Card Technology reports that several U.S. airlines will run a pilot with a “trusted traveler” smart card. 

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug. 12, 2002–Schlumberger (NYSE:SLB), a global technology services company, today announced it has been selected as a supplier of middleware, through its DeXa.Badge(a) information security offering, for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Common Access Card (CAC) program. This contract is also part of the DoD Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI).

According to the contract terms, Schlumberger is awarded an estimated $9.3 million multiple-award, firm-fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery and indefinite-quantity contract for the purchase of Schlumberger CACTUS middleware, including software licenses, media and maintenance, to function with the Common Access Card, part of the DoD access and identity management system.

The CAC is the government’s largest public-key infrastructure deployment. Identity cards with a microchip containing digital certificates, commonly known as smart cards, will be issued to all active duty civilian and military personnel by year-end 2003. Smart cards rely on middleware, which is a specific, standards-compliant software and/or Application Programming Interface (API) that allows an application running on a computer device to communicate with the Integrated Circuit Chip on the smart card to read, write and transfer objects such as digital certificates or employee identification data.

Schlumberger, a leader in smart card standards and system interoperability, is the only CAC vendor to provide middleware for both the Linux and Microsoft Windows(R) environments. With this unique multi-operating system support, the DoD can now extend CAC smart card deployment to non-Windows users.

“The DoD has been aggressive about leveraging the security and efficiencies of the smart card,” said Paul Stewart, vice president, Marketing & Technique, Schlumberger Network & Infrastructure Solutions. “Schlumberger has a unique IT legacy as one of the world’s first and largest developers of information security technologies, and this contract for middleware complements our delivery of the Schlumberger smart cards and readers to the DoD begun in 2001.”

Schlumberger began deploying security solutions for the DoD in September 2001, and by June 2002 had already delivered over one million smart cards as part of the CAC program. The readers are also an integral part of Schlumberger security solutions, serving as the link between users and networks. The U.S. Army is using the SchlumbergerSema Reflex(a) 72, Reflex USB and Reflex 20 PCMCIA readers, which in combination with smart cards and middleware enable secure network access and e-mail signature and encryption on desktop and portable PCs, as well as secure building access, through smart card contact-less authentication technology.

The Department of Defense contract covers a three-year period. Orders placed may reach a cumulative value from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $26,000,000 toward any DoD CAC middleware purchases. Any DoD organization can order Schlumberger CACTUS(a) middleware under this contract, which was awarded through the Naval Inventory Control Point, Mechanicsburg, PA (N00104-02-D-Q668). Orders may begin upon completion of JITC testing, expected in mid-September 2002.

About the DoD Enterprise Software Initiative

The DoD Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI) is a joint initiative to maximize DoD buying power and take advantage of the significant cost savings and management efficiencies that result from acquiring and managing commercially available software on a DoD-wide basis. The ESI is an approved initiative under the DoD Business Initiative Council (BIC). Additional information about the ESI can be located at www.don-imit.navy.mil/esi.

About Schlumberger

Schlumberger is a global technology services company consisting of two business segments, Schlumberger Oilfield Services and SchlumbergerSema. Schlumberger Oilfield Services supplies technology services and solutions to the international petroleum industry. SchlumbergerSema aggregates IT consulting, systems integration, managed services and related products to the telecommunications, energy and utilities, finance, transport and public sector markets. Both business segments offer the Schlumberger DeXa(a) Suite of Services to provide IP network connectivity, information security solutions, distributed computing support services and data center hosting services. In 2001, Schlumberger revenues were $13.7 billion. For more information visit http://www.slb.com/.

 

L.A. COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY EZPASS




September ‘Regional EZpass’ Goes on Sale August 25

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ – The MTA and municipal bus operators today took a huge step toward providing bus and rail riders with seamless transit service throughout Los Angeles County with the launch of the Regional EZpass, the county’s first regional transit pass program.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020813/LATU090 )

Beginning September 2002, transit riders will have the option of using the monthly Regional EZpass for unlimited travel on the Metro Bus and Rail systems, including the Metro Red, Blue and Green lines, and on the fixed route systems of 11 municipal bus operators. The September Regional EZpass will be available August 25 at most Metro Pass sales outlets and other outlets countywide.

“The Regional EZpass will provide riders who regularly use two or more of the 12 participating bus and rail systems with a common ‘currency’ that will simplify their commutes,” said Hal Bernson, MTA Board Chair. “Riders of multiple systems no longer will be forced to carry extra cash or purchase additional transit passes and we believe the added simplicity will encourage thousands of other commuters to try public transit.”

“The Regional EZpass also will speed boardings and eliminate the need for transfers and tickets,” Bernson added.

The Regional EZpass will be priced at $58 for a regular monthly pass, $29 for seniors, and $29 for the disabled (with appropriate identification including either an MTA Disabled ID card, Medicare card, LACTOA card or DMV placard). The Regional EZpass does not replace the individual transit operator passes which will continue to be available.

The Regional EZpass will entitle the pass holder to unlimited local travel on all MTA buses and trains and on the fixed route bus systems of the following municipal transit operators: Culver City Municipal Bus Lines, Foothill Transit, Montebello Bus Lines, Gardena Municipal Bus Lines, Commerce Municipal Bus Lines, Long Beach Transit, Norwalk Transit, Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus, Torrance Transit, Santa Clarita Transit and LADOT (Los Angeles Department of Transportation). The 12 transit systems operate a total of 386 bus lines and serve nearly 31,000 bus stops.

The multi-operator task force that developed the Regional EZpass will encourage the future participation of other local transit providers, Metrolink and other counties. The cost of the program for fiscal year 2003 will be approximately $2 million, which will be paid from Proposition A and C local transit sales tax funds.

The Regional EZpass represents the first major phase of a universal fare system (UFS). Within three years, MTA will debut an electronic smart card that will be accepted by the aforementioned transit providers, Metrolink and paratransit service providers

MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug. 13, 2002–Fargo Electronics, Inc. (Nasdaq:FRGO), Sony Chemicals Corporation Japan (SCC), and Sony Chemicals Corporation of America (SCCA) today announced the creation of a global technology and business alliance, as well as the amicable settlement of all pending litigation between the companies.

“The new alliance between Sony Chemicals and Fargo will link technologies from both companies to help produce innovative, technologically advanced ID card printers/encoders,” said Satoshi Kondo, President of Sony Chemicals Corp. of America. “Sony will provide technical assistance, know-how, and expertise in such areas as manufacturing, smart card, and other electronic and chemical technologies. Fargos global network of Professional Series Distributors (PSDs), Fargo Solution Providers (FSPs) and Fargo Import Suppliers will benefit from the ties between our two companies." <br /><br />"We are very pleased that Fargo and Sony have been able to achieve this alliance and end our litigation," said Gary R. Holland, President and CEO of Fargo. "Sony Chemicals has agreed that they will sell ribbons for Fargo printer/encoders only to Fargo. By forging these new ties, we will be able to apply the very best expertise and technical knowledge to the important task of advancing personal information and transaction security through the use of personalized plastic ID cards. Our distribution system will be enhanced by Fargos addition of Sony technology, and end users will benefit from new innovative technologies we develop as a result of this alliance.”

Sony Chemicals has, as one of its core business technologies, dye-sublimation ribbon development and manufacturing for use in ID card printers. Sony Chemicals also has advanced RF chip and smart card technology for use in a variety of security-related applications. Sony has, within its many corporate entities, advanced electronics technology along with strong, innovative knowledge of printing mechanisms design.

Fargo is the world’s leading manufacturer of desktop card printing and encoding systems used to produce plastic identification cards.

As a result of the alliance, the companies have amicably resolved the litigation that was filed by Fargo on April 24, 2002 in Federal District Court of Minnesota. The specific terms of the settlement are required to be kept confidential.

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.

Forward-looking Statements

Statements made in this release concerning the company’s expectations about future results or events are “forward-looking statements.” Such statements are subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995, and are necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements.

These risks include: product acceptance and customer demand for Fargo’s card personalization systems and proprietary supplies; actions taken and alternative products marketed by Fargo’s competitors; supplier relationships, including reliance on sole and single-source suppliers; lack of inventories of component parts or finished goods; our focus on the identification card personalization market; continuing technological changes in our industry; our dependence on a distribution network; domestic and international regulations and standards; our dependence on international sales; material changes in orders placed by end users; the speed of multiple system installations by large end users; challenges in effectively managing growth; our dependence on technologies we do not own; complex design and manufacturing delays; protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights; inadequate protection against infringement claims; adverse economic and business conditions, including conditions resulting from the terrorist attack on the U.S. on September 11, 2001 and the resulting hostilities; adverse changes in the Company’s business and distribution network as a result of the announcement of the now-terminated acquisition of the Company by Zebra Technologies Corporation. For more detail, see the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2001, and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2002 and June 30, 2002 

IRVINE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug. 13, 2002–SSP-Litronic, the Government Enterprise Division of information assurance provider SSP Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq:SSPX), today announced an estimated $9,990,000 multiple award from the Department of Defense (DoD) for a firm-fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery and indefinite-quantity contract for the purchase of Common Access Card (CAC) Middleware, to include software licenses, media and maintenance, to function with the DoD Common Access Card.

This contract is part of the DoD Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI).

Middleware is the software that allows an application running on a PC to communicate with the Common Access Card (smart card) being issued to all DoD ID card holders. The CAC, combined with SSP-Litronic’s NetSign middleware, allows the user to digitally sign and encrypt e-mail, logon to their PC, and perform other cryptographic functions.

NetSign CAC also supports SSP-Litronic’s series of ISO smart card readers, as well as industry compliant PC/SC smart cards readers. In the future, the SSP-Litronic Middleware will enable DoD applications to also communicate with SSP-Litronic’s next-generation Forte smart card token.

“We are very pleased to have been selected by the DoD to supply Common Access Card program middleware. SSP-Litronic has a long history of providing leading-edge information assurance products to the DoD and we are proud to have the opportunity to again demonstrate that our information security solutions are the trusted choice of the U.S. Government,” according to Kris Shah, co-chairman, SSP Solutions.

Under the terms of the contract, any DoD organization will be able to order SSP-Litronic Middleware. The cumulative maximum amount to be expended over the program period is $26 million. Work performed by SSP-Litronic for this three-year program will be completed by August 2005. This contract was competitively procured through the Navy Inventory Control Point, Mechanicsburg, Pa.

About the DoD Enterprise Software Initiative

The DoD Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI) is a joint initiative to maximize DoD buying power and take advantage of the significant cost savings and management efficiencies that result from acquiring and managing commercially available software on a DoD-wide basis.

The ESI is an approved initiative under the DoD Business Initiative Council (BIC). Additional information about the ESI can be located at www.don-imit.navy.mil/esi.

About SSP Solutions Inc.

SSP Solutions develops and distributes the SSP(TM) Solution Suite of services, hardware, software and embedded security products designed as the Trusted Symbol of the Digital Economy(TM). The company’s SSP-Litronic Division, based in Reston, Va., has a 30-year history of leading-edge technology and data security solutions for government communications.

SSP products embed security and trust throughout the transaction chain, protecting electronic communications and financial transactions, physical and electronic access, and the exchange of copyrighted digital content.

By combining its own technology with a range of partners’ technologies and intellectual properties, SSP products represent the first open embedded security architecture simultaneously supporting public key infrastructure (PKI) and multiple standards of digital rights management.

SSP’s enterprise security solutions address digital rights management, financial services, government and entertainment. For additional company information, visit http://www.sspsolutions.com/ or call 949/851-1085. For more information about the company’s SSP-Litronic Division call 703/905-9700.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation

Reform Act of 1995

With the exception of historical information, matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements involving a number of risks and uncertainties and may not be achieved due to factors beyond the company’s control, including changing regulatory and technological environments, the company’s ability to obtain key components from suppliers, technological difficulties, increased competition, and changing customer demands. Other risks inherent in the company’s business are described in Securities and Exchange Commission filings. SSP Solutions Inc. undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.



CONTACT: SSP Solutions Inc., Irvine Thomas E. Schiff (investors), 949/851-1085 tom.schiff@sspsolutions.com

or Richard M. Depew (editorial), 949/851-1085 richard.depew@sspsolutions.co 

BELLEVUE, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug. 12, 2002–

The Leading Smart Card Technology Solutions Provider Plans Global, Phased Implementation To Provide Holistic View of Customer and Improve Customer Service

Onyx(R) Software Corp. (Nasdaq:ONXS), worldwide leader in successful CRM, today announced that Gemplus Support Technology Labs has successfully gone live with the first phase of its Onyx implementation on time and on budget.

Although the initial rollout took place in Germany and France, Gemplus plans to eventually implement the Onyx CRM solution at 37 worldwide sites, including China, Singapore and the United States.

Gemplus is the world’s leading provider of solutions based on smart card technology for the telecom, financial and security sectors. Gemplus Support Technology Labs are development laboratories, responsible for designing and implementing support technologies and tools for Gemplus on a worldwide basis.

“Onyx was chosen as the system of choice because of its ability to offer a Web-based platform for the .NET solution,” said Fred Ulmer, R&D manager for Gemplus Support Technology Labs. “The .NET platform provides a Web service that runs more quickly, provides increased security and offers a highly effective software development infrastructure. We could easily adapt the Onyx Employee Portal to this chosen environment.”

Gemplus was developing an advanced customer support strategy to improve customer services worldwide. The company needed a system to provide a holistic view of all customer support and service interactions, enabling each business unit to log and track support incidents. In addition, the software needed to be easy to tailor, easy to use and easy to understand for support personnel, as well as include the capability to use the secure Internet as a standardized data communication infrastructure.

Other Onyx capabilities of interest to Gemplus included Onyx’s Web-based architecture, which eliminates any need to install, download and distribute software or applets for application execution to the end user. The company’s track record for fast implementation and customization made Onyx very strong compared with other competing vendors.

The project went live within four months, from the time Onyx was selected to the time the application was tailored to Gemplus’ business requirements and then implemented. Project execution has been within budgets and investments as analyzed and forecasted by Gemplus working with Onyx.

Gemplus also has plans for further expansion. Using the Onyx Employee Portal as the framework, Gemplus will be able to increase the user interface pages and increase functionality throughout the organization.

“By using Onyx we are now provided with a consistent view of all customer interactions. We can log and track all support incidents, enabling us to answer and measure customer requests more effectively and with worldwide consistent processes,” Ulmer said. “Onyx fulfilled the initial objectives and has delivered its promises on time and within our forecasted budgets.”

Gemplus is the world’s leading provider of solutions based on smart card technology. It has operations in 37 countries, the largest production capacity in the industry, and a presence in every majormarketplace.

About Onyx Software

Onyx Software Corp. (Nasdaq:ONXS), worldwide leader in delivering successful CRM, offers a fast, cost-effective, usable solution that shares critical information among employees, customers and partners through three role-specific, Web services-based portals. The Onyx approach delivers real-world success by aligning CRM technology with business objectives, strategies and processes. Companies rely on Onyx across multiple departments to create a superior customer experience and a profitable bottom line. Onyx serves customers worldwide in a variety of industries, including financial services, healthcare, high technology and the public sector. Customers include Agile Software Corp., Credit Suisse, Delta Dental Plans Association, Dreyfus Corp., Fluke Networks, Inc., Ingenix Health Intelligence, The Regence Group and Suncorp. More information can be found at 888/ASK-ONYX, info@onyx.com or http://www.onyx.com/.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements including statements about the anticipated future rollout of Onyx products by Gemplus. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the time the statements are made and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” variations of such words, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that the statement is not forward-looking. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Factors that could affect Onyx’s actual results include, but are not limited to, the successful deployment and use of Onyx products and the “Important Factors That May Affect Our Business, Our Results of Operations and Our Stock Price” described in our quarterly report on form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2002. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon these forward-looking statements that speak only as to the date of this release. Onyx undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Onyx is a registered trademark of Onyx Software Corp. in the United States and other countries. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.



–30–BRM/se*

CONTACT: Onyx Software Corp. Robin Rees, 425/519-4023 (office) robinr@onyx.com or Waggener Edstrom Jamey Chown, 425/638-7000 (office) jameyc@wagged.co 

Sponsored by the U.S. General Services Administration

NEW YORK, Aug. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – Thomson Media, publishers of Card Technology and ID Newswire, announce CardTech/SecurTech ID Conference & Exhibition to be held November 18-20, 2002 at the Renaissance Washington, D.C. Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Since 1990, over 75,000 people have attended CardTech/SecurTech conferences to learn how to tamper-proof ID cards, protect personal privacy, and increase security with advanced card technologies and biometrics. The most basic requirements for ID systems – identity proofing, authentication, and revalidation – continually must be revisited as advances are made in the technologies.

The 2002 CardTech/SecurTech ID Conference & Exhibition: Identification Technologies for a Secure World, sponsored by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), will focus on the critical ID initiatives facing the government community, from heightening homeland security to creating more secure ID cards for building or network access. The latest pilots, case studies and demonstrations related to ID solutions and technologies will be presented over a period of three days. The conference has been designed to provide a venue for Federal agencies to gather and share intelligence about the technologies and experiences for deploying large-scale ID systems.

The GSA’s Center for Smart Card Solutions is extremely active in developing and promoting government ID programs. One highly focused program is the GSA Smart Access Common ID program, managed by the GSA’s Center for Smart Card Solutions. Partnering with the GSA will afford government attendees the chance to learn from the GSA smart card personnel who will be onsite to provide assistance in understanding how to prepare task orders under the contract.

On Monday, November 18th two concurrent workshops designed for program managers and non-technical professionals will be held. One workshop has been designed by the Defense Manpower Data Center staff who has just issued the first one million smart common access ID cards to military personnel. The second workshop provides information about the smart card (contact and contactless) technologies and biometrics that anyone involved in developing an ID program will need to know.

Jim Hall, former chair of the National Transportation Safety Board will kick off the second day with a keynote presentation. This high level, visionary style presentation will provide insight into the airport and airline security environments, the same environment in which the new border security and visa processing systems will have been implemented.

Two concurrent sessions focusing on ID in Homeland Security and Agency ID Applications will round out the program. While the advanced card or biometric technologies used in Homeland Security IDs and in Agency IDs may be similar, the trust profiles and levels of risk associated with each environment are vastly different – impacting how ID systems will be designed and implemented into either environment.

CardTech/SecurTech ID will also feature an Exhibit Hall and Product Demonstration Rooms filled with industry leaders providing IT solutions to the government community. The exhibition is open to anyone who wants to network, learn and expand their knowledge for what it really takes to create effective ID systems that meet your needs.

Joining Thomson Media publications, Card Technology and ID Newswire, as the official Media Sponsors of CardTech/SecurTech are Government Computer News and Washington Technology magazines. For more information about CardTech/SecurTech please log on to http://www.ctst.com or call toll-free (800) 442-CTST or email ctstinfo@tfn.com.

About Thomson Media

Thomson Media, a division of The Thomson Corporation, is a leading provider of information, data and software tools for professionals in the financial services and related technologies markets. In addition to CardTech/SecurTech, Card Technology and ID Newswire, its primary products and businesses include: American Banker, Financial Planning, National Mortgage News, The Bond Buyer, Securities Industry News, The Global Banking Resource, Payments & Risk Solutions Products, Credit Card Management, and Sheshunoff Information Services. Thomson Media’s publications, databases and work solutions are used by more than 750,000 clients worldwide.

The Thomson Corporation

The Thomson Corporation (http://www.thomson.com), with 2001 revenues of $7.2 billion, is a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. Thomson provides value-added information, software applications and tools to more than 20 million users in the fields of law, tax, accounting, financial services, higher education, reference information, corporate training and assessment, scientific research and healthcare. The Corporation’s common shares are listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC)