Briefs

Companies selected to evaluate contactless technology LUND, Sweden - Bearing Point Inc., a consulting and systems integration firm, has been selected by the Department of Defense Biometric Management Office to develop technologies that could enhance security of the department’s facilities. As part of the $1.2 million contract, Bearing Point will evaluate the potential use of contactless smart card and biometric technologies with the department. The company will develop and evaluate a variety of scenarios. Team members in the project include Precise Biometrics, SAFLINK, NetVersant and Datastrip. IR Security division reports revenue growth HAMILTON, Bermuda - Revenues for Ingersoll-Rand Co.’s Security and Safety Sector rose more than six percent to $387.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2002, with growth particularly strong in the electronic access control division. Security revenues rose to more than double compared with last years numbers and the acquisition of Electronic Technologies Corp. in the second quarter. Overall, IR reported net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2002 of $202.9 million, or diluted net earnings per share of $1.19, excluding charges related to restructuring and productivity investment. Teldat signs distribution agreement MIAMI - Teldat Corp. has signed a distribution deal with Audio Intelligent Devices of Deerfield Beach, Fla. Under terms of the agreement, Audio Intelligent Devices will purchase, import, warehouse and distribute Teldat’s VisorNet hardware and software to Teldat’s customers in the United States and Canada. AID will also offer technical support and training at their facilities. Teldat is a manufacturer of routers and switchers for the telecommunications and banking industries.