Virdi Nigeria, the West African subsidiary of global security software leader Union Community, has unveiled ambitious plans to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into its suite of products, which includes biometric, face recognition, access control, and time and attendance management devices. This information was revealed by Mr. Manzoor Fatmi, the Regional Sales Director, EMEA, Union Community, at a media conference during the 2023 SECUREX West Africa Exhibition in Lagos.
Mr. Fatmi highlighted the central role that AI plays in enhancing the value proposition of their devices to the end-users. “As a biometrics device manufacturer, we are constantly exploring fresh and innovative ideas, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence. We strive to provide our end-users with significant added value across our biometrics and Time and Attendance devices”, he stated.
During the event, he also commented on the vast market potential in Nigeria for biometric solutions, recognizing the country as a crucial player in the expansion of the industry. He shared that Virdi Nigeria currently commands an impressive forty per cent market share in the mid to enterprise market segments, attributing the success to the high-quality and durability of their products. He further disclosed that the company’s devices could operate optimally for up to eight years.
In terms of growth strategy, Mr. Fatmi announced plans to increase Virdi Nigeria’s market share to at least seventy per cent in the next five years. To achieve this goal, Mr. Sudhir Pillai, the Regional Sales Manager, EMEA, Union Community, pointed out that the company is partnering with the right associates to push for a broader penetration of its products outside Lagos, especially in the Northern region of Nigeria.
Speaking about the integration of emerging technologies and AI into their devices, Mr. Pillai noted that AI would play an instrumental role in the biometrics industry’s future. He introduced the UBioX Premium device by Virdi Nigeria that seamlessly incorporates AI technology, offering additional benefits to end-users, such as video-running modules.
The Consulate-General of India in Lagos, Mr. Chandramouli Kern, also lauded Virdi Nigeria during his visit to the 2023 SECUREX West Africa Exhibition. He underscored the significance of access control through biometrics and securities through AI-enabled cameras in the current landscape. He commended Virdi Nigeria and similar companies for providing cutting-edge solutions for homes and enterprises.
The previous year, at the 2022 SECUREX Exhibition, Virdi Nigeria gained attention for showcasing its FBI-certified biometric device, which has since seen widespread acceptance across private and public enterprises in Nigeria and other African markets. With these new announcements, the company is set to pioneer further advancements in the biometrics and security industry.
