Datacard Launches Eight New Smart Card Solutions for Visa Member Banks.

Business Editors & Technology Writers

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 4, 2002

Visa-approved packages simplify the issuance and card life cycle

management of Visa-branded smart card products

Datacard Group today introduced eight new packages that provide Visa member banks with the software, hardware and services they need to easily and cost effectively migrate from magnetic stripe cards to smart cards.

The Visa-approved packages, offered under the Visa Global Smart Partner Program, feature specially negotiated prices for Visa member banks and are designed to give Visa issuers around the world easy and cost-effective options for planning and executing a successful smart card program, including the migration to EMV chip cards.

The eight Datacard solutions include everything issuers need to create, test, personalize and load smart card applications (applets) on Visa smart cards. The solutions also include software and systems needed to dynamically manage cards and applications on cards after they are in customers' hands. The breadth of the offerings, along with the scalability of each solution, makes the packages a perfect fit for smart card programs of any size.

General capabilities of the eight Visa-approved packages include:

-- A development kit to assist in the creation and testing of Visa smart card
applications (applets) to run on Java(R) and GlobalPlatform cards

-- Systems to assist in the testing of the smart card loading and
personalization process

-- Complete turnkey solutions for the loading and personalization of Visa smart
cards on virtually any Datacard desktop or high-volume personalization system

-- Systems and services for the creation and management of a full dynamic
multi-application smart card environment in which applications can be added,
deleted or updated on cards that have been issued and are in cardholders' hands

Datacard collaborated with Visa International to develop the eight solutions, which were introduced to Visa member banks at the CARTES 2001 smart card conference in Paris.

"The turnkey nature of the solutions relieves the apprehension some member banks may have regarding the transition to smart cards and EMV chip cards," said Jim Harper, marketing director for Datacard's smart card solutions group. "We've made it extremely easy for card issuers participating in the Visa Global Smart Partner Program to build productive operations and capitalize on emerging smart card opportunities."

The smart card solutions specially designed for Visa members include:

Smart Card Application (Applet) Developers Kit (ADK)

Using the Datacard(R) Aptura(TM) card operating system and a new Datacard(R) Aptura(TM) Applet Development Kit (ADK), new smart card applications can be developed and performance tested for industry standard Java(R) or GlobalPlatform cards.

Smart Card Personalization Development and Test Systems

Card personalization applications can be developed and tested with this package, including the testing of new personalization scripts and applications which conform to GlobalPlatform open standards for the loading and personalization of smart cards. Application loading and card personalization can then be tested using any Datacard(R) desktop card personalization system or via a smart card reader attached to a personal computer.

Pilot/Low-Volume Smart Card Issuance

Visa smart cards can be loaded and personalized using a Datacard(R) 150i or Datacard(R) 280/295 desktop issuance system. These systems are ideal for smart card pilots or low-volume issuance programs where embossing is needed.

Central Smart Card Issuance

Visa smart cards can be loaded and personalized using a Datacard(R) 9000, 7000 or 500 central issuance system. The flexible design of the Datacard systems allows card issuers to integrate multiple smart card modules in order to accommodate changes in card volume.

High-Speed Smart Card Issuance

Up to 6,000 Visa smart cards per hour can be loaded and personalized using a high-speed, 32-station Cybernetix(TM) HPX system. If embossing is needed, cards can be transferred from the HPX system to a Datacard(R) 9000, 7000 or 500 system for completion of the personalization and delivery process.

Outsourcing of Smart Card Data Generation and Data Management to Datacard

Card issuers can outsource data generation and data management to a secure, Visa-approved Datacard(R) Secure Processing Center (SPC). Data is securely transferred back to the customer location or an approved service bureau for personalization on a Datacard(R) 9000, 7000 or 500 system.

Card Life Cycle Management System and Service (2 solutions)

The Datacard(R) Affina(TM) platform management architecture provides the life cycle management capabilities card issuers need to track and manage dynamic multi-application smart cards, including Visa smart cards. Cards can be quickly and securely updated over various networks, including the internet, with new smart card applications after they are in cardholders' hands. Data managed by the Affina system can be used in a card data warehouse configuration to help plan and execute new and innovative card marketing programs.

Life cycle management solutions available to Visa members include:

-- Purchase or license Affina software for internal operation and

use

-- Outsource card life cycle management to Datacard. This

solution offers Visa members a value-priced alternative to

owning and operating an in-house Affina card management

system.

Datacard Group provides software, systems and professional services needed to build profitable card programs. The company's solutions portfolio also includes a complete line of secure digital identity systems and card personalization systems. Datacard Group is privately held and based in Minnetonka, Minn. Datacard Group serves customers in more than 200 countries. (www.datacard.com).