“Our focus is to reach out to tier-2 and -3 cities in India”–Ranjit Nambiar

Please throw some light on the latest developments in HID.

One of our recent innovations is the next generation access control readers and credentials based on the company's new iCLASS SIO technology-enabled (SE) platform. This platform initiates a significant transformation in how secure identity is delivered and managed by introducing technology-independent digital credentials that can be deployed for use on NFC-enabled smart phones and other mobile devices.

Other latest products include FARGO HDP8500 Industrial Series Card Printer/Encoder, a superior high-definition industrial ID printer for extended-run, high throughput credential personalization and issuance, and also FARGO DTC1000M Monochrome Printer/Encoder, a cost-effective ID card issuance solution for organizations such as casinos, financial services firms, small businesses and retailers, as well as for temporary ID badge applications.

Apart from new product development, HID Global has acquired EasyLobby early this year, combining the industry leader in secure visitor management solutions with the world's most comprehensive offering of physical access control and secure card issuance systems.

What are the channel strategies that you follow, specially pertaining to the India market?

HID Global empowers our channel to deliver our products to the market. We have several channel levels including, OEM, VAR, integrator/dealer and distribution. Within these segments HID Global partners with industry specialists in Physical Access Control (PACS), Logical Access Control (LACS) and Secure Issuance. We have a full solution launch that supports this go-to-market model, through our existing channels. They own the customer relationship and HID supports them with the products and solutions that meet their customer needs.

HID is also going the smartphone way. Kindly throw some light on the same.

Last year, HID Global has announced its next generation access control platform, which supports iCLASS digital keys and mobile secure identity on NFC-enabled smartphones. Users can use iCLASS SE digital credentials for door access by simply holding their NFC-enabled smartphone in front of a door reader. Additionally, smartphones carrying digital credentials can not only be used as keys or opening doors, they can also be used to make cashless payments and a variety of other applications.

 

One of first implementations of mobile access on NFC-enabled phones is the pilot at Arizona State University (ASU) in the United States. In August 2011, HID Global deployed iCLASS SE readers and HID technology-enabled locks to doors in a resident hall. A group of students and staff accessed the residence hall and resident rooms using HID Global's new iCLASS SE digital credentials embedded into a variety of popular smartphones connected to all major mobile networks.

HID Global sees significant promise for taking NFC technology beyond cashless payment into new, complementary physical access control applications. The industry has made great progress in moving payment applications onto NFC smartphones, and the next step is moving our keys and smartcards there, as well. As HID Global continues its commitment to innovation in secure identity, NFC smartphones represent a complementary new platform that HID Global believes will expand the access control market and the company's card services business while improving user security and convenience.

What are your future plans for the India market and globally? Please also mention your focus area in this financial year.

HID Global's future direction is being shaped by evolving market needs. In terms of future market drivers, we see a few key areas. The first is the impact of mobility on access control technology, fueled by the emergence of near field communications (NFC) and other technologies.

Another key development is the convergence of physical and logical access to create more capable, unified identity platforms. Thirdly, we are also seeing an acceleration of contactless smartcards technology and IP-based access control solutions for increased functionality and application convergence. And finally, there is growing demand for interoperable migration solutions and higher security to protect customers' technology investments. Each of these trends is driving significant new innovation as we strive to solve difficult customer problems, while differentiating our offering within an increasingly standards-based market environment.

There are two key focus areas this financial year; to penetrate into emerging vertical markets and extend our reach into tier-2 and 3 cities in India. In terms of vertical markets, HID's strategy is to focus on those verticals that we believe have strong growth potential, such as the enterprise, utility, telecom, transportation, building infrastructure, finance and government markets.

HID Global is also extending our reach to tier-2 and tier-3 cities such as Ahemdabad, Kochi, Coimbatore, Vizag, Jaipur, and Lucknow as we see a growing need for security solutions in these areas. However, technicians in these cities often have little knowledge on high security access control system. Therefore, HID Global is building a local distributor and system integrator network and provide them technical trainings for customer support.