Gemplus Announces GemAccess 608, Contactless Smart Card Reader Designed For Access Control Applications

Business Wire, Oct 15, 1997

MONTGOMERYVILLE, Penn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 15, 1997--

Opens Access Control Market To Multi-Application

Advantages Of Smart Contactless Cards.

Gemplus today announced the availability of GemAccess, a contactless smart card reader developed for physical access control applications.

The GemAccess reader makes its possible for Gemplus' contactless smart cards to be used in the access control market as part of an integrated solution that offers many technology and application options. Gemplus' contactless card can carry barcode, magnetic stripe, biometrics and chip technologies, which makes it possible for a single smart card to handle several applications in addition to physical access, including transportation, electronic purse and loyalty.

"In addition to controlling access to buildings and facilities, corporations are now seeing the benefit of multi-application systems," said Brigitte Baumann, president of Gemplus for North America and Canada. "Contactless smart cards offer these companies a versatile physical access solution that carries other applications that are useful to employees, and that is scalable so it can eventually extend protection to information assets stored in computers."

The GemAccess reader can currently be used with Gemplus' GCL8K contactless card, and GemTwin 8K or 64K smart cards, which combine contact and contactless technologies. The reader can also be used with electronic tags, key rings, and bracelets that have a contactless chip embedded in them.

Advantages Of Contactless Card System

The simplest smart cards, protected memory cards, are primarily information storage cards that must be inserted into a smart card reader in order to be read. They are inexpensive and can store from a few bytes to 1 Kbyte of information.

Contactless cards are the functional equivalent of protected memory cards but use radio frequency technology to interact with the card reader instead of being inserted into the device. The card transmits transaction data and records the data that it receives when passed within 8-10 centimeters of the reader. With contactless cards, transaction times are reduced 20 to 30 times compared to cards requiring insertion.

Pricing and Availability

The GemAccess 608 smart card reader will be available in October 1997. Pricing will depend on volume and system configuration. It will be made available through a network of access control partners.

About Gemplus

Gemplus Corporation is the North American subsidiary of Gemplus Group, the world's leading producer of plastic and smart cards. It manufactures and sells memory cards, microprocessor cards (both contact and contactless), magnetic stripe cards, as well as electronic tags. It also designs and markets software, terminals and systems; and provides personalization, consultancy and training services to offer its customers comprehensive solutions.

In 1996, Gemplus Group's total sales were $440 million. By the end of 1997, the company will have a production capacity of 900 million plastic and smart cards.

Gemplus sells its products worldwide for such applications as public and cellular telephony, financial transactions, loyalty, transportation, education, healthcare, gaming, identity, access control, pay TV, security for computer networks and electronic commerce. Information about Gemplus' products and services can be found on the World Wide Web at: http://www.gemplus.com. -0- All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Dr. Patricia Neptune or Elisabeth Hershman

Neptune Group International Inc.

(203) 221-2820