DATACARD ENTERS MOBILE ARENA THROUGH NEW RELATIONSHIP
WITH Mobileway

New agreement is latest success for Datacard's platform management architecture

Datacard Group today announced it has initiated joint development and marketing activities with Mobileway, a leading enabler of data delivery for mobile applications. As part of the new relationship, the two companies intend to provide network operators, handset manufacturers, banks, healthcare providers, retailers, government agencies and other organizations with the ability to deliver applications and content to wireless devices with anywhere/anytime flexibility.

The Datacard® Affina™ Platform Management Architecture will allow organizations working in the wireless realm to deliver content and add, block or delete applications remotely.

The Affina system will also enable the construction of rich data files for each customer and every device in the field. Wireless solution providers can use this information to drive product development efforts and provide consumers with offers and solutions that are tailored to their preferences. The Affina system's robust security framework also provides essential building blocks for m-commerce applications and mobile pre-payment solutions.

According to Martin Kearsley, managing director and senior vice president of Datacard's Solutions business, joint efforts with Mobileway strengthen Datacard's leadership position and provide its customers with exciting new capabilities.

"As the recognized market leader, it is our responsibility to create new market opportunities for our customers and develop high-impact products for consumers," Kearsley said. "By adding a wireless channel to our Affina platform management architecture, we are anticipating market needs and providing both consumer marketers and their customers with secure, high-performance products that make life simpler, smoother and more convenient."

"Solutions that emerge from the Datacard-Mobileway relationship will greatly expand possibilities for Datacard's customers within the arena of multi-application smart card management," Kearsley said.

"The new wireless channel provides a mobile solution in advance of emerging 2.5G and 3G technology," Kearsley said. "By capitalizing on Mobileway's exclusive connections between the data gateways of the main mobile phone networks around the world, Datacard is able to offer its customers the secure application and content delivery through the Affina system."

"We are delighted to be collaborating with Datacard. Integrating the strength of two market leaders such as Datacard and Mobileway is certain to result in important new products and capabilities for wireless solutions providers in a variety of markets," said Patrice Peyret, Mobileway's chief executive officer. "Integrating the management and tracking capabilities of Affina to our solutions is a very powerful concept. We expect great things from this relationship."

Kearsley said market demand for the Affina platform management architecture is strong, largely because of its open, flexible architecture and because of the broad support it is receiving from smart card issuers and industry associations.

"The Affina system supports a wide range of platforms, including Java Card™, MULTOS™, GlobalPlatform and Proton Prisma. It also supports multiple delivery channels, of which mobile connectivity is just one," Kearsley said. "We believe we have created the industry's premier platform management architecture when we launched the Affina system. It is terrific to see market leaders, such as Mobileway, confirm our beliefs."

Datacard Group provides financial institutions, corporations, consumer marketers, governments, schools, healthcare providers, service bureaus and other enterprises with the software, systems and professional services they need to build successful card programs. The company's portfolio includes the world's best-selling smart card solutions and card issuance systems, as well as a complete line of digital identity systems. Consultative services include a smart card security laboratory that serves the world's leading smart card issuers. DataCard Corporation, doing business as Datacard Group, is privately held and based in Minnetonka, Minn. Datacard Group serves customers in more than 200 countries (www.datacard.com).