Biometric identification - advantages

There are a number of advantages to this technology:

• Biometric identification can provide extremely accurate, secured access to information; fingerprints, retinal and iris scans produce absolutely unique data sets when done properly
• Current methods like password verification have many problems (people write them down, they forget them, they make up easy-to-hack passwords)
• Automated biometric identification can be done very rapidly and uniformly, with a minimum of training
• Your identity can be verified without resort to documents that may be stolen, lost or altered.
Biometric technology on the leading edge
Some leading edge applications:
• Fingerprint scanners (and the necessary software to store and compare fingerprints) have already been installed in laptop computers and PDAs like the iPaq.
• Sensors installed in automobiles can identify the driver, and adjust mirrors, seat positions and climate controls.
• Special readers can measure various elements of hand geometry, comparing the result with data on file for each person (See Biometric Hand Reader for an example.)
• Surveillance cameras can search crowds for missing persons or criminal suspects.
• Face recognition software can be modified to recognize gestures, leading to improved assistive technologies for quadriplegic patients.


Biometric identification systems
Biometric identification systems can be grouped based on the main physical characteristic that lends itself to biometric identification: •

Fingerprint identification
Fingerprint ridges are formed in the womb; you have fingerprints by the fourth month of fetal development. Once formed, fingerprint ridges are like a picture on the surface of a balloon. As the person ages, the fingers get do get larger. However, the relationship between the ridges stays the same, just like the picture on a balloon is still recognizable as the balloon is inflated.
• Hand geometry
Hand geometry is the measurement and comparison of the different physical characteristics of the hand. Although hand geometry does not have the same degree of permanence or individuality as some other characteristics, it is still a popular means of biometric authentication.
• Palm Vein Authentication
This system uses an infrared beam to penetrate the users hand as it is waved over the system; the veins within the palm of the user are returned as black lines. Palm vein authentication has a high level of authentication accuracy due to the complexity of vein patterns of the palm. Because the palm vein patterns are internal to the body, this would be a difficult system to counterfeit. Also, the system is contactless and therefore hygienic for use in public areas.
• Retina scan
A retina scan provides an analysis of the capillary blood vessels located in the back of the eye; the pattern remains the same throughout life. A scan uses a low-intensity light to take an image of the pattern formed by the blood vessels. Retina scans were first suggested in the 1930's.
• Iris scan
An iris scan provides an analysis of the rings, furrows and freckles in the colored ring that surrounds the pupil of the eye. More than 200 points are used for comparison. Iris scans were proposed in 1936, but it was not until the early 1990's that algorithms for iris recognition were created (and patented). All current iris recognition systems use these basic patents, held by Iridian Technologies.
• Face recognitionFacial characteristics (the size and shape of facial characteristics, and their relationship to each other). Although this method is the one that human beings have always used with each other, it is not easy to automate it. Typically, this method uses relative distances between common landmarks on the face to generate a unique "faceprint."
• SignatureAlthough the way you sign your name does change over time, and can be consciously changed to some extent, it provides a basic means of identification.
• Voice analysis
The analysis of the pitch, tone, cadence and frequency of a person's voice
Biometric security and business ethics



A variety of ethical concerns with biometric identification methods have been registered by users:
• Some biometric identification methods are relatively intrusive (like retina scans)
• The gathering of biometric information like fingerprints is associated with criminal behavior in the minds of many people
• Traditionally, detailed biometric information has been gathered by large institutions, like the military or police; people may feel a loss of privacy or personal dignity
• People feel embarrassed when rejected by a public sensor
• Automated face recognition in public places could be used to track everyone's movements without their knowledge or consent.
There are also many questions about how this data will be stored and used:
• How will masses of biometric data be stored? These are not fingerprint cards stored in a secured building; this is easily moved and duplicated electronic information. How will this information be safeguarded?
• Who will have access to this information? Will companies be allowed access to face biometrics, letting them use security cameras to positively identify customers on a routine basis? How would you feel about walking into a store you've never been in before, only to be greeted by name by a sales associate who has just read a summary of all of your recent purchases?


For example, a fingerprint
scanner that cost $3,000 five years ago, with software
included, and $500 two years ago, costs $100 today.

Once long ago, when I was a little girl my father observed that if one was to start a business it was the safest to start it in the food space. Everyone has to eat so people would never stop buying and probably that would be the sector least hit by modern day phenomenon like inflation and the rupee going strong because of some sub-prime lending rate problems in a far of country like America, impacting the whole world with something like a toy remote control. It reminds me of the much publicized butterfly effect. Imagine people in one country balking at their mortgage payments leading to economic upheavals in another country which they have probably never even visited in their lives.


Nowadays whenever I pick up the Economic Times or the Business Line all I see is how one retail format takes on another and companies pumping huge money to enter this burgeoning sector. Funnily retail still hasn’t got an industry status, so no really effective metrics are in place for the calculation of the ROI in the sector. Innovative metrics like returns per sq.ft have evolved bearing testimony not only to the hyperactivity in the retail scenario but also the realty business.



Interestingly it’s not the dry groceries that have made the grade as the top earners but the fresh groceries. Heightened health consciousness and economic vegetarianism among urban dwellers has led to an increase in consumption of fresh foods in comparison to meat.



Foods allowed in the main vegetarian diets
Diet Name Meat
(includes fish)Eggs Dairy Honey
Lacto-ovo vegetarianism No Yes Yes Yes
Lacto vegetarianism No No Yes Yes
Ovo- vegetarianism No Yes No Yes
Veganism No No No No




Today, Indian vegetarians, primarily lacto vegetarians, are estimated to make up more than 70% of the world's vegetarians. They make up 20–42% of the population in India, while less than 30% are regular meat-eaters.


Surveys in the U.S. have found that roughly 1–2.8% of adults eat no meat, poultry, or fish. Hence we have a huge untapped and growing segment of population interested in quality fresh foods. there is ample scope for growth of retailers in this segment more so because of the varied needs of the customers who are increasingly becoming dependent on processed and semi processed foods, convenience foods (an innovative food segment evolved due to the time crunch of working professionals).soon private labels are going to take off in a big way even in the fresh foods segments.



INDIA –A COMPARATIVE OF EXISTING FORMATS IN THE FRESH FOODS SEGMENT


ITC’s CHAUPAL FRESH-positioning strategy-FRESHNESS,WIDTH OF CHOICE AND QUALITY ,store size in sq.ft -1300 ,% for fresh foods on shelf-100%,SKU-140-150 ,Footfalls-900 ,Conversion/avg ticket value-700/Rs 200 APPROX ROI/sq.ft-107/Sq.Ft

ADITYA BIRLA’s MORE,positioning strategy -CONVENIENCE AND QUALITY ,size in sq.ft 1700-2300 ,%for fresh foods on shelf-50% ,SKU-100-110 ,footfalls -850, Conversion/avg ticket value->700/Rs 250 APPROX ,ROI/sq.ft-Rs 98/Sq.Ft


RELIANCE FRESH,positining strategy PRICE PLAYER (10-15% DISCOUNTS IN EVENING), size in sq.ft 2000, %>% for fresh foods on shelf-20% ,SKU100-110, footfalls -1000, ROI/sq.ft ->800 Rs 350-400 Rs. 87.50/Sq.Ft



The higher average bill size for Reliance Fresh is primarily due to the bulk purchases of commodities like wheat oil and sugar. on the other hand ITC is concentrating on promoting its niche segments like exotic foods like passion fruit kiwis etc.More is competing with Reliance Fresh on private labels and its wheat (atta) is priced five Rs lower than that of Reliance Fresh. Also its operating on a two tier price spectrum for its private labels much similar to Tesco’s pricing strategy. It has named them as Reliance Value and Reliance Select. ITC however has been smarting in the sourcing and logistics field. After getting a license from APMC to procure directly from the farmers it gets fresh deliveries direct from the farms twice daily ensuring smooth replenishments. The farmers too are happy with the 10% premium they get over the market rates.


What is left to be seen is if there is an imminent shake out .Which companies will fold up and why? As for now it’s a level playing field with each company trying to leverage on its scalability strengths, and the consumers spoilt for choice with more and more players diving into the market for a slice of this sumptuous cake.