Expansion of iSYS' product line to target police and security forces was advanced through the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development's Business Retention and Expansion program, a program that annually helps approximately 100 clients proactively identify opportunities for expansion.

"The expansion of the company's product line and new source of revenue represents the value of the Provincial Government and the business community working collaboratively through the Business Retention and Expansion program," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation Trade and Rural Development. "By taking the time to identify new opportunities, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on the emerging market for digital forensic imaging evidence. Its product will help contribute to the growth of the company's operations in the province and to police and security forces in the investigative process."

The forensic image analysis tool kit was developed in consultation with forensic experts and police forces in the United Kingdom and North America. The new software is designed to bring time-saving automation to the tedious tasks that normally slow down fingerprint and footprint identification.

"While the field of forensics is outside of our traditional market environment, it represents a great opportunity for our technology," said John Guzzwell, Vice-President, Business Development, iSYS. "The Business Retention and Expansion process helped us to identify what is required to achieve our objectives and the available resources like the Commercialization Program that will allow us to capitalize on the opportunity."

Incorporated in 1999, iSYS is a St. John's-based engineering company with over 70 years of collective employee experience in customizing software solutions. Having developed a number of image enhancement products, it is best known for its PixFix® Red-Eye system which automatically scans images and corrects red eye resulting from flash photography.

"I commend the iSYS team for the implementation of its innovative forensic imaging tool kit, a natural extension of the company's core business line that sets it apart in the field of technology solutions," said Tom　Osborne, MHA, St. John's South. "With licensed software solutions already being sold in Europe, North America, and Asia, iSYS is on the path for continued growth."

Business Retention and Expansion is an innovative program that provides one-on-one assistance to existing local businesses in strategic sectors throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. The program helps clients identify and address issues impacting their operations and capitalize on opportunities for growth.

This initiative was funded through the Commercialization Program, which through Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future was allocated $1 million. Administered by the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, the program assists private sector enterprises in bringing their innovative products to market.

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　2010 04 13                                                    11:00 a.m.