by Terry Brock

	Face-It lets you use someones picture as a password. This has enormous possibilities for security and protection. If this is coupled with a few other security measures (password, personal references, etc.) it creates one of the most secure tools for computer applications available on the planet today!

It is better to be in business today than ever before. The tools of technology continue to provide a flood of productivity tools that can help the growing business owner and sales person to achieve more than they dreamed possible. This week, we’ll focus on specific new technologies that can help you in three key areas: 1) Privacy and encryption on the Net or your personal computer, 2) Marketing tools with phones that boost your contact with potential new customers and saves costs too, and 3) Some excellent learning tools.

Show Me The Face

Security with computers and the Internet is a very hot issue. Passwords are great, but we can forget them. Encryption devices and technologies are making it possible to do millions of dollars of business every day on the Internet. However, both of these have their drawbacks. We can forget a password (who hasn’t done that?). The encryption can be broken and it is a concern to many people.

Enter into the field of face recognition technology. Face-It, a product from Visionics in New Jersey, has the ability to recognize a user’s face and allow or disallow entry. Rather than a user having to remember a password, the software, equipped with the right video camera and boards, can recognize "facial geometry." This means that the person using the computer does not need to remember a long, difficult password. You also won’t have to worry about a hacker breaking into the system with the right codes.

The applications for this system are enormous. This $199.95 software package works with a color video camera ($210) and a computer board ($299) to provide a very high level of security. The company often demonstrates the system with the aid of Microsoft’s text to speech software. Once your picture has been taken and your name assigned to that picture, the computer will be able to recognize your face and say your name as you walk in front of it.

The applications for this in banking ATM transactions are great. No more forgotten passwords. Of course, it could be combined with another level of security like passwords or other biometric security devices. These are devices which rely on the human body for security and capture images of a retina scan, finger prints or, in this case, a facial picture.

Another application is in day care centers. You can make sure that the person picking up a child is who they say they are. You simply get the picture in the morning when the child is dropped off, or use a photo that is stored on the day care’s system. Other possibilities include entry into sensitive locations, office cubicles to be monitored by the computer and many more.

With security a strong linchpin in the efforts to do more business on the Internet and security concerns escalating ever higher, this type of technology is one to monitor.

Visionics, Jersey City, NJ, 201-332-9213, www.faceit.com

Follow Me Anywhere

Do you have several numbers on your business card; one for office, one for fax, one for mobile, one for home, etc. etc.? If so, you might want to consider a great service available now to reduce all those numbers to only one. AVOX from Avirnex in Novato, California, provides an excellent service for professionals who are on the move often.

Here’s how it works. For $19.95 per month plus 12 cents per minute of phone call, you can have all your incoming calls directed to one number. You can collect the faxes and have them printed at a nearby fax machine. You can use the caller I.D. function to screen all incoming calls. 

You can also have the system locate you, wherever you want to be found---IF you want to be found. If not, it will politely forward those calls to an awaiting voice mail system for you. An additional benefit provides conference calling for two or more people.

This system doesn’t have to replace what you already are using. It simply can add on to your present system and give you more capability. You can then collect the calls you receive on your personal number at your leisure and return them when it is convenient for your schedule.

The fact that you’ll probably save on the long distance calling alone makes it worth investigating for the small businessperson. A sales rep can make sure she doesn’t miss that important call from a potential client. A real estate agent can collect the calls coming in on a given listing and then have a faxed contract sent to the nearest fax machine without having to charge all the way back to the office.

Technology is all about making our lives easier. This is a tool that does that in spades. You are able to concentrate on the business that needs to be done when it needs to be done and still get to the important calls you want to take. This is a service to seriously consider.

Avirnex, 415-623-3000, www.avirnex.com

Learn Good Stuff

Anyone that has worked with computers for a short time knows that HAVING the right equipment and software is not enough. You must also know how to USE the tools. One of the best ways to do that is through spaced repetition.

Mentor Networks, from Halifax, Nova Scotia, has been a leader in computer-based training applications. Their new series of CD-ROMS take the process to an even higher level. Their new series, LearnExcel 97, LearnWord 97 and LearnPowerPoint 97 provides a rich amount of material in a pleasant and entertaining way.

A menu of option is available for the user to use in selecting the topic to learn. You can choose which topic you need assistance with and then watch a video showing how it is to be done. You can then return to that task and go through the specifics on your own to make sure you’ve got it.

The combination of demonstration and actual practice makes for a delightful and memorable learning experience. I particuarly liked the video combined with the demonstrations. You can select the specific topic that you want to know more about and then watch the demo of it. After that, you simply put into practice what was demonstrated previously. This concept of spaced repetition is great to learning a new skill, like a new software package.

The practicality of having the course on CD-ROM means that you can take it anywhere you can take your laptop computer. This makes it very convenient for those on the road a lot who still need to master new software and learn how to utilize the software’s most important features.

Mentor Networks, 800-585-3129, www.mentor.ca

Conclusion

These tools can help you to gain that competitive advantage for your business and career. Leverage the technology to move you to the next higher level you desire. These tools can help you in that process.