Alternative Technology to Offer Gemalto's Web-based Authentication Device Administration.

Enabling Authenticated Access to Networks, Gemalto Card Management Software-as-a-Service is Now Available for VARs to Resell Along with Smart Cards 

SAN FRANCISCO -- Gemalto, the world leader in digital security and Alternative Technology, a leading specialty value added distributor of edge infrastructure, virtualization, storage and security solutions, are making it easier for small and medium enterprises to achieve the highest levels of security in network access and identity management. Alternative Technology will now be offering Gemalto's new on-demand Device Administration Service (DAS) through its network of 3,000 resellers in the United States and Canada.

Developed and hosted by Gemalto and supported by Alternative Technology, the subscription-based DAS is a comprehensive online service for issuing and administering strong authentication devices. Following the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, DAS eliminates the need to purchase a server or software.

"Many organizations want to replace passwords with device-based authentication, but implementation cost and complexity can be a barrier," said John Stubbs, vice president of business development, Alternative Technology. "This new on-demand admin system solves those problems by delivering a very low cost-of-entry, as well as a faster and easier deployment."

"By putting these administrative functions in the hands of users and channel partners, we have very dramatically simplified the provisioning process for ordering and issuing strong authentication devices," said Francois Lasnier, vice president and general manager, security, for Gemalto North America. "DAS will appeal to organizations that do not want to invest in a complex in-house device management solution, and to companies interested in running pilots or completing deployments in very short timeframes."

Gemalto's innovation enables IT administrators to use a Web browser interface to issue and perform day-to-day management operations on any Gemalto .NET device in the Protiva range, including the new Smart Enterprise Guardian (SEG). DAS also includes an intuitive end-user portal with self-service capabilities. This makes it easy for users to update or reset PIN codes themselves, or to place digital certificates on their Gemalto .NET smart cards or USB tokens, facilitating rollout.

Once set up using DAS, Gemalto .NET devices are used to secure network access and identities. An on-board computer and software act as a "second factor" required to access information and applications, protecting organizations and individuals from the risks of stolen passwords. The cards and secure USB dongles can also be used to encrypt email, or digitally sign emails or electronic documents. And the latest Gemalto SEG USB device also features PIN protected Flash memory and hard disk encryption capabilities. And Gemalto .NET smart cards can optionally serve as an ID badge for building access, giving employees one credential for both digital security and physical access control.

The DAS service is compatible with Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox Web browsers and runs on Windows 2000, XP and Vista operating systems. 8x5 and 24x7 live support plans are available.

About Alternative Technology

Alternative Technology is a leading specialty distributor for value-added resellers who need products and services targeted at thin-client/server-based computing, edge infrastructure, virtualization, security, and wireless markets. Driving the widespread adoption of leading-edge technologies by bridging the gaps between products and services to solve critical business problems, Alternative Technology identifies business issues that are key to its markets and offers multivendor solutions that drive demand back through its resellers. Alternative Technology, headquartered in Englewood, Colo., has offices in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Carlsbad, Calif. and Mississauga, Canada. Alternative Technology is a wholly owned subsidiary of Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions, which is a business segment of Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: ARW). For more information, go to: www.AltTech.com, e-mail: [e-mail] or call toll-free: 800.544.7674 (USA), or 866.240.9991 (Canada).

About Gemalto

Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO) is the leader in digital security with pro forma 2007 annual revenues of over EU1.6 billion, more than 85 offices in 40 countries and about 10,000 employees including 1,300 R&D engineers.

In a world where the digital revolution is increasingly transforming our lives, Gemalto's solutions are designed to make personal digital interactions more convenient, secure and enjoyable.

Gemalto provides end-to-end digital security solutions, from the development of software applications through design and production of secure personal devices such as smart cards, SIMs, e-passports and tokens to the deployment of managed services for its customers.

More than a billion people worldwide use the company's products and services for telecommunications, financial services, e-government, identity management, multimedia content, digital rights management, IT security, mass transit and many other applications.

As the use of Gemalto's software and secure devices increases with the number of people interacting in the digital and wireless world, the company is poised to thrive over the coming years.

Gemalto was formed in June 2006 by the combination of Axalto and Gemplus.

For more information, please visit www.gemalto.com.