Fingerprint semiconductor supplier AuthenTec has claimed that the UK is set for a biometrics boom as technology from the Far East arrives early next year.

Bill Dennehy, vice president of worldwide sales at AuthenTec, told CRN: "In the past, biometric devices have been seen as peripherals rather than being incorporated into devices.

"But now biometrics is coming of age as people are getting tired of so many different passwords for access control.

"Because price is coming down, more manufacturers are incorporating biometrics into their products, which means a wider choice for the channel."

The vendor, which has developed a fingerprint sensor that reads below the surface of the skin, believes mobile phones with biometric fingerprint access will be a boom market that the channel should get involved in.

"In Japan biometric fingerprint phones have really taken off, and we are expecting the same sort of reaction in the UK as people carry more and more sensitive information on their phones. We are already seeing interest from network providers," he added.

Dennehy predicted other products, such as biometric home and office security devices, also will be margin makers in the UK.

David Ryan, product manager at AuthenTec's UK distributor Acal, said: "The uptake in the UK as far as biometrics is concerned has been slow, but the pace is definitely stepping up now.

"There is more awareness about biometrics among firms and the initial suspicion over the devices has gone."

sara_yirrell@vnu.co.uk