Datacard Laser Engraving Systems Selected for Issuance of Dutch Passports and National IDs.

Business Editors & Technology Writers

MIAMI, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2000

Security and productivity of laser engraving technology

helps secure high-profile contract

Datacard Group announced at CardTech/SecurTech 2000 today that its laser engraving systems will be used to issue Dutch passports and national ID cards beginning January 2001. Enschede/SDU, the Dutch security printer managing the Dutch passport and national ID programs, agreed to purchase an undisclosed number of Datacard(R) passport systems and Datacard(TM) card personalization systems. Both systems feature Datacard's proprietary, highly secure laser engraving technology.

"As this was a highly competitive bid, we're pleased the Dutch government chose Datacard laser engraving systems and card personalization systems after its review process," said Jerry Johnson, president and CEO of Datacard Group. "The Dutch government wants to reduce forged and altered identity documents -- we're confident our systems provide the best solution."

Datacard's laser technology engraves high-resolution images below the surface of a passport page or national ID card -- which makes the documents extremely difficult to alter or forge. Photos, text, bar codes, micro-printing, signatures and other graphic elements can be printed on both passports and plastic ID cards at very high resolution.

"Enschede and the Dutch government said they selected the Datacard passport and card personalization systems because they offer a unique combination of security and productivity," Johnson said. "They weren't willing to comprise on speed or security -- and our systems best met their criteria."

Dutch officials plan to ask citizens to use passports for travel outside of Europe, while the photo ID card will allow for travel between most European countries. "Other governments in Europe and other parts of the world are evaluating our passport issuance and card personalization systems for similar applications, " Johnson said. "In fact, interest is so strong, we expect 10-15% annual growth in this business over the next several years."

Datacard currently provides ID issuance systems to governments in more than 40 countries. The systems are used to produce a variety of secure documents, ranging from driver's licenses and employee badges to national IDs and border-crossing cards.

"The Netherlands represents our tenth national ID program, but our first passport issuance application," Johnson said. "It's a very promising program. We're looking forward to working with Enschede/SDU and the Dutch government over the next several years."

In addition to the standalone laser engraving system that will be used to personalize the Dutch national IDs, Datacard offers a full line of secure card personalization systems, ranging from modular, high-volume systems for centralized issuance to desktop systems for distributed issuance. Government agencies, corporations, financial institutions and other enterprises use these Datacard systems to issue government IDs, driver's licenses, student IDs, employee badges and a variety of financial cards, including credit, debit, ATM and stored value cards.

Datacard Group is a world leader in innovative plastic card personalization and identity management solutions. The company provides its customers with integrated systems for a variety of financial, identification and healthcare applications. A diverse solutions portfolio features a broad range of card-related products and services, including the world's best-selling card personalization and printing systems. Datacard Group also offers smart card personalization systems and applications, custom solution development and products designed to enhance card issuing operations. 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)