Passport & Boarding Gate Readers, Scanners, Imagers, Self-Service Kiosks, Receipt Printers

Access-IS MRTD (Machine Readable Travel Document) readers have just been deployed in insurance kiosks designed and manufactured by leading provider, Sentios Technology. The kiosks operated by Columbus Direct are located throughout Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal and offer a hassle free solution for travellers who have either overlooked or forgotten travel insurance.

To have these kiosks located ‘Airside’ is unusual in that many insurance companies do not operate past security and passport control. It is often considered that ‘travel’ begins at this point and it is therefore too late to take out insurance.

However, Columbus Direct take a different view and feel that, even at this late stage, the ability for travellers to protect themselves is worthwhile. Indeed, the presence of the kiosks acts both as a reminder and a solution, allowing travellers to take a tailored insurance policy in under 3 minutes, choosing from options including gadget and sports cover.

Integrated into each kiosk is an Access-IS OCR601-MK2 High-Performance Flatbed MRTD reader, which automatically detects when a document with an MRZ (Machine Readable Zone) has been inserted. Its advanced recognition engine provides highly accurate and instant data capture reducing user input to a minimum. By taking data directly from the passport the possibility of errors is removed and therefore so is the prospect of a policy being invalidated.

The OCR601-MK2 offers a number of benefits when compared to alternatives. Unlike a top-of-the-range full-page passport reader, it delivers a low cost, but high performance solution for reading the MRZ and chip information where full page image capture is not required. When compared to a simple swipe reader, the highly intuitive design means customers are easily able to place their document correctly – first time, every time.

Speaking about the Access-IS document scanners, Adam Measor, Project Manager at Sentios Technology said “Having installed Access-IS barcode readers in retail kiosks previously, we selected their innovative half-page passport readers for this application because of its ease of integration, high performance and reputation for delivering years of trouble free, frontline, public use”.

About Sentios Technology

Sentios Technology provides interactive self-service kiosk solutions for end users and industry partners, incorporating hardware, software and support provision. Sentios offers a range of standard touchscreen kiosks to cater for indoor or outdoor installations, all of which are customisable in their design and functionality. 

Sentios is also able to offer bespoke solutions, either to integrate with new or existing systems or as a standalone project. A flexible and collaborative approach is crucial to successful delivery of the best possible solution for all project stakeholders.

With a range of professional services available including design, prototyping, site surveys, manufacture, assembly, installation and training, our expert team will help to make your interactive solution a reality.

About Access-IS

Access-IS is at the forefront of the development of innovative electronic systems specialising in image processing, RFID/NFC technology, barcode reading and specialist keyboards. Access-IS are dedicated to manufacturing products designed to accurately capture and transfer information into electronic systems.

Operating in over 72 countries around the globe in three highly specialised verticals; Airline/Airport, ID & Security and Transport Ticketing. In addition to our specialist custom keyboards, which are now the ‘de-facto’ standard for some of the largest banks, airlines and retailers in the world, the product range includes boarding gate readers, a wide range of document readers for ID document capture and scanning and ticket readers for ground transport and access control.

Access-IS ID & Security products are designed to read e-Passport, e-ID and e-DL for governmental and commercial applications. From the world’s smallest OEM OCR reader to our advanced full-page passport reader, we have a product for every application; Border control, Immigration, Document Issuance, Law Enforcement, Banking, Retail, Data Capture, KYC or Anti-Money Laundering and Age Verification.

Accredited to ISO9001:2008 and with a track record stretching back 30 years, Access-IS continues to guarantee the highest standards of design and quality with its dedicated Research and Development team based in the UK and the vast majority of its products manufactured in the UK with only the highest quality materials and techniques.