Schneider Electric South Africa has introduced the Harmony biometric switch: an industrial switch using biometric fingerprint recognition technology in order to grant employee access to sensitive areas and machine functions.
According to product manager, Ralph Real, the biometrics integrated in the Harmony key switch combine user-friendliness (no key, badge or password to be lost, forgotten, stolen or copied) with a high level of protection through fingerprint recognition.
“It offers the industrial sector increased productivity by reducing maintenance and operating costs and, at the same time, prevents unauthorised operation. Based on fingerprint recognition, Harmony is a competitive alternative to the weaknesses of the other access control systems. Simple, reliable and efficient it enables the restriction of access to sensitive zones and machine functions such as starting, resetting, adjustment and maintenance, to only authorised personnel,” he explains.
Designed to operate independently, the switch is simple to set-up since both parameter set-up and registration/recording are done directly on the sensor. The fingerprint recognition sensor utilises optical technology that provides an excellent quality image and the robust design allows easy integration in industrial applications.
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