Biometrics fits gymnasium group

Multimedia fingerprint devices are being used at CareTrac gymnasiums across regional New South Wales to help companies measure employee involvement in corporate health programs and tailor billing accordingly.

Troy Grogan, chief executive officer of CareTrac and workplace health consulting company AlphaOne, said the devices encouraged healthier workplaces by giving employee members a "mobile membership".

"For example, if you work in the central business district, and want to continue your program on the weekends, your finger print provides instant entry to one of our gyms within the national network," he said.

The devices (or terminals) measure fingers geometrically, with the data sent to central servers for monitoring via a mobile network.

Another key feature of the system was its ability to deliver biometric advertising, according to CareTrac. This would later be used to notify members of promotions.