Orange County Public Schools headquarters today becomes the first installation site of the state's new automated fingerprint identification-based applicant processing system for all education and insurance workers.

"This new state-of-the-art technology will provide us with fingerprint information within a matter of days," says Orange County Superintendent Ronald Blocker. "It is another great tool in our efforts to ensure the safety of our students."

Lockheed Martin Information Systems' digital electronic system will process the fingerprints of the expected 27,000 persons who apply annually for jobs in the county under a new State of Florida contract. More than 250,000 job applications are received for jobs in the state's education system and insurance industry each year. The state expects the system to be operational in all counties by July 2002.

"The response time for applicant background checks for education and insurance industry workers will be greatly expedited by the use of our proven digital fingerprint acquisition and communication technologies," said John Hallal, President of Lockheed Martin Information Systems.

The Lockheed Martin system will scan an applicant's fingerprints digitally and eliminate the use of paper cards and ink. The use of such digital fingerprint data will shorten the application process by providing a fully automated electronic transfer of prints, eliminating the handling and mailing of paper cards. Electronic fingerprint files also eliminate the need to return and remake inked print cards that are of unsuitable quality when reviewed by the FBI. Poor-quality electronically scanned fingerprints are immediately highlighted by the system, allowing operators to rescan the prints immediately.

"This new innovative approach will provide greater ease and efficiency in processing the background information of those committing themselves to a career in Florida's education system," said Education Commissioner Charlie Crist.

The five-year contract awarded to Lockheed Martin Information Systems last month by the Florida Department of Education is worth approximately $8 million. The award builds on Lockheed Martin's experience in automated fingerprint identification technology for customers including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, other law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command.

Lockheed Martin Information Systems operates its Information Technology and Identification Solutions business at its Orlando-based headquarters. The company delivered a nation-wide electronic fingerprint identification system to the United States Military Entrance Processing Command in 2001. Across all the corporation's fingerprint enrollment programs, nearly one million applicant enrollments are processed per year.

Lockheed Martin's fingerprint enrollment technology, developed in conjunction with Integrated Biometric Technology, allows customers to conduct efficient and effective fingerprint background checks. The system electronically captures fingerprints and transmits them via a channeling agency to the FBI. The system improves the efficiency of fingerprint background checks by moving the process to an electronic medium. Integrated Biometric Technology currently has joint marketing efforts with Lockheed Martin Information Systems

Lockheed Martin employs approximately 6,500 employees at facilities in Central Florida.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise with core businesses in systems integration, space, aeronautics, and technology services.

  For additional information, visit these websites:

  http://www.lockheedmartin.com/lmis
  http://www.integratedbiometric.com/
  http://www.ocps.k12.fl.us/
  http://www.myfloridaeducation.com/

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Information Systems