DR JOHN MORGAN

ADVERTISEMENT PROMOTION
Enhanced club security
AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
GANTNER’s fingerprint ID stations can
be easily retrofitted into clubs, eliminate
the problem of card swapping, and
provide extra peace of mind to
members and operators alike
A
Biometric technology allows access via a fingerprint check, or a fingerprint can be encrypted on a member’s card
s an expert in access control
technology, GANTNER’s
range of contactless
chip cards, wristbands
and key tags offers members hasslefree
entry to a leisure site, while
providing a high standard of security
to operators. However many larger
clubs are now seeking further controls,
and GANTNER has responded by
developing its biometric fingerprint ID
terminals that can be retrofitted into
any leisure facility.
GANTNER’s business operations
manager, Alexander Egele, says: “In the
past year we’ve seen more and more
enquiries about our fingerprint ID
systems from leisure operators. There
are many advantages to installing this
type of system, but it’s important that
clubs are aware of the pros and cons
before deciding.”
One potential barrier is that many
people aren’t comfortable with the idea
of their fingerprint being stored on a
company’s central database. In addition,
many members like the positive image
that carrying a health club card conveys.
Card and fingerprint in one
GANTNER’s fingerprint solution solves
the common problems by allowing
fingerprint data to be safely encrypted
onto the member’s existing card or
wristband. This data is extracted at a
GANTNER enrollment station, which is
not linked to any PC or external
database. Operators can choose to just
implement random fingerprint
verification – for example, by checking
every 10th member during peak times.
For people who refuse to enroll
a fingerprint – and also the small
percentage who don’t have a readable
print (e.g. workers with heavy manual
jobs) – clubs can still offer a card-only
mode, perhaps after judging how likely
that member is to lend their card to
a friend or relative. For example, the
16-34-year-old group may present a
higher risk than the over-55s.
Greenvale Park Leisure Centre in
Magherafelt, Northern Ireland, recently
upgraded its GANTNER wristband
access system to incorporate fingerprint
biometrics, in an attempt to eliminate a
card-swapping problem.
Fast and secure
Operations manager Robert Buckley
says: “We’d noticed via social media that
customers were able to use their
friend’s or family’s wristband to gain
access. Front of house staff were able to
stop most of this but during busy times
people were still getting through.”
Now the RFID wristband is swiped
to confirm it belongs to a paid-up
member, and then the club can check
if the member matches the wristband
by asking for a fingerprint check. This
eliminates non-member access, and
stops card swapping between peak and
off-peak members as well.
Buckley adds: “The feedback from
members has been very positive and
so far we’ve only had nine people out
of more than 10,000 members who
refused to enroll their fingerprint.
“Since this is now a key part of our
access control policy we had to address
those memberships individually.”
While there may be potential for
a small amount of member loss by
switching over to a biometric fingerprint
system, it is far outweighed by the
benefits of eliminating non-paying
visitors to a leisure club. GANTNER’s
fingerprint terminals also replicate its
existing card and wristband entry time
of just one second.
GANTNER ELECTRONIC GMBH
Tel: +44 (0)7841 794580
Email: alexander.egele@gantner.com
www.gantner.com
November/December 2014 © Cybertrek 2014 Read Health Club Management online at healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital 17