10 September, 2002
category: Biometrics, Education
PHILADELPHIA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sept. 9, 2002–Fargo Electronics, Inc. (Nasdaq:FRGO), today announced that Texas Instruments (NYSE:TXN) Radio Frequency Identification Systems (TI-RFid(TM)) of Plano, Texas, Plastic Card Systems, Inc. of Northboro, Mass., and ITC Systems of Toronto have joined the Fargo Technology Alliance (FTA), a global technology group that promotes effective, advanced smart card solutions. Based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Fargo creates innovative printing systems that personalize plastic identification cards, complete with digital images and text, lamination, and electronically encoded information.
Alliance members participate in special Technology Showcase events with Fargo’s Distribution Partners in conjunction with conferences and trade shows. The fourth Fargo Technology Showcase will take place one day prior to the American Society for Industrial Security 48th Seminar and Exhibition here at the Pennsylvania Convention Center September 10-14.
“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, optical, 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,” said Gary R. Holland, president and CEO of Fargo.
“The use of advanced technology, such as smart, proximity, or optical cards, is creating new opportunities for distributed card personalization systems,” Holland noted. “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.
Texas Instruments Radio Frequency Identification Systems is a leading developer and manufacturer of field-proven (RFID) solutions used in a broad range of applications worldwide. TI RFID Systems’ line of ISO 15693 contactless 13.56 MHz cards and readers brings a new level of security to the access control market with 2,000 bits of memory, faster data transfer speeds, a unique and secure ID and at-the-door read-write programmability.
“The security market is embracing 13.56 MHz RFID technology for access control and we are working with Fargo on an RFID-enabled PVC card printer/encoder that is compatible with our access control as well as our standard card products,” said Bill Allen, eMarketing manager for Texas Instruments RFID Systems.
Plastic Card Systems, Inc. offers Gatekeeper Digital Register software for positive employee identification via fingerprint biometrics using contactless smart cards, prox cards, magnetic stripe or bar codes, as well as the TouchStar Time and Attendance Access Control System, which permits one-to-one up to one to 4,000 stored fingerprint templates using PIN, proximity or MIFARE(R) smart cards. “PlastiCard has decided to add value by developing software that does more than create photo ID cards, it can track employee and visitor entrance and exit with biometric exact verification,” said Robert P. Axline, Chairman and CEO.
ITC Systems is an international company specializing in integrated transaction control systems since 1984. Typical closed societies utilizing ITC’s product lines include public libraries, university/college campuses and food service environments within large corporations or government departments. ITC has developed a line of Unattended-Point-of-Sale (UPOS) Terminals for a multitude of self-serve applications utilizing an e-purse Smart Card as the payment method. Their UPOS Terminals are successfully installed on vending machines, copiers, laundry machines, cash registers and other self-serve charge for use applications. To augment the product offering, ITC also provides back office transaction processing software, pay for print software and meal plan software.
“ITC Systems has offices in Toronto and St. Louis to serve both the Canadian and USA markets, and an extensive network of distributors, dealers, agents and experienced service contractors across North America, said Campbell Richardson, President of ITC Systems.
“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,” according to Kathleen Phillips, Vice President – Marketing. “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. The program is pulling together a wide range of expertise and products,” Phillips noted, “providing information on technology and markets, and creating a network of relationships to promote successful business-to-business partnering. Further, the Alliance has quickly become a valuable resource that sets our combined solutions apart from everyone else.”
“The Alliance is open to smart card software developers and manufacturers whose products or services complement Fargo products. Fargo facilitates a direct sales relationship between its Distribution Partners and Alliance Members,” Phillips said.
For more information on Fargo Technology Alliance members, go to http://www.fargo.com/smartcards/TechAlliance.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 Technology(TM) (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.
CONTACT: Fargo Electronics, Inc., Eden Prairie
David Schoeneck, 952/941-9470, ext. 423
E-mail: [email protected]
