the cost of a data breach increased for the fifth straight year to $204 per compromised record”. This amount may seem small as an individual cost, but think of a government department or mining business and you could be talking millions of dollars.  Worse still think about the cost of sensitive information placed in the hands of the wrong person.

Axeze FS80 fingerprint logon product combines Futronic fingerprint authentication software for Microsoft Windows Logon control with their proprietary fingerprint recognition technology to control access to a computer to files and directories.

To logon to a computer a user simply places their finger on the scanning window of the biometric reader.  The biometric reader is attached to the computer to logon to the computer or Active Directory of Windows Server.  The Password is replaced by a fingerprint.  But if you want even greater security a password in combination with a fingerprint provides two factor authentications. 

Imagine the hours saved, which can mean thousands of dollars, for Systems Administrators and It Managers as this product provides enhanced computer and network security. We are proud to announce that we have different products for different applications from personal use to highly complex and secure use for governments and large as well as small organizations.

For personal users, this product offers easy Logon control using fingerprints, and best of all this software is free, but you will need to contact Axeze on bizdev@axeze.com.au to purchase your hardware.

For corporate customers logging onto a Server using a fingerprint in a networked computers environment there are two components, Client and Server.

• The server component works on Windows with Active Directory Schema Extension technology and integrates seamlessly with Active Directory.  
• Client component works on any operating system.

Once it is installed in the client computer, all domain users can logon Active Directory by a finger touch. Installation is very easy and can be set up and running in 2-3 hours. We charge a per user license fee for this commercial software, so you only pay for the number of users, no setup fees, bundles fees, hidden or additional fees, so this solution is highly cost effective.

Two free software tools are also available with our products and these provide more secure and convenient computing environment:

• One Touch Password Filler -- It can replace any "username + password" pair by a finger touch when logon to any Windows and Web-based software.
• Fingerprint File Encryption -- It can encrypt and decrypt both files and folders by a finger touch.

Both share the fingerprint database so it is only necessary for users to register their fingerprints once.

About Axeze Pty Ltd
Axeze researches, designs and develops and sources the manufacture or RFID access control systems and resells a range of fingerprint recognition hardware and software products. Its mission is to provide advanced recognition products and solutions to customers who need enhanced security in identity management. With a combination of their own products and with partners like Futronic Technology, Hanwan etc., Axeze provide recognition products and solutions for physical and logical access control, computer and network logon, identity management and E-commerce. For more information, please visit www.axeze.com.au or phone +61 8 83408200.

AXEZE LAUNCHES FS25 USB2.0 FINGERPRINT MIFARE CARD READER/WRITER

17^th February 2010

Axeze providers of  RFID, Bluetooth, facial and fingerprint recognition software and hardware products supporting contact/less smartcard technologies are proud to announce the launch of the of FS25, an RFID USB Fingerprint Mifare Card Reader and Writer. Now we can support both contact and contact-less smart card together with Fingerprint authentication and FS25 works perfectly with our FS82 USB Fingerprint  ISO7816 Smart Card Reader and Writer.

FS25 combines fingerprint "Match on Device" and ISO14443A Mifare card Reader and Writer into one compact device. It supports both 1KB and 4KB Mifare card and is perfect for real two-factor authentication, what you own(finger) is matched with what you carry(Mifare card), because fingerprint data can be stored to Mifare card.

Mifare is a 13.56 MHz contactless technology owned by Philips. It complies with ISO14443A - the industry standard for contactless smart cards. Mifare cards are powered by an internal antenna as the card moves into a magnetic field. Mifare has proven popular as the card to use in ticketing and low value transactions.

By storing the finger print on the card, we eliminate any possible privacy issue because it is not necessary to store users' fingerprint data anywhere in the system for authentication. An SDK is available to customers to make their own two- factor authentication application.

The benefits of Mifare cards include

• the card can be used for multiple applications.
• secure encryption prevents unauthorised access to information stored on the card. This makes it extremely difficult to copy a Mifare card.
• being contactless, there is reduced maintenance required for card readers as well as less wear and tear on the cards.
• the Mifare chip can be embedded in alternatives to cards; such as fobs or watches.
• Mifare cards do not need to be inserted into a reader, instead they only need to be presented within the range of the card reader. This will allow read and write operations to be performed.
• each card has it's own unique card serial number.
• can be used in a wet environment as card reader card be sealed.

At the time of authentication:

• User shows the Mifare card and FS25 reads the fingerprint data stored in card,
• Then put finger and FS25 scans the fingerprint image.
• FS25 matches the scanned fingerprint with the fingerprint data read from the Mifare card.
• The matching result is sent to PC for authentication.

This combination Fingerprint recognition and RFID, is the most popular combination for personal identification. FS25 is the first USB product in market that combines RFID and biometrics into one device. This shows the long-term commitment of Axeze and our partners, to provide high performance, secure but convenient personal identification solutions to the market.

The most popular access control systems of today combine biometrics with fingerprint identification, due to its superior combination of strength, affordability, maturity, convenience and ease of use.

FS25 can be used in various physical and logical access control application and we believe it provides extra value to our partners and customers worldwide.

About Axeze Pty Ltd
Axeze researches, designs and develops and sources the manufacture or RFID access control systems and resells a range of fingerprint and facial recognition hardware and software products. Its mission is to provide advanced recognition products and solutions to customers who need enhanced security in identity management. With a combination of their own products and with partners like Futronic Technology, Hanwan etc., Axeze provide recognition products and solutions for physical and logical access control, computer and network logon, identity management and E-commerce. For more information, please visit www.axeze.com.au or phone +61 8 83408200.

Axeze Blue™, world-first hands-free, keyless entry system launches at Digital Lifestyle Show, Melbourne

Article from NewsMaker.com.au

Adelaide-based Australian access control and security technology innovator Axeze will launch Axeze Blue™ at the Digital Lifestyle Show, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne, October 30-November 1 (Stand D66).

The patent-pending system turns any Bluetooth device into a key, eliminating the need to hunt for keys – simply walk or drive up and the door or gate opens. The device is typically managed from a mobile phone but any Bluetooth-enabled device can be used, says Axeze CEO Shelley Elder.

“Who hasn’t wasted time and energy looking for their keys?” Ms Elder asks. “With Axeze Blue™ all you need when you leave or enter your house is your phone. In fact you can use the same phone to access all your doors and gates – at the office, at home, at your holiday home or your parents’ house. It just dramatically reduces the stress of managing keys.

“You can even use the service to manage other products in the home with Bluetooth, giving you full home automation from your phone.”

Axeze Blue™ requires no software installation, you can add an electronic lock and register up to 20 Bluetooth-enabled devices. The lock and phone can be hidden, and 128 bit encryption adds the highest level of security.

“Now you don’t need to risk leaving a key under the mat or making multiple keys, you can simply assign temporary Axeze Blue™ access to your visitor’s mobile."

Here’s how it works: Connect Axeze Blue™ to your electronic door lock, gate, alarm system or garage. Pair your phone or other device with Axeze Blue™ using your PIN.  You can set the range up to 10 metres to trigger the door, gate, or garage to unlock on approach but Axeze recommends additional security by using a PIN on your phone as you are ready to enter the premises.

“With Axeze Blue™, your mobile becomes a single electronic key for your house, garage, gate and alarm system,” says Ms Elder.  “Your front door unlocks as you walk up, and the alarm system disarms. There’s no need to press buttons or turn keys. You can drive up and your Bluetooth car kit uses Axeze Blue to open the gate or garage door. Axeze Blue is powered by ECKey."

For businesses, Axeze Blue™ can be used standalone or with a centralised access control system managed at the lock. There are no cards to administer, no keys to manage, all you have to do is register each employee’s phone. Larger companies can integrate the Axeze Access Control system using their Wiegand tags, Axeze proprietary tags, smart cards or fingerprint readers, or Axeze can design a customised interface.

“The system is useful for clubs and gyms as there are no keys or tags to distribute or manage,” Ms Elder added.  “People rarely lose their phones and there is no cost involved in replacing or issuing keys, or tags.

“The software allows you to manage access rights centrally but distribute them wirelessly and remotely. It can provide access rights for a specific phone for a specific lock for a defined period.”

Features

• No visible item for vandals to attack
• Invisible to sniffing or replay
• 128 bit encryption
• No cards or fobs to distribute or return
• Configurable range from 0.5 metres to up to 10 metres
• Passive or active entry
• Works on all Bluetooth devices including mobile, iPhone, PDA, headsets, car kits
• No software to install on the phone
• Drive up authentication
• Standalone or integrated into Access Control systems

About Bluetooth

Bluetooth is the ideal technology for a mobile phone locking solution because it is a global standard that has high adoption rates and low battery use. There are no usage charges and it provides location based services (1-100 meters), enables one key for .many locks (unlike most tags) or enables many keys for one lock.

About Axeze – Protecting your lifestyle

Protect your identity, property and data with Axeze. Axeze is the Australian leader in high-tech identification systems, including facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, Bluetooth and radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. Using Axeze products, you can control access to your computer, home, business, plant or equipment.

The following products will be on display at the Digital Lifestyle Show:

• Axeze Blue™ is a patent-pending solution that uses Bluetooth to turn your mobile into a key for all your doors.
• FaceID™ is a complete facial recognition system for access control, time and attendance tracking.
• Computer Log uses state-of-the-art biometrics to protect access to all your data.
• Easy Password Creator creates and remembers unique passwords, making your life easier! 
• No more searching for keys, passwords, and roster sheets - Axeze puts ID control at your fingerprints.

For more information or stockists: Phone +61-8-83408200 Fax +61-83408211
Email info@axeze.com.au  - Web www.axeze.com.au

About ECKey

ECKey Corporation www.eckey.com is the market leader in the field of Bluetooth design and development that enables any Bluetooth enabled device to act as a secure key to unlock your car, house, garage door, office, alarms, or access control system. ECKey’s intellectual property is the software and electronics within the EK product series that is installed with an electronic lock.

The company was founded in 2005. Dr Nick Willis, Director and CEO, identified a growing need for divergent innovative mobile applications for the ever present mobile phone. With a strong commitment to research and development, ECKey is working to expand the potential for solutions in electronic security markets. ECKey is selling its products in over twenty different countries through the security industry and is in discussions to integrate this technology with several international companies.

ECKey was the Winner of ISC West 2009 “Best New Access Control Product”. ECKey was a Finalist in Access Control Product of the Year 2008 and 2009 at IFSEC UK.

Contact Details

Leila Henderson
Ph:      08 7129 6411
Mob:    0414 69 70 71
URL:    http://www.axeze.com.au
Email:  editor@newsmaker.com.au

Axeze launches FaceID™, solves 'cold finger' problem for access control

Article from NewsMaker.com.au

Adelaide-based Australian access control and security technology innovator Axeze launches FaceID™ at the Digital Lifestyle Show, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne, October 30-November 1, Stand D66.

FaceID™, the world’s first embedded facial recognition system, uses a unique Dual Sensor™ facial recognition algorithm to make facial registration and recognition faster and more accurate than ever before.

The system incorporates adaptive source-light technology to work under different lighting conditions and is backed up by powerful software that includes Time Attendance Setup, Access Control and User Identification.

"FaceID™ is suitable for businesses, hospitality venues, nursing homes and any area that requires secure access,” says Axeze CEO Shelley Elder. “The device can replace cards, keys and clocks.  It also solves the 'cold finger' problem which can render fingerprint scanning systems ineffective in cold environments."

The software incorporates access control, time and attendance reports, making it easy to identify people entering your premises or home; allocate entry privileges; and record time of arrival and departure. The system can equally allow or bar particular people.

Processing and matching is carried out within milliseconds, right on the device, with real time execution. The system enables voice prompts and hands-free operation, making it ideal for environments where hygiene is a critical factor.

"In today’s world, where the spread of infectious disease is a major concern, FaceID™ is the reliable answer,” Ms Elder says. “FaceID™ achieves all this at a low cost, giving Australian businesses, households and health facility operators access to world-class Facial Recognition and Access Control systems at a fraction of the cost of existing systems.”

About FaceID™

FaceID™ is designed for offline access control and attendance management in enterprises, public institutions, hospitality premises and homes where there is a strong requirement for secure access.

FaceID™ incorporates 600MHz TI high-speed DSP, 3.5 inch TFT colour screen, an attractive design, and phonic broadcast. The device supports both TCP/IP communication and USB port for uploading and downloading information.

Large user and log capacity

• User capacity from 500 to 1400
• Over 150,000 logs and optional image capacity over 70,000

Reliable performance in different environments

• Different source-light technology
• Different light conditions, even in the dark

Extensive market testing

• Flexible I/O interfaces
• Internet Protocol based, enables LAN or Network deployment 
• USB Host for User data upload or download via USB flash driver 
• Wiegand output makes system compatible with different access control panels

User friendly design

• 3.5 inch colour screen for face positioning
• Contactless authentication for the ultimate in hygiene 
• Voice prompt

Other Functions

• Multi authentication method so it can work with Facial, RFID Cards, Cards+Facial
• Low power consumption, 12 Watts in operation, less than 5 Watts in resting mode

About Axeze – Protecting your lifestyle

Protect your identity, property and data with Axeze. Axeze is the Australian leader in high-tech identification systems, including facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, Bluetooth and radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. Using Axeze products, you can control access to your computer, home, business, plant or equipment.

The following products will be on display at the Digital Lifestyle Show:

• Axeze Blue™ is a patent-pending solution that uses Bluetooth to turn your mobile into a key for all your doors.
• FaceID™ is a complete facial recognition system for access control, time and attendance tracking.
• Computer Log uses state-of-the-art biometrics to protect access to all your data.
• Easy Password Creator creates and remembers unique passwords, making your life easier!

No more searching for keys, passwords, and roster sheets - Axeze puts ID control at your fingerprints!

For more information or stockists: Phone +61-8-83408200 Fax +61-83408211

Email bizdev@axeze.com.au  - Web www.axeze.com.au

Contact Details:

Tarryn Grygiel-Elder
Ph:      +61 8 8340 8200
Mob:    +61 4 289 29393
URL:    http://www.axeze.com.au
Email: bizdev@axeze.com.au