The Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) was substantially upgraded in 2014 to include future identification modalities and hardware infrastructure to serve many years into the future. The upgrade included implementation of an active-to-active system that functions continuously between two different physical locations (California and Texas). In the event of a catastrophic failure in either location, the ABIS can continue to function on the other location with minimal downtime and impact to business operations. In 2016, WIN upgraded Montana’s network circuits for ABIS, again to serve for many years into the future. ABIS is very stable for Montana’s use and has capacity for expanding use and biometric modalities for many years to come. ABIS, the DOJ Computerized Criminal History System (CCH), and electronic fingerprint capture devices called livescans are inextricably linked for the processing of biometric transactions and establishment of Montana’s criminal history records. DOJ is involved currently in major project to upgrade its CCH. The same resources for the CCH Project would be required to replace the WIN ABIS with a new vendor’s product.
