Fargo Forms Global Technology Alliance To Promote Effective Smart Card Solutions.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 20, 2001

Fargo Electronics, Inc. (Nasdaq:FRGO) today announced the formation of a global technology alliance to promote effective, advanced smart card solutions. Fargo is the world's leader in innovative technologies for desktop plastic card personalization systems.

"The Fargo Technology Alliance will connect Fargo's international and domestic network of distribution partners with the very best smart and proximity card application software developers and manufacturers. With these Alliance members working together with our distribution partners, Fargo is now able to provide a wider range of solutions for end users. This generates sales for all companies involved, and builds Fargo's competitive advantage," said Gary R. Holland, President and CEO of Fargo.

"The use of advanced technology, such as smart and proximity cards, is creating new opportunities for distributed card personalization systems," Holland noted. "Some marketing studies suggest that within the next five years, more than 50 million U.S. residents will carry chip-based smart ID cards. The U.S. Department of Defense Common Access Card project, which uses over 1,500 Fargo printers, is a prime example of the implementation of this technology.

Members of the Alliance announced today include: Bull CP8; CardLogix; CardSmart Technologies; Gemplus; IDenticard Systems; ImageWare; Intraproc GmbH; NFive Software; Schlumberger; SmartDynamics, LLC; Supercom Smart Cards Inc.; and UbiQ Inc.

Bull CP8 provides a wide range of smart card products and solutions including cards, readers, consulting, services and applications. CP8, Inc. is the North American distribution company of CP8 products and services. CardLogix is a leading U.S.-based provider of smart card platforms for the secure transaction of data and value. The CardLogix smart card technology platform is the basis for innovative applications throughout the world in retail point of sale, healthcare, security, finance and entertainment. CardSmart Technologies, headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey, is a premier provider of total solutions for ID card-based marketing and security applications.

Gemplus International S.A. (Euronext: Sicovam 5768 and Nasdaq:GEMP) has driven the global marketing and deployment of smart card-based applications for telecommunications, financial services and e-business security. IDenticard Systems of Lancaster, PA, manufacturers computer-based digital imaging systems, access control systems, and custom designed photo identification cards. A privately-held company established in 1970, IDenticard Systems writes and develops software for digital imaging and access control systems. ImageWare Systems Inc. (AMEX:IW) of San Diego has created the ID Group by merging G&A Imaging Ltd., Imaging Technology Corp., and Goddard Technology Corp. The ID Group is a leading developer of software applications, tools and services for the photo identification and secure document industry.

Intraproc GmbH of Ratingen, Germany is a system integrator for personalization of plastic cards, especially encoding of contacted- and contactless smart cards (both memory and processor solutions). NFive Software was founded in 1996 in Ericeira, Portugal. The company offers specialized printer driver development services for the card printer market. Schlumberger Malco, Inc. provides consulting, integration and products for smart card-based transactions, IP (Internet Protocol) network, security and wireless services. It is a business segment of Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB).

Smart Dynamics, LLC, Arlington, VA, is an industry leading provider of smart card development tools, applications and services. SuperCom Smart Cards Inc., Northvale, N.J., a Subsidiary of SuperCom Ltd. (EASDAQ:SPRC), markets contactless smart cards and related hardware and interface software for commercial and government applications. UbiQ Incorporated, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a provider of smart card personalization software for a variety of market segments and target solutions, ranging from single application desktop ID smart card issuance to mass issuance of multi-application smart cards.

Alliance members can participate in special Technology Showcase events with Fargo's Distribution Partners in conjunction with conferences and trade shows. The first Fargo Technology Showcase will take place one day prior to the CardTech/SecurTech 2001 trade show in Las Vegas.

"In just a few short years, Fargo card personalization technology has expanded from relatively simple systems for door access to much more complex personalization systems for the education, loyalty, healthcare, e-commerce and mass transit markets, just to name a few," Holland said. "At the same time, card encoding is evolving from relatively simple bar code and magnetic stripe cards to complex schemes with smart cards, proximity cards, and hybrid cards, which use multiple technologies on a single card."

"The primary goal of the Fargo Technology Alliance is to increase the sale of smart card products, card personalization systems and services," according to Joseph Schuler, Fargo's Electronic Card Product Manager. "The program is designed to pull together a wide range of expertise and products, provide information on technology and markets, and create a network of relationships to promote successful business-to-business partnering. Further, we believe this Alliance will quickly become a valuable resource that will set our combined solutions apart from everyone else."

"The Alliance is open to any smart card software developer or manufacturer whose products or services complement Fargo products. Fargo will facilitate a direct sales relationship between its Distribution Partners and Alliance Members," Schuler said.

For more information on Fargo Technology Alliance members, see their web sites: Bull CP8 at www.cp8.bull.com; CardLogix at www.cardlogix.com; CardSmart Technologies at www.YourCardSolution.com; Gemplus at www.gemplus.com; IDenticard Systems at: www.identicard.com; ImageWare Systems Inc. at www.iwsinc.com; Intraproc at www.intraproc.com; Nfive Software at www.nfive.com; Schlumberger at www.slb.com; SmartDynamics at www.smartdynamics.com; SuperCom Smart Cards at www.supercomsmart.com; and UbiQ at www.ubiqinc.com

About Fargo

Fargo Electronics, Inc. (Nasdaq:FRGO) is the world's leader in innovative technologies for desktop plastic card personalization systems. Based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Fargo printing systems create personalized plastic identification cards complete with digital images and text, lamination, and electronically encoded information.

Personalized identification cards provide physical, information and transaction security for a wide variety of applications including retail stores, e-commerce, government installations, schools, sports and recreation facilities, clubs and associations, and correctional facilities. More than 50,000 Fargo systems are currently installed throughout the U.S. and in over 100 other countries. For more information, visit Fargo's website at www.fargo.com.