Fargo HDP820 Card Printer/Encoder Will Be Exhibited In Microsoft Partners Pavilion At COMDEX November 18-22.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

COMDEX Fall 2002

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 2002

Fargo Electronics, Inc. (Nasdaq:FRGO), a Microsoft Smart Card Associate, will be exhibiting a Fargo HDP820 card printer/encoder at the Microsoft Partners Pavilion at Fall COMDEX 2002 in Las Vegas November 18-22. Fargo will be located at Station 128 in the Microsoft Partners Pavilion (5058B).

The HDP820 is now available with an internal E-Card Docking Station and one, two, or three e-card encoders, to manage emerging electronic card technologies such as:

-- ISO 7816 contact smart chips - the world's most commonly used contact smart card standard (read and write);

-- Mifare(R) contactless smart chips (read and write); and

-- HID proximity ("prox") cards (read-only).

The internal E-Card Docking Station and encoders make the High Definition Printing(TM) HDP820 "the most advanced desktop solution for printing and encoding smart cards available in the marketplace," said Neil O'Mara, Fargo's Director - E-Card Business Development and Special Projects.

"The E-Card Docking Station provides everything needed for an application program to communicate with from one to three specific types of e-card technology through a standard RS-232 interface. It can also be equipped with magnetic heads for ISO or JIS II magnetic stripe encoding.

"After encoding, users can print plastic identification cards on one or both sides - high quality, full-color, dye-sublimation and resin thermal transfer printing - in a seamless, one-pass process," O'Mara said. "Frequently, e-cards are used to provide additional biometric security features for identification cards such as fingerprint, iris, or facial recognition scan templates, which can then be compared with the cardholder's biometric characteristics to determine access privileges."

Fargo Electronics is a leading developer, manufacturer, and supplier of desktop systems that personalize plastic cards. "The technology within the card is becoming as important as what is printed on the card," explains O'Mara.

"As e-cards become more widely accepted, particularly in the U.S., the ability to provide complete solutions for these applications will be increasingly more important. At the same time, encoding has increased from relatively simple bar code and magnetic stripe cards to more complex schemes, including hybrid cards that comprise two or more technologies. The ability to encode several different technologies is important to avoid obsolescence of current access systems.

"The High Definition Printing HDP820 Printer/Encoder from Fargo provides the highest quality printing on e-cards, and enable end users to print and encode cards that support Microsoft Windows for Smart Cards."

O'Mara directs Fargo's strategy for smart cards, proximity cards and advanced magnetic stripe cards. He also directs the Fargo Technology Alliance (FTA), a global technology group that promotes effective, advanced smart card solutions. "The Fargo Technology Alliance now unites 29 smart card solution providers with Fargo's international and domestic network of distribution partners. With the Alliance members - the very best smart and proximity card application software developers and manufacturers - working together with our global distribution system, Fargo is able to provide a wider range of complete solutions for end users. This generates sales for all companies involved, and builds Fargo's competitive advantage," O'Mara concluded.

For more information on emerging smart card technologies, contact your Fargo Solution Provider, or visit http://www.fargo.com/smart_cards/card_technologies.asp.

For more information on Fargo Technology Alliance members, go to http://www.fargo.com/smart_cards/Tech_Alliance.asp or see their web sites: AcSys Biometrics Corp. www.acsysbiometricscorp.com; Aurora Biometrics, Inc. at www.aurorabiometrics.com; Banque-Technology Systems, www.banquetec.com; BIO-key International at www.bio-key.com; Bioscrypt, Inc. at www.bioscrypt.com; CardLogix at www.cardlogix.com; CardSmart Technologies at www.YourCardSolution.com; CASI-RUSCO at www.casi-rusco.com; Cyberpro Technologies, Inc. at www.cyberpro.ca; Datakey, Inc. at www.datakey.com; Datastrip at www.datastrip.com; Gemplus at www.gemplus.com; IDenticard Systems at www.identicard.com; Intercede Group, www.intercede.co.uk ; InterMarte Corporation at www.InterMarte.com; Intraproc at www.intraproc.com; ITC Systems at www.itcsystems.com; IT Consultants Limited at www.consultantit.net; LaserCard Systems Corporation at www.lasercard.com; Lexington at www.lexingtontech.com; Nfive Software at www.nfive.com; Plastic Card Systems, Inc. at www.plasticard.com; SchlumbergerSema at www.slb.com; SmartDynamics at www.smartdynamics.com; Synercard at www.synercard.com; Texas Instruments RFID Systems at www.ti-rfid.com; Thales e-Security at www.thales-esecurity.com; UbiQ at www.ubiqinc.com; and Universal at www.unicard.com.au

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 is the only manufacturer to offer three distinct technologies in printing systems - High Definition Printing(TM) (reverse image), traditional Direct-to-Card printing (dye-sublimation), and CardJet Printing(TM) technology (inkjet) - to personalize 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 Corporations, National IDs, Drivers' Licenses, Universities, Schools, Government Installations, Transportation, Casinos, Healthcare Facilities, E-commerce, Retail Stores, Correctional Institutions, Associations, Sports Events and Recreation Sites. More than 60,000 Fargo systems have been sold in the U.S. and over 80 other countries. For more information, visit Fargo's Web site at http://www.fargo.com.