Datacard Introduces Enhanced Smart Card Module for Flagship Card Issuance System.

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 1999--

New, high-speed module supports unlimited application and card sizes

Datacard announced a new smart card module for the Datacard(R) 9000 Series card issuance system today at CARTES '99 in Paris. The new Datacard(R) Generation 2E smart card module offers advanced capabilities and productivity enhancements that will enable card issuers to accommodate emerging requirements, such as personalization of cards with more complex applications and larger data capacity, as well as multi-application smart cards.

"Card issuers need productive, forward-thinking solutions to handle multi-application cards and other advances in smart card technology," said Bonnie Lervik, senior vice president for Datacard. "We've developed a fully integrated, end-to-end smart card strategy to help card issuers meet those challenges profitably. This new module is one component in that broad strategy."

In addition to handling multi-application cards, the new smart card module accommodates larger personalization applications and it supports up to 2-megabyte cards. "Support for higher memory cards will soon be a critical capability," Lervik said. "Especially as multi-application cards become more common."

The new module supports a Windows NT operating and development environment, Ethernet support and up to 115K baud communication speed for applications requiring high-speed loading and personalization.

"We designed the new module to make the migration path smooth and seamless for our current Datacard 9000 Series System customers," Lervik said. "The module architecture allows our customers to install the new module and continue running smart card applications as they were, then move to a network environment when they are ready. Customers can also upgrade existing smart card modules with no impact on operations."

Lervik said the new Generation 2E module will be available for volume shipment in May 2000, while being tested in select customer environments today. Datacard began taking orders for the new module today at CARTES '99.

Datacard Group is a diversified technology enterprise comprised of three market-focused divisions. Datacard Worldwide provides financial institutions, retailers, loyalty marketers and service bureaus with the world's best-selling card issuance systems. Credentia creates identity-based systems for corporate, government and education markets. MedAssure offers technologies that help healthcare organizations strengthen customer satisfaction, enhance efficiency and improve patient care. Datacard Corporation, doing business as Datacard Group, is privately held and based in Minnetonka, Minn. Datacard Group serves customers in more than 120 countries. (www.datacard.com)