Schlumberger to Develop Open Technology Smart Card Platform Open architecture based on Java Card API for secure multiple-application smart cards

Business Wire, May 20, 1997

CARDTECH SECURTECH, Orlando--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 1997--

Supports Visa Partner Program

Schlumberger Electronic Transactions is developing the Open Technology Platform, an architecture designed for secure multiple application smart cards based on the Java Card API.

In support of the Visa Partner Program and as a major chip technology provider, Schlumberger will make the platform available to Visa Member financial institutions and others as a basis for multiple application smart cards, a move that will promote standardization and interoperability.

Smart cards bring a world of new marketing and revenue opportunities for businesses. Financial institutions, in particular, will benefit from the migration from mag-stripe technology to smart cards because of new products and enhanced transaction security. Multiple application smart cards, especially, can form the basis of new, highly differentiated products in very competitive markets.

Multiple application cards allow the grouping of two or more functions onto one card, so the consumer will have one card that does several things. A combination credit card, ATM card and stored value "electronic purse" along with a loyalty program or non-financial application will all be possible with the new technology.

"An open industry technology platform, as promoted by Schlumberger, allows our Member banks to customize multiple functions on one card," says Gaylon Howe, senior vice president of chip products for Visa International. "We are enthusiastic that the Visa Partner Program is recognized by technology leaders, such as Schlumberger, as the first and most comprehensive chip migration strategy for financial institutions. Through the use of innovative chip technology, our Members can provide their customers with products that are convenient, flexible and unique to each individual."

"Schlumberger is proud to be working with Visa International on this important development using Java Card API, the latest, most secure smart card technology," stated James D. Davis, vice president and general manager of Schlumberger Smart Cards and Systems, North America. "This is the latest indication that customers continue to benefit from our wide-ranging expertise in cards and applications to introduce projects with faster time-to-market with lower risk."

The technology basis for the platform, Java Card API, was announced last fall by Sun Microsystems, Inc. This was followed by Schlumberger's announcement of its Cyberflex(tm) smart card development, the first Java-based smart card. These events marked a major turning point in the evolution of smart cards. Until Java Card, smart card applications have been developed in low- level machine code specific to each smart card company and chip architecture and loaded into the card at the time of manufacture. As a result, applications have not been portable, development times are fairly long, and applications can't be added or changed once the cards are issued.

Java Card and Cyberflex have changed all of that. Java applications are portable between compliant smart cards from different companies. There are many qualified Java programmers to write programs and load them onto cards, and these applications can be loaded after the cards are issued.

The project will be undertaken by Schlumberger's technology centers in San Jose, CA, and Austin, TX. Completion is planned for early 1998.

The Schlumberger Electronic Transactions division of Schlumberger, Ltd. (NYSE:SLB), supplies cards, terminals, and management systems across the entire range of magnetic and chip card applications around the world. The company offers its customers The Smart Village(r), a flexible portfolio of smart card-based solutions for businesses and communities of all sizes, including the telecom, banking, retail, network security, mass transit & parking, and health care sectors.

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(tm), the first smart card to support strong public-key cryptography. For more information, contact the Schlumberger web site at: http://www.slb.com/et/ -0-

Cyberflex, Cryptoflex, and Smart Village are trademarks of Schlumberger.

Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.

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

North America: Press: Environics Communications, Stamford, Conn. Deb Montner or Stephen Acken (1) 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) 757-366-4307, e-mail: lebsack1@slb.com

Europe: Schlumberger Electronic Transactions, Montrouge Isabelle Ferdane-Couderc (33) 1-4746-7020, e-mail: ferdane@montrouge.ts.slb.com

Asia: Schlumberger Technologies, Singapore Sally Chew, (65) 746-6344, e-mail: schew@singapore.asia.slb.com Schlumberger to Develop Open Technology Smart Card Platform