ImageWare biometrics revenues decline but net improves as Nuance and Ping appoint new executives

Mixed results from ImageWare, strong results from Huami, and fundraising authorization from Zwipe’s AGM are among the latest developments for publicly-traded biometrics providers. Both Nuance and Ping have appointed women to senior leadership positions with major AI and cloud credentials, respectively.

ImageWare Systems has reported just over $3.5 million in revenue for full-year 2019, a decline of 20 percent from $4.4 million the previous year. Gross profit was up by two percent, and net loss shrunk from $12.55 million in 2018 to $11.58 million. Loss per share was unchanged at $0.17.

The company made $979,000 in revenue in the fourth quarter of its fiscal 2019, a decrease from $1,067,000 in the same quarter a year earlier, with a slight dip in gross profit. Net loss for the quarter declined to $2.755 million from $3.127 million in Q4 2018, and was flat on a per share basis at $0.05.

ImageWare completed a SOC-2 audit validating the security compliance of its biometric identity management platform in December.

“I joined ImageWare at the end of February, assuming day-to-day leadership to build upon a foundation of incredible intellectual property and its great potential,” says ImageWare CEO and President Kristin A. Taylor. “I immediately began work toward my goals to increase revenues and expand our products and platforms. I launched an essential review and assessment of all of our products, services, divisions and departments.”

The company added Taylor and a new CFO since the beginning of its fiscal 2020. The company also inked deals worth $1.2 million with credit unions and a government agency early in the new year.

Huami reports major revenue growth

Huami Technology has reported first quarter revenues of 1.0885 billion yuan (US$153.7 million) in the first quarter of its fiscal 2020 year, an increase of 36.1 percent from the same quarter a year ago, according to a company announcement, beating its guidance.

Total shipments of Huami’s smart devices reached 7.6 million units, likewise an increase of roughly 36 percent, and the company maintained profitability.

Company Founder, Chairman and CEO Huang Wang said increasing brand recognition, new products and successful marketing contributed to the company’s growth. He also says the company is watching marlet nuances in each key region and has adopted a strategy of both direct and third-party channel sales.

Recent company highlights include the publication of a research paper on the role of wearables with health monitoring capabilities for epidemic warning and public health management, and joining the Chinese Athletics Association and the Chinese National Athletics Team as a partner.

The company launched a new line of Amazfit wearables including smart headphones at CES this year.

Nuance appoints new healthcare business lead

Nuance Communications has appointed former Wolters Kluwer Health CEO Diana Nole to lead its healthcare business as executive vice president and general manager.

At Wolters Kluwer, Nole built a centralized data science team to accelerate the introduction of next-generation AI-based solutions for data interoperability, clinical surveillance and competency test preparation for nurses, according to the company announcement. She also performed a product development leadership role with Carestream Health’s Digital Medical Solutions Division.

“This is a critical time for healthcare organizations – the world has changed – and healthcare must change with it,” comments Nole. “Nuance’s depth of customer relationships along with the breadth of its AI-powered healthcare solutions portfolio, including the Dragon Ambient eXperience and PowerScribe One, provide a unique opportunity to empower healthcare organizations to unlock value and have a positive and lasting impact on the global healthcare landscape. It is an honor to join Nuance’s seasoned Healthcare team at this extraordinary time, and I look forward to what’s ahead.”

Ping adds Chief Product Officer

Ping Identity has appointed AWS veteran Candace Worley as its new global chief product officer to advance the company’s product vision, lead technical innovation efforts and bring its identity solutions to market.

Worley led AWS’ enterprise strategist and vertical marketing teams, developed enterprise level messaging, marketing plans, and industry insights to accelerate customers’ time to value for their cloud projects. She has also held key product management and chief technologist roles at McAfee and Intel Security.

“Identity is now the foundation of all things digital,” states Worley. “Ping’s commitment to guaranteeing that all digital transactions are as secure in the digital world as they are in the physical world stands out as the type of mission that gets me excited. I’m looking forward to progressing Ping’s goals and pioneering enhanced digital, contactless and mobile product capabilities.”

Zwipe approves share issuance to raise capital

Zwipe has published the minutes of its annual general meeting, where all proposed resolutions were approved unanimously.

The company’s annual report and financial statements, proposed board members and renumeration for the board and nominating committee were all adopted as planned. Zwipe has also granted authorization for the board to raise equity with share issuances of up to 8.5 percent of the registered share capital, raising up to nearly NOK 217,000 (US$21,450) to fund its incentive program, and of up to 25 percent to strengthen its equity as needed.

Article Topics

appointments  |  biometrics  |  financial results  |  Huami  |  identity management  |  ImageWare  |  Nuance Communications  |  Ping Identity  |  stocks  |  wearables  |  Zwipe