NEC introduces facial recognition system; replaces physical ID cards, enables building access and printer use

NEC Corp. will introduce a digital ID system using facial recognition for its 20,000 employees in Japan, the company has announced.

The system can be used for payments in company restaurants and shops, but also at the entrance and exit of the head office.

Compared with conventional ID cards, the digital system can greatly reduce the risk of loss and eliminate the need to print and distribute physical cards. NEC hopes to improve its working environment through the new initiative.

Access to the head office via the new ID system is linked to the work management system, allowing it to take the place of time cards. Employees can also use facial recognition to access multifunction printers and office lockers.

The digital ID system can also be linked to external services. As a first trial of this feature, NEC plans to link the system to the Mirairo ID, a smartphone app that can be used in place of disability certificates, allowing users of the app to receive discounts for people with disabilities in company canteens.

Some features of the system were introduced in April and an environment should be in place by this summer where physical cards are no longer required. However, those who wish to continue using their cards can do so.

NEC proactively integrates advanced technologies into its operations and calls itself “client zero”, the first to embrace these developments. In the future, the company plans to expand the ID system beyond the headquarters and consider selling the system as a new service to other companies.