SecuGen announces the next release of its Software Developer Kit (SDK) Collection, which is used to build powerful biometric software applications that incorporate SecuGen's increasingly popular fingerprint recognition technology.

The SecuGen SDK Collection Release 8 supports the widest range of platforms in the industry, including Windows, Windows CE, Windows CE .NET, Linux (USB), Linux (parallel), DOS, and now Microsoft .NET and Pocket PC 2003. SecuGen's minutiae-based fingerprint recognition technology allows a person's fingerprints to work like unique digital codes that are more secure and convenient than passwords and that are not easily lost, stolen or forgotten. This newest release of the SecuGen SDK Collection now makes fingerprint authentication more accessible to developers around the world who work with all kinds of operating environments.

"We are seeing more developers interested in building powerful software applications that integrate SecuGen's rugged and accurate fingerprint sensors. The improvements and new features in SDK Collection 8 are the result of listening to our customers' needs and continually developing higher quality fingerprint technology with greater functionality," says Dan Riley, SecuGen's VP of Software Development.

In addition to the eleven SDKs already included, the SDK Collection Release 8 boasts a generous list of new features and updates:

-- Both the FDx SDK for Windows and SecuBSP SDK for Windows include a new
Microsoft .NET component and sample source code that allow developers
to rapidly integrate SecuGen technology into their applications using
Microsoft's latest development environment.
-- The new Matching Score API is used to improve verification performance
by requiring a fingerprint to meet certain quality levels in order to
be accepted during the fingerprint registration process. Registering
better quality templates help reduce the rate of false rejections,
which can often be caused by either the presence of artifacts or the
absence of minutiae in a fingerprint image processed during
registration.
-- The FDx SDK for Windows CE .NET provides new support for the Intel
PXA255 processor. Now, developers can create mobile security
applications that support fingerprint authentication for a variety of
handheld devices, including the rugged Psion Teklogix 7535, the Casio
DT-X10 and the Compaq IPAQ. These last two devices use a RATOC USB
Compact Flash Adapter to connect SecuGen's Hamster III USB fingerprint
reader.
-- The FDx SDK for Linux has broadened its capability to support SuSE
Linux in addition to RedHat Linux. Also, now both the Hamster III and
OptiMouse III fingerprint mouse can be used, and multiple USB devices
may be connected at the same time.
-- The new SecuGen Biometric Service Provider (SecuBSP) Matching SDK for
Linux allows fingerprint matching functions to be performed on Linux
servers.

"When our customers came to us wanting to use SecuGen fingerprint readers with handheld devices, our product development team worked closely with RATOC Systems, International, Psion Teklogix and Casio Corporation to port our technology to their PDA platforms," continues Riley. Commenting on the expanded handheld platform support in SDK Collection 8, Ryota Tsukiashi from RATOC says "SecuGen's fingerprint technology combined with our USB Compact- Flash adapter opens up huge opportunities to deploy biometric technology across a wide range of mobile devices."

Regional vice president of Psion Teklogix Americas, Kyle Day, adds, "Today businesses in a range of markets from government to the supply chain are examining how they can leverage biometric technology within their mobile computing systems. Our partnership with an industry leader like SecuGen reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative technology that will solve the evolving needs of our customers."

"Casio is actively pursuing markets that require a ruggedized and lightweight mobile finger reading solution. Getting the Casio DT-X10 certified on both the SecuGen and RATOC devices demonstrated the ease in working together as partners in providing a mobile ruggedized solution," states George Baraona, Casio's Director of Sales.

SecuGen offers free SDK upgrades to those who have purchased an SDK Maintenance package within the past twelve months. For more information, please contact us at sales@secugen.com