University of Georgia

Requirements

1. An identity management system to replace card system
2. If biometric, both fingerprint and facial recognition
3. Cool factor (for recruiting purposes)
4. Reporting capabilities (or an integration connection to reporting provider)
5. Easy hook up to a central server (due to multiple locations)

Challenge

The University of Georgia was looking for an updated security solution to address certain key problem areas. Like many universities, they had previously employed a card access system for their student body and needed to be able to restrict access to athletic facilities to student-athletes and coaches. With a student athlete population of roughly 1800, a variety of athletes and locations, the UGA team was finding it more difficult to maintain ease of access and identity management as cardholders and access rights were consistently changing.

In addition, as part of an NCAA program, UGA provides a healthy meal option catered to their student athletes once daily. Since it is funded by the NCAA, they are required to provide detailed logs of exactly which athletes use this service and when. With multiple locations for the meal carts, the task was becoming difficult to maintain.

The need for biometrics was becoming more and more evident, but the UGA security team also recognized a third challenge in that just fingerprint would prove difficult for three particular groups – 1) Elderly people with very poor ridge definition or poor circulation 2) Females with poor circulation, 3) Athletes post-workout who had sweaty, pruned fingers (particularly large issue in warm Georgia summers). They needed to find a provider that would be able to address all of those key needs… and implement the solution in a reasonable amount of time

Solution

University of Georgia approached BTV systems to identify and implement an improved identity management system. Biometrics made the most sense as it would solve their NCAA reporting auditing and facility access challenges as an individual’s biometrics are completely unique to the individual. It would also position them as a forward-thinking university and instantly give them the “cool factor” to support some of their student-athlete recruiting efforts.

BTV System Recommended BioConnect for 3 Main Reasons:

1. Integration (Cost-Saving Factor): BioConnect integration with Suprema devices and Genetec Security Center (for reporting and access control) translated to less money spent purchasing different software and less effort hooking software components together.
2. One Central System: BioConnect integration and networked devices means they just need to manage one central system.
3. Quality/Cool Factor: Suprema’s world-renowned biometric algorithms and superior engineering – Facial recognition, fingerprint and multi-factor (bio + PIN/card).

Brandon Shepard, the head installer for BTV, commented: “Due to the readers being network-based, we were able to deploy in multiple buildings with one main server managing the system. The networking ability of these readers made them easy to install.”

UGA selected a mix of 3 Suprema readers: BioLite Net (slim fingerprint), BioStation T2 (fingerprint terminal) and FaceStation (facial recognition) to be installed on the football, swimming and volleyball locker rooms and other areas of each athletic facility. A number of the FaceStation devices were also installed on dining carts, operating wirelessly to record the meal plans.

Result

“The ability to enter a user number and code helps us to allow access to new students or temporary contractors who have not been scanned yet,” said Mark Delafchell, Director of Building Services at University of Georgia.

The outcome has been instrumental for UGA and has been able to address all their needs. Overall, they are very happy with the outcome and it has made the biggest impact to three key parties in particular:

Student Convenience For the students and coaches the speed and accuracy of the new devices has been the biggest benefit. Cards and keys used to present friction in their day, but with the new devices, they don’t need to remember to bring anything other than themselves – they now can just focus on their sport. They also find the devices really fast which means less time waiting in line. When you’re running around from the dining hall to the pool to the locker room, removing that friction makes a big difference to their day.

Temporary Access for Contractors The systems allows UGA to give contractors temporary access to do repair work.

System Management for the Facilities staff at UGA, the outcome has been instrumental. Because the entire system — from access of facilities to recording meals in the dining hall is all connected to the same central server, they can easily keep track of everything they need to. They are now able to give the NCAA a daily attendance log broken down by sport for their healthy meal program and manage the access rights of over 1800 students/coaches with much more ease and assurance than previously possible.