BMS gives thumbs-up to acquisition of ISL

BMS Biometrics has snapped up biometrics software vendor ISL for an undisclosed amount.

ISL, which specialised in biometrics middleware, went into administration last month after it lost support from its venture capitalist backer.

The firm has been fully integrated into BMS Biometrics, which is owned by BMS (UK), a vendor that specialises in providing technology-based solutions to NHS organisations.

Tina Tsoukatos, managing director of BMS (UK), said the new firm is hoping to work with ISL's existing channel partners and wants to recruit new VARs to expand its reach into other vertical sectors.

"We intend to carry on addressing the NHS market, as it is an area in which we are very strong, but we are keen to work with ISL's partner network to take the technology into new markets," she said.

Tsoukatos added that the firm will look to expand its channel in the near future.

"Biometrics is still new enough to be exciting to customers. It takes away the hassle of remembering passwords when accessing a system, so we are confident there is a market for the technology," she said.

Clive Longbottom, service director at analyst Quocirca, said the market is not mature enough for biometric technology.

"With companies struggling with their basic IT security and paying scant regard to physical security, the thought of biometrics is too much for the mainstream," he said.

"The fact that most companies still allow people to walk into their premises with just a single security guard as their main form of security speaks volumes.

"We now have a raft of companies looking at Identity Access Management solutions, yet these still tend to be dependent on technology. Once we realise that we need full levels of physical, data and personal security, then we'll be ready for biometrics."

sara_yirrell@vnu.co.uk