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Keller Independent School District (Keller, TX) Completes 2005 Production Payroll Utilizing Trendec's Biometric Self Service System

Biometric Authentication and Self Service Terminals Streamline One of Texas' Fastest Growing School District's Time and Labor Operations

Trendec, the Public Sector Division of The Harbour Group, Inc., today announced that Keller Independent School District, a customer of its Biometric self service solutions, successfully completed their 2005 payroll under the new system. The deployment at Keller ISD began during the summer of 2005 and included deployment of state of the art Touch Screen Biometric self service terminals across the district's 28 campuses and administrative facilities. The new system will streamline complex time entry while minimizing errors and provide accurate charging with biometric authentication.

Utilizing Trendec's solution allows districts such as Keller ISD to increase the efficiency and accuracy of one of its most complex business processes: time and labor accounting. Efficiencies gained in the back office translate positively into greater confidence in the district and more resources directed to teaching and learning.

"With Trendec's attentive customer service and robust, reliable system, Keller ISD can more easily and efficiently manage the complexities of pay situations and job codes that a growing district must maintain while minimizing the staff dedicated to running the district," says Kent Morrison, Keller's Chief Financial Officer. "Additionally, the touch screen biometric terminal can become the launch platform for future employee self-service applications."

"Trendec's solution has added security and flexibility to our time and attendance business processes by closely integrating with our HR/Payroll system and providing the tools to inspect transactions. The graphical display of everything makes it easy for my staff to view the charges and make edits. Trendec support of our deployment has been attentive and professional," says Linda Bennett, head of Keller ISD's payroll department.

According to Kemp Fuller, Director of Trendec's Biometric Practice, "By utilizing biometric authentication, government agencies, universities, and school districts can increase their security, prevent fraud, and drive greater efficiencies from their Human Resource and Workforce Management Systems."

"Biometric Authentication provides unique advantages to the most sensitive and intricate business processes that affect not only every employee in an organization but directly affects the security and reliability of the services provided. In public sector institutions such as school districts, there are many workforce applications that would benefit from verified identity. Further, in 'The National Strategy for The Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructures and Key Assets,' published by The White House, 'exploration of methods to authenticate and verify personnel identity' is one its four key strategies. This technology directly enables that capability at an affordable price and in the most reliable method," said Mark A. Hill, Trendec's Vice President for Public Sector.

About Trendec, The Public Sector Division of The Harbour Group, Inc.

Trendec is a Business and Technology Consulting firm specializing in Information Technology Management for the public sector.

Trendec's service offerings include:

--  Strategy Consulting including technology and web portal strategies;
--  Portals, Content Management, and Business Intelligence including
    executive dashboards and business performance reporting;
--  Custom Applications from defining business requirements to deployment;
--  Packaged Applications including selection, integration, and
    deployment;
--  Network Management including design and deployment, security, and
    operations;
--  Operations Management including data center, security, and user
    support;
--  Infrastructure architecture, design and implementation.
    

Trendec has successfully completed projects and provided managed services for school districts, universities, and local and state government organizations.

About Keller ISD

Keller ISD has 28 campuses serving more than 25,000 students. Enrollment in Keller ISD has doubled during the past 10 years and is expected to do the same during the next decade. The district serves portions of the cities of Colleyville, Fort Worth, Haltom City, Hurst, North Richland Hills, Southlake, Watauga, and Westlake and most of the City of Keller. Its 51 square miles encompass the third-largest land area in Tarrant County.

Distributed by Market Wire