Dispensing units for dispensing items, such as in a healthcare facility, are linked in a network. The dispensing units use a fingerprint to authenticate users. The fingerprints on a short list reflect recent authorization, and permit access without other identifying information. Dispensing units in the network may use different fingerprint scanning technologies, but are made compatible by enrolling fingerprints using the different technologies. Two or more reference fingerprints may be stored at a dispensing unit, permitting either a primary fingerprint or alternate fingerprint to gain access to that dispensing unit. During enrollment of a user, fingerprints for a user may be “fast tracked” for registration based upon a quality determination.