The Swiss Federal Administration awards Ascom follow-up order worth CHF 3.5 million

Ascom Security Solutions has received a follow-up order from the Swiss Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics (BBL) on behalf of the Federal Office of Police (fedpol) to upgrade the existing Swiss AFIS (automatic fingerprint identification system). The contract is worth CHF 3.5 million. Ascom is responsible for system delivery, integration, maintenance and support

The existing automatic fingerprint identification system “Swiss AFIS” was commissioned in 2002. This central information system, featuring state-of-the-art methods of comparison, ensures speed and flexibility of operations in the police identification and records department and in the area of migration. Every day the system processes over 600 queries involving fingerprint images.

The order covers replacement of the existing paper archive with a new electronic filing system and upgrading of the existing data base subsystems with new hardware and up-to-date software. Doubling the resolution of fingerprint images will enable the use of additional personal identification data.

The fingerprint experts at the Office for Personal Identification make their services available round the clock to the Federal Office of Police (fedpol), the cantonal police authorities, the Swiss border guards and the Swiss Federal Office for Migration. People and scene-of-crime evidence can be identified on the basis of fingerprints and palm prints, and the details stored in the national fingerprint archives.

Fritz Gantert, General Manager of the Security Solutions Division, comments: "We're delighted to be able to continue the long-standing partnership with the Federal Office of Police and to make an important contribution towards improving security in Switzerland."

ABOUT ASCOM

Ascom is an international solution provider with comprehensive technological know-how in Mission-Critical Communication. The company concentrates on core areas as Wireless Solutions (high-value, customer-specific on-site communications solutions), Network Testing (a global market leader in optimization solutions for mobile networks) and Security Communication (applications for security, communication and control systems for infrastructure operators, public security institutions and the army). The company has subsidiaries in 20 countries and a workforce of some 2,300 employees worldwide. Ascom registered shares (symbol ASCN) are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange in Zurich.

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