Making a difference with biometric technology

Situation

The biometric systems at India's 12 Visa Application Centres were non-standard at the time of the initial biometrics installation. The UK Border Agency, in conjunction with an external agency, required us to design and install a new compatible system across the centres to align and modernise the visa application process and enhance their service to their customers.

Solution

As project manager, I provided the overall co-ordination and support, working closely with our technical services team, as well as the external agency, to design and build a tailored biometric solution. Three installers were assigned to different regions across the country, successfully completing the installation in just 12 days, with systems only shutting down at weekends or, in some cases, for just a day, to ensure that the UK Border Agency could maintain its service to customers.

Impact

The project has brought India's Visa Application Centres into line with the rest of the world. The new systems are more reliable and provide a more streamlined service: a direct benefit for both UK Border Agency staff and their customers.

The expertise demonstrated by the team was fundamental to the success of the project. Careful planning and efficient work meant that the installation was completed within the tight project timescales and without any disruption to the high volume of applications in this busy region. The Indian project is just one part of a global programme, bringing the number of countries using biometric technology to 135.