Thin batteries power recognized bank cards
20 December, 2007
category: Contactless
Solicore’s paper-thin Flexion batteries are powering MaatCard by UNIPAY’S, which received the OSCARDS award for “Best International Technology.” MaatCard is based on a unique acoustic technology developed by nCryptone and is said to be the first worldwide acoustic contactless bankcard.
OSCARDS “Best International Technology” Winner, MaatCard, Powered by Solicore
First Worldwide Acoustic Contactless Bankcard Honored by Banking Experts
LAKELAND, Fla.–Solicore’s paper-thin Flexion® batteries are making waves in the bankcard industry powering MaatCard by UNIPAY’S, which received the prestigious OSCARDS award for “Best International Technology.” MaatCard is based on a unique acoustic technology developed by nCryptone and is the first worldwide acoustic contactless bankcard. Positioned to enhance security in banking transactions, especially in developing regions such as Cameroon, as well as Africa as a whole, this card is facilitating mobile banking (m-banking) services.
The OSCARDS are awarded by a five-member jury composed of representatives of two VISA card issuing banks, Banesto (Spain) and Citibank (Europe), and two MasterCard issuing banks, Credit Agricole (France) and Arkea (France), as well as one representative from Affinion International, a company specialized in customer relations, customer relationship management (CRM) and loyalty programs. Two groups, Altenor Consulting and Publi-News, track card innovations throughout the year. This year, of 400 possible nominees, Altenor and Publi-News narrowed the field to 40 finalists, awarding OSCARDS to one card in different categories: loyalty, services, prepaid, visual and forms and technologies. The award recognizes extraordinary innovation in bankcard applications, and is one of the highest honors a card company can receive.
“We determine what is innovative by evaluating who provides the most differentiation for the issuing bank and who is offering something better to customers,” says Ange Galula, director of Publishing for Publi-News and editor-in-chief of Cartes MAG. “Not only is the MaatCard visually appealing, but its acoustic component made it the most unique card in the field this year.”
MaatCard is a multi-application, multi-component, multi-channel card and paper-thin, ultra-flexible Flexion batteries are a crucial component that enables the generation of a one-time sonic password used to authenticate transactions over a simple telephone line. This system offers users secure access to accounts from anywhere in the world, and is vital in most developing countries where up to 90 percent of people, mainly poor people living in rural areas, have limited or no access to banking services.
“We are proud to be partnered with nCryptone as the power source of the award-winning MaatCard. This award validates the new horizons our Flexion batteries have opened up for the banking industry and our relationship with nCryptone will help drive the direction of the emerging African microfinance market,” says David Corey, CEO of Solicore.
MaatCard has received approval from the Central Bank of Central African States and a pilot program with one of UNIPAY’S partner banks is scheduled for rollout very soon in Cameroon. “Thanks to the new Flexion battery technology of Solicore, MaatCard is positioned to be a pioneer in the payment solution industry. It is essential that Solicore and nCryptone’s technical expertise is integrated in these third generation payment tools in Africa,” says Patrick Ulanowska Chairman of UNIPAY’S Group. “The OSCARDS award is recognition of our innovative approach setting high standards for card manufacturers,” he adds.
Full commercial deployment in Africa is scheduled to be completed during the third quarter of 2008.
About Solicore, Inc.
Solicore is a worldwide leader of embedded power solutions, offering its Flexion® product portfolio of advanced ultra-thin flexible lithium polymer batteries for powered cards, RFID and micro medical devices. Solicore’s advanced battery technology is ultra-thin, flexible, safe and environmentally friendly, and significantly enhances the capabilities of lithium-based batteries. For more information, visit www.solicore.com.
About nCryptone
nCryptone, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Prosodie (Reuters PSOE.PA www.prosodie.com), is the major actor of multi-channel strong authentication solutions, with an offer that covers the entire value chain. nCryptone relies on its recognized expertise in transmitting sound one time passwords and in power embedded cards which have an ISO bank card format. nCryptone’s range of products is composed of: nC AudioCard, a card that delivers acoustic dynamic passwords; nC DisplayCard, a bank card that displays a dynamic password on a flexible screen; nC Dual Output Token, a multi-purpose token which associates both authentication methods; and nC Server, a software suite of strong authentication management marketed under ASP mode. nCryptone is a member of the OATH Consortium and of the SmartCard Alliance. www.ncryptone.com
About UNIPAY’S
UNIPAY’S, Universal Payment System & Solutions, is a provider of payment services (e-money deals, mobile virtual portfolio) supporting dynamic solutions qualified for secure remote transactions. The company provides banking and corporate services platforms based mainly on software solutions for strong authentication and dynamic acoustic signatures. Its core business is to develop innovative solutions for secure transactions made via the telephone. For more information, visit www.maatcard.com.
