Latest News
All the latest news from Aurora & the biometrics industry
December 2011
Time for a Change
After many happy years in Hannington, we have taken the decision to move premises.
But don't worry, we're not going far and we want to ensure that you know exactly where you can find us in the future.
Our new offices are situated within a building which was originally a shoe factory in the small market town of Higham Ferrers in Northamptonshire. This has now been carefully renovated into office space, whilst the external building is still in keeping with its origins.
The premises are very close to the A45/A6 interchange, and a short, pleasant walk from the town centre. There is also plenty of parking available, so if you ever need to visit us, rest assured you will be well accommodated.
The address where you will find us, as of 12th December 2011 is: The Charles Parker Building, Midland Road, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire, NN10 8DN.
November 2011
Aurora proud to be named Northamptonshire's 'Creative Business of the Year'
Aurora's CEO, Hugh Carr-Archer and Technical Director, Patrick Usher, attended the Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards ceremony in Daventry on Thursday 17th November and were delighted to be presented with the Creative Business of the Year award.
There were five other finalists in the category, but after careful consideration, Aurora was selected for their technological developments which have led to the installation of biometrics to assist in passenger processing at one of the world's largest airports.
Patrick Usher said: "We would like to thank our staff for their time and effort in making the technology possible and who have also raised awareness of our products and services, ensuring that Aurora continues to be a UK leader in the provision of face recognition technology."
November 2011
Aurora to develop a smartphone app.
Continuing to work in partnership with Mulalley, Aurora are in the planning stages of developing a new smartphone application, to work in conjunction with their Cloud based technology.
The new application will enable Mulalley to use the phones as a means of signing in and out in the absence of the standard Aurora ClockFace units. This would be applicable to temporary sites on which it is not suitable to set up the units.
As staff sign in and out using the ClockFace units, the data is logged and then communicated back to the central database via the internet, creating real time attendance logs across multiple sites.
The smartphone application will be able to send user log records directly to the central database, using the Cloud, to be incorporated into the existing reports. It will also generate an additional report consisting of GPS location, which will then allow administrators to view the exact location of the smartphone when the transaction was recorded and the mobile number of the phone being used to log the records.
October 2011
Aurora is a proud to announce that they are a finalist in the Northampton Business Excellence Awards.
Aurora applied for the awards under the category of Creative Business of the Year, using their latest leaps in technology and development to ensure their inclusion within the air industry with regards to passenger processing at the one of the world's largest international airports.
Hugh Carr-Archer, Aurora's CEO has said: "Having put a lot of hard work into recent developments, we are delighted to have been chosen as finalists and look forward to the results, which will be revealed at the Presentation Ceremony on 17th November."
This is the second time that Aurora has entered the Awards, having won the category of 'Entrepreneurial Business of the Year' back in 2003.
The Northampton Business Excellence Awards are in their 21st year and are arranged in order to recognise the talent and success of Northamptonshire companies and individuals.
October 2011
Hugh Carr-Archer @ Biometrics 2011
Hugh Carr-Archer will be chairing a seminar at Biometrics 2011, an exhibition and conference taking place at the QEII Conference Centre, Westminster, London on 19th of October.
Biometrics 2011 covers the latest information and solutions on the use of biometric technology in government and commercial applications.
Hugh is due to chair the session on 'Cutting Edge Biometric Passenger Facilitation' and will briefly cover Aurora's recent input into the air industry.
September 2011
Aurora Goes Green
The new Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHE) module allows our customers to report on the C02 emissions generated by their employees' journeys to and from work. The new module generates its reports by using the post code or map co-ordinates of an employee's home/lodging address and your site's location. Google maps are used to produce reports which allow the user to see the actual distance travelled to work and the direct distance from your sites. The system is also able to distinguish between the different vehicle types and modes of travel to work.
The module uses the conversion factors issued by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The conversion factors will be updated each year in accordance with the guidelines issued by these departments. New reports by Employee, Company, Contract, Scope, Proximity, and Mode of Transport can be generated, and all the data can be exported and analysed in Excel.
August 2011
Aurora has its head in the clouds
Aurora has released a new Microsoft SQL Azure Cloud application, built around their world leading facial recognition technology.
Aurora and Mulalley, an established contractor in the construction industry, have worked in partnership to develop this application which is suitable for numerous sites, situated throughout the south of England
Mulalley are one of the first to adopt this application in the UK construction industry. It is unique as once an operative has enrolled, their biometric templates are distributed across all sites automatically via the internet, without the need for re-enrolment on each site.
Operatives are initially enrolled at head office and their biometric measurements are then securely stored online and can be managed from any PC, with access to the internet.
From September, Aurora's Clockface units will be installed at entry/exit points across 30 sites, replacing traditional signing in books. Once an employee's information and biometric measurements have been uploaded, they can access any site where the Clockface device is installed.
As staff sign in and out, the data is logged and then communicated back to the central database via the internet, creating real time attendance log's across multiple sites.
The units are quick and easy to install and to use, the application takes away the requirement to have a dedicated network across all remote sites and any technical faults or difficulties can be dealt with remotely.
The attendance information recorded by signing in and out can also be used to feed a payroll systems, generate reports and any changes to an employee's record can be accessed immediately across all sites. By accessing the Cloud, Mulalley are able to obtain accurate records from multiple sites, reducing administration time, improve employee safety and increasing site security.
July 2011
FaceRegister to safeguard London School
Hendon School is the latest to adopt the FaceRegister units for use by its sixth formers.
The FaceRegister units are able to link straight to the schools CMIS system so not only are the students details matched to those already stored in the schools database during initial enrolment, but the units can continually update the system, writing attendance marks back so that students can be accounted for at the click of a button.
The school are hoping to have the units up and running in their new sixth form block by the start of the autumn term in September.
June 2011
Aurora's continued dedication to Airport Security
Hugh Carr-Archer, Aurora's CEO, is all set to attend Airport Information Technology (AIT) 2011, in London Heathrow this December.
As an International Airport Review conference, AIT will provide a dedicated IT focus for international and regional airports. It brings together senior management figures from global airport operators, to share their visions for the future and to discuss the investments, issues and opportunities facing this sector.
Hugh, speaking with Atkins Airport Development Manager, Nick Whitehead, will discuss the merits of facial recognition technology and how it can continue to make a difference to the high level of security required in the Airport environment.
January 2011
Aurora launches photoIMPORT at BETT 2011
The new software module that allows schools to take a picture of a pupil via a webcam and simply click save where it is saved back into their record in SIMS. photoIMPORT will save a huge amount of time by taking images of students with missing or out of date photo's quickly. Find out more at Aurora In Education.
November 2010
Aurora to exhibit at BETT 2011
faceREGISTER and Aurora's ID Card Centre (www.idcardcentre.co.uk) will be
at the BETT Show between the 12th and 15th January at London Olympia.
Aurora will be on stand P18
which is just inside the main entrance on the gallery level.
For more information or you wish to book a time for a meeting with one of our team
please email bett@auroracs.co.uk.
October 2010
faceREGISTER features in the News
Sir Christopher Hatton School were the centre of attention in the press as several publications ran stories on their use of faceREGISTER, see the links for stories:
September 2010
Aurora faceREGISTER
Aurora welcomes on board all the new schools that started using faceREGISTER this month.
Aurora Software – recent development
Aurora Computer Services has recently added further capability and functionality to it's administration software. Our software now integrates, as a standard feature, with ACT products. This additional functionality means that both access and egress from sites by individuals, can be recorded automatically on Aurora software using both ACT card readers and Aurora's face biometric units.
July 2010
Aurora is proud to announce that we have been selected as a finalist in the 2010 EducationInvestor Awards
Aurora have been listed as a finalist in the category of ‘Supplier to the education sector’ for Aurora’s registration solution, faceREGISTER.
The awards will presented on the evening of the 16th November 2010 at the Grosvenor House Hotel in central London.
+ Aurora Implements an new operative HR and payroll system for Speedy Hire International Asset Services in the UAE
Speedy Hire operatives who clock in on Aurora facial recognition systems are now being paid using our new payroll processing module which is capable of meeting the UAE labour ministry requirements for wage protection.
+ Aurora releases a new interactive safety alerts system which allows operatives to record health safety incidents when they are leaving site
This is an enhancement to our existing safety graphics and personal messaging features.
June 2010
FaceREGISTER excels with identical twins
Aurora’s face recognition solution, faceREGISTER, has proven it’s ability to identify identical twins during a visit to a London school.
Aurora was asked how you could differentiate between identical twins. The school who have a pair or identical twins were both enrolled on faceREGISTER and it proved that faceREGISTER could tell the difference between them.
For further information about faceREGISTER: www.AuroraInEducation.co.uk.
+ New construction customer signs up for face recognition system from Aurora
Aurora are delighted to welcome another addition to their growing construction customer base. Urban Splash, the high quality residential and commercial regeneration specialists, opted for a face recognition system for monitoring site operative time and attendance at their prestigious Lakeshore development in Bristol; installation was completed during May.
April 2010
Aurora are pleased to announce that we are now officially Serco Facility Partners
Aurora's faceREGISTER can now interact with Serco Facility by pulling student data from Facility and writing attendance marks back.
February 2010
Aurora roll out Face Recognition system for Willmott Dixon
Aurora have recently increased their extensive construction customer base with the addition of Willmott Dixon Housing. The site team working on a major regeneration scheme currently being undertaken by Willmott Dixon Housing in South Acton, took delivery of our face recognition system during February and although we have previously supplied to the construction division of the Willmott Dixon Group, this marks our first installation with the group’s specialist social and affordable housing division. Willmott Dixon is a top 25 UK construction company with a turnover in excess of £800m.
January 2010
Aurora enjoys good exposure at BETT 2010
Aurora attended BETT between 13th & 16th January on stand P18. Aurora have been impressed with the amount of interest shown in faceREGISTER at BETT.
BETT was a great show which was very well attended by a lot of visitors despite the snowy conditions. faceREGISTER has also featured in a news report by BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat programme, you can see the report by clicking on this link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/technology/newsid_10000000/newsid_10004500/10004529.stm
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