Fischer International Systems and Schlumberger announce new smart card reader partnership

Business Wire, May 20, 1997

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 1997--

Innovative Smarty Smart Card Reader Offered With SafePak

Schlumberger Electronic Transactions and Fischer International Systems Corporation today announced that Fischer International's Smarty smart card reader will be offered as an option in Schlumberger's SafePaK network security package.

SafePak provides public key cryptography capabilities to network operators and users, combining Cryptoflex smart card and a choice of smart card readers for personal computers. Fischer International's Smarty smart card reader looks like a 3.5-inch diskette, has a slot in the back that accepts a smart card, and fits into any personal computer's 3.5-inch floppy disk drive to access smart card information. It requires no cables or connectors.

"The concept behind Smarty is just great," said Joe Schuler, director of sales and marketing for Schlumberger Smart Cards division in North America. "It uses an existing I/O capability to connect the smart card to the PC, eliminating the need to use often scarce serial ports. And because it fits in a standard floppy drive, it makes most of the 200 million-plus PCs now in use worldwide immediately capable of reading smart cards."

"We are pleased to work in concert with Schlumberger to support a public key infrastructure for transactions within an organization and between companies and their customers and business partners," said Art Burton, vice president of sales and marketing at Fischer International. "We see SafePaK with Smarty as a strategic solution for organizations committed to network-based commerce. Schlumberger's innovative technology is a natural fit with our own areas of expertise, and we look forward to a continuing partnership."

The SafePak product with the Smarty reader brings a convenient cost-effective front-end for a public key (PK) infrastructure for computer network security. The product is targeted at companies and organizations implementing Internet-based transaction systems and intranets/extranets, as well as at systems integrators and VARs.

SafePak enables highly secure authentication and authorization of users, data privacy and integrity, and non-repudiation. It is based on the Schlumberger Cryptoflex smart card that features 1024-bit RSA key technology and 4kbyte EEPROM. It is the industry's most secure commercial smart card, offering fast hardware-based public key cryptography. Cryptoflex supports encryption/decryption, private key storage, digital certificate storage, and digital signatures.

The SafePaK product, when combined with the other elements of a network security infrastructure, brings security to all types of Internet transactions and communications. SafePak configurations include versions for the new Netscape Communicator and Microsoft Internet Explorer browsers.

About Schlumberger Electronic Transactions

The Schlumberger Electronic Transactions group of Schlumberger, Ltd. (NYSE:SLB) is a leading supplier of cards, terminals, development tools and management systems across the entire range of magnetic and smart card applications. Schlumberger is a pioneer and is the leader in smart card technology, recently introducing Cyberflex , the first-ever smart card to use the Java Card API from JavaSoft, and Cryptoflex, the first smart card to support strong public-key cryptography. Please contact the Schlumberger web site at: http://www.slb.com/et/

About Fischer International Systems

Fischer International Systems Corporation (FISC) was founded in 1982 by Addison M. Fischer to develop electronic mail and PC data security software. FISC designs, develops, markets, licenses and supports a family of enterprise-wide office automation (electronic mail and scheduling) software, computer security software and the SmartDisk family of products. These products focus on electronic commerce and security for the Internet, intranets/extranets, LANs, desktop PCs, laptops, and large mainframe environments. FISC has a diverse international customer-base and is headquartered in Naples, Florida with offices in North America and Europe. Please contact the FISC website at http://www.fisc.com

For more information, or to schedule interviews, please contact:

Fischer International Systems Corporation

Business: Fischer International Systems Corp. Kathy Chamberlain, (941) 436-2678 Kathy.Chamberlain@fisc.com Press: Miller/Shandwick Technologies Barbara Rudolph/Lee Kemmler, (617) 536-0470 brudolph@miller.shandwick.com lkemmler@miller.shandwick.com

Schlumberger

Europe: Schlumberger Electronic Transactions, Montrouge Isabelle Ferdane-Couderc (33)14746-7020 e-mail: ferdane@montrouge.ts.slb.com

North America: Press: Environics Communications, Stamford, Conn. Deb Montner or Stephen Acken, 203/325-8772 ext.14 or 12 e-mail: dmontner@environics-usa.com or sacken@environics-usa.com

Business: Schlumberger Smart Cards & Systems, N. A. Tom Lebsack (1) 757-368A307 e-mail: lebsack1 @slb.com

Asia: Schlumberger Technologies, Singapore Sally Chew, (65) 748-6344 e-mail: schew@singapore.asia.slb.com