Ceelox ID Server Edition

Ceelox ID offers the ability to eliminate the need for passwords across the enterprise through the use of fingerprint scanners attached to workstations.

This product can integrate into the environment and replace password logons for workstations, files, external drives and networks.

We found this tool to be fairly easy to setup and deploy. The installation process is quick and easy and is comprised of only a few steps. We first installed the server software on our domain controller and then installed the client software for the scanner on our XP workstation.

Both of these installs are guided by easy-to-follow installation wizards. Once we had all the software installed we began enrolling users. This is a fairly simple process.

However, it does require quite a few steps and some administration in Active Directory. We would have liked to see a more streamlined process for user enrollment.

Other than the few small glitches we ran into with user enrollment, this product performed quite nicely through our test. The scanner itself scans the finger as it is slid down a scan strip, rather than just placing the finger on the scanner. We found this to be a nice extra security feature, as it can get a more detailed scan.

Two PDF manuals are included. One is the administrator guide and the other is a user guide. Both are fully inclusive with all product features - the only difference is the way in which the product is used.

The administrator guide is designed for product use in a full enterprise deployment, whereas the user guide is more for stand-alone deployment. Both guides feature many screen shots and step-by-step installation and configuration instructions.

The company offers support via an annual maintenance contract, which includes phone and email technical support. There is also support available on the website and this includes a forum and various technical product documentation.

At a cost starting at about US$5,000 for the server license, with user licenses ranging from US$10 to US$25 per user, we find Ceelox's ID Server Edition to be an average value for the money. While this product does have some solid capability, management and integration need some improvements.

See original article on SC Magazine US