BioMetAccess secures Venezuelan contract

But it’s happening right here in Springfield. It’s the story of BioMetAccess Co. LLC, the venture of brothers Nat and Randall Sprague.

The brothers distribute high-tech security devices including face, fingerprint and retinal scanners, surveillance devices such as closed-circuit TV and secure wireless communication networks.

BMA imports products from 10 countries and boasts a network of 300 resellers in 27 countries.

Its newest reseller, secured Oct. 17 after six months of negotiations, is Venezuela’s Grupo Secusat, which roughly translated means “group security.”

Co-owner and Vice President Nat Sprague said the deal is for perpetuity and worth “millions.”

“It takes the largest digital surveillance company in Venezuela and it gets us connected to sell them visual surveillance,” Sprague said. “Also, it gets them involved in biometrics. That’s just going to be a tremendous opportunity to get the products out.”

The Spragues also secured a $150,000 U.S. government contract Oct. 1 when they agreed to install CCTV and biometrics at Fort Leonard Wood.

Established in 2002 and tucked away in relative obscurity in the former Solo Cup factory, 700 N. Glenstone, south entrance, Nat Sprague estimates the company will make $3 million to $5 million next year. BMA made $300,000 in its first year, Sprague said.

“I see those profits with current technology,” he said. “It’s just market share.”

Doug Pitt’s ServiceWorld Computers, 1409 W. Sunshine, is already a BMA reseller. He said fingerprint scanners that cost as little as $300 make the technology available to residential customers but that 90 percent of his BMA sales are still to businesses.

“They’re very progressive in trying to stay up on the latest (biometric) products,” Pitt said of BMA.

While Sprague doesn’t expect the biometric market to fully mature for another 20 years, he said the technology is more widespread overseas.

“The United States has been slow to adopt (it), but it is happening,” he said.

Sprague said the U.S. market for biometrics was about $750 million in 2004 and is estimated to be in excess of $10 billion by 2010.

Sprague said it would take time for many Americans to become comfortable with having their bodies monitored and recorded closely, especially when it comes to using DNA for biometric purposes.

Current technology uses signatures or scans body parts such as fingers and retinas to identify a person. Future technology, some already in limited use, will use DNA, breath, odor and vein scans to establish IDs.

“We still have, to some degree, … that Big Brother mentality thing,” Sprague said about the reluctance to adopt biometrics, “and, especially here in independent Missouri, where we shoot first and ask later.”

He said in the coming year BMA would become a one-stop security shop, supplying their clients with human guards in addition to their gadgets and advice.

He said BMA, which has a core staff of 11, might hire more than 100 employees for duties including facility guards, personal bodyguards and private investigation.

“We’re not talking about Barney Fife with one bullet in his gun,” he said. “We’re talking about high-end security people.”