Datacard Implements GlobalPlatform Scripting Process for Personalizing Visa's New TIBC-III Smart Card.

Business Editors & Technology Writers

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 18, 2001

New scripting process simplifies issuance of

Visa EMV credit/debit and Visa Cash cards in Latin America 

Datacard Group today introduced a scripting process that makes issuance of Visa(R) branded smart cards faster, easier and less costly for Visa member banks in Latin America.

The new version of the Datacard(R) Script Builder is based on GlobalPlatform standards and is used to generate data and personalize TIBC-III, Visa's new smart card designed exclusively for the Latin American market. The issuer, without the need to buy anything new, can also use this scripting process when moving to GlobalPlatform multi-application smart cards.

Datacard Script Builder includes a script interpreter (or script framework), as well as the scripts required for secure data generation and high-speed card personalization. Member banks can use the process to issue Visa(R) TIBC-III-based smart cards that store applications such as Visa(R) EMV credit/debit, Visa Cash(R) and a range of loyalty applications.

"Without the GlobalPlatform scripting process, card issuers would have to create unique personalization applications for each smart card application. This would pose significant obstacles in terms of both cost and production time," according to Bob Beer, vice president of smart card solutions for Datacard.

"We worked closely with Visa and leading card issuers in Latin America to make smart card issuance fast, easy and cost-effective," Beer said. "Script Builder achieves this by making the process generic. Card issuers can use a single, easy-to-manage process to issue all Visa-branded smart cards."

Visa International has been actively promoting its branded smart card products in most major Latin American markets. Member banks are being encouraged to issue EMV credit/debit and Visa Cash cards because smart cards offer a strong line of defense against fraudulent activities such as "skimming," which involves the theft and duplication of magnetic stripe data. The smart cards also increase consumer demand for flexible, powerful and highly personalized financial cards.

"Smart card issuance represents a tremendous opportunity for Visa member banks in Latin America," Beer said. "Datacard's goal was to create a simple, turnkey personalization process that allows them to capitalize on it quickly and easily."

In addition to the new Script Builder, Datacard provides all the software, systems and services card issuers need to issue smart card products. The Datacard(R) Smart Card Personalization Manager (SCPM), the Datacard(R) Personalization Preparation Process (P3(TM)), an integrated solution from Thales e-Security, and Datacard's family of desktop and high-volume card issuance systems can be configured to meet the specific needs of any card issuer.

"Our software and systems have been proven in the world's most demanding smart card programs. The reliability and simplicity of our solutions allows card issuers to move quickly and with confidence," Beer said. "Also, many card issuers already use Datacard card personalization systems in their operations. In most cases, they can simply add smart card modules to their existing systems, which helps minimize their capital investment."

Datacard Group provides financial institutions, corporations, consumer marketers, governments, schools, healthcare providers, service bureaus and other enterprises with the software, systems and professional services they need to build successful card programs. The company's portfolio includes the world's best-selling smart card solutions and card issuance systems, as well as a complete line of digital identity systems. Consultative services include a smart card security laboratory that serves the world's leading smart card issuers. DataCard Corporation, doing business as Datacard Group, is privately held and based in Minnetonka, Minn. Datacard Group serves customers in more than 200 countries. (www.datacard.com)