Fujitsu awarded contract for Australian ePassport issuance system
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia has awarded Fujitsu a contract to implement a comprehensive system for issuing Australian passports, as a part of the department’s Passport Redevelopment Program.
The company has suggested this will be one of the largest Microsoft CRM implementations for a Federal Government agency, and say Fujitsu won the contract through its managed services expertise and its capability to integrate a Microsoft stack that aligns with DFAT’s enterprise direction.
With increasing demand by Australians for passports, and a forecast of up to two million passport applications per year by 2015, the new system will enable the Australian Passport Office to maintain the service level commitments of its charter.
According to the Australian Government website, the country has been using ePassports since 2005 and uses a facial recognition system to verify passport holders.
“DFAT is committed to the continuous improvement of our processes and services,” Tuan Dao, DFAT’s CIO said. “The Program will deliver a contemporary passport system for Australia that will be more secure, efficient and responsive.”
Over the next three years, as a part of the redevelopment plan, the current technology used to print and issue passports will be likewise replaced.
“We are proud to be working with DFAT on providing innovative technology solutions to enable DFAT to deliver continuous service improvement to the Australian community,” Fujistu Australia and New Zealand CEO, Mike Foster said. “The selection of Fujitsu technology and people to deliver this leading-edge platform confirms Fujitsu’s place as a trusted public sector partner.”
Reported previously, a new market report from Frost & Sullivan,Analysis of the Southeast Asia and Australia-New Zealand Biometrics Market has found that biometrics market revenue is expected to reach around US $600 million in 2016.
The report notes that the governments of Southeast Asia (SAE) and Australia-New Zealand (ANZ) are investing heavily in security projects and infrastructure, such as border control systems and national ID program, which bodes well for the market in the two regions. Further, the Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulation mandating biometric passport implementation by 2015 is further accelerating this growth.
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