DING QINGFEN -- 2005-06-13 -- Now that an increasing number of mobile phones have the built-in function of a bankcard, security has become a major topic of concern, not only to IT specialists, but also to consumers.
The latest IT security technology at the consumer level is fingerprint biometrics, which can be used in personal computers and mobile phones. AuthenTec, which established its regional headquarters in Shanghai in April, is one of the world's leaders in the provision of the technology.
"AuthenTec aims to become a world leader in biometrics innovation and sales over the long term," Scott Moody, president and chief executive officer with AuthenTec, tells China Business Weekly.
The firm, founded in 1998, has been recognized as the No 1 provider of biometric sensors to wireless service providers and manufacturers. AuthenTec had exported more than 5 million sensors by the end of March, which represented 50 per cent of the global sensor market in terms of sales.
The company has formed strategic partnerships with global giants such as LGE, Fujitsu, Samsung, Microsoft and Intel.
The R&D centre, AuthenTec Shanghai Biometric Research and Development (R&D) Centre, which has 15 IT engineers, also serves as the firm's Asia headquarters. It was opened as part of AuthenTec's aggressive plans to expand its worldwide operations, in response to the rapidly growing need for biometric fingerprint sensors.
Asia-Pacific accounts for 75 per cent approximately 4 million sensors of AuthenTec's global sales.
The demand in China's cellphone and PC segments for fingerprint biometric sensors is significant, Moody says.
"Thanks to China's geographic conveniences the Asian countries will mainly import sensors from the AuthenTec Shanghai R&D centre," Moody says.
In addition to the Shanghai facility, AuthenTec will open multiple marketing and customer technical support offices in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the Chinese mainland.
"China and the United States share a lot of common things. They show interest in the new things resulting from high technology, and that is exactly what AuthenTec excels in," Moody says.
The facility is one of the first R&D centres specifically dedicated to biometric fingerprint sensors for consumers and commercial markets in China.
"We are extremely excited to be working in such a world-class facility, and to be offering our Chinese customers access to the most-advanced biometric fingerprint sensors and technical, marketing and manufacturing support," Moody says.
"We would like to focus, first, on China's cellphone sector, and then PC sector or the others, because the cellphone market is always the biggest market for AuntenTec," Moody says.
In terms of mode of operation, the company prefers to co-operate with the local cellphone manufacturers.
"As AuthenTec's services are customer-oriented and new to China, we must learn from the local wireless makers, who are much more familiar with local demand," Moody says.
The company is negotiating possible co-operation deals with two Chinese mobile phone manufacturers. AuthenTec is expected to begin providing those firms with sensors later this year.
"Our confidence is the result of our superior technology and our great emphasis on China," Moody says.
Compared with its competitors, the company's biometric sensors can provide customers with greater security, convenience and personalization.
"Our competitive edge in technology, together with our firm commitment to China, will definitely bear fruit," Moody says.
The company has secured 50 patents to date.
"The key to protecting our own products lies in our unremitting innovation. We have very smart employees, who can continuously (develop) the most-advanced sensors. I don not think it is easy for the others to copy," Moody says.
AuthenTec has two product families and 15 types of products worldwide. The company now has 90 employees.
The firm is expected to expand its business from PCs and wireless devices to include the auto and safe sectors, Moody says.
