Gemplus Introduces Next-Generation Smart Card Platform Based Java Card Technology; Brings Multi-Application Smart Cards to the Mainstream

Business Wire, June 15, 1999

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 14, 1999--

Includes Support for Public Key Encryption

and Certified by Visa International

Gemplus(R) Corporation, the world's leading provider of smart card solutions, today announced its GemXpresso 210 range.

GemXpresso 210 is the industry's first range of smart cards to be based on Java Card 2.1 API providing card issuers with multi-application capabilities and built-in security, including public key encryption support. The GemXpresso 210 range provides a unique platform that allows a choice in solutions that best meets the requirements of a particular application. Fully compliant with industry standards, the range also enables seamless integration into existing infrastructures and innovative development tools making it possible for companies to quickly bring smart card-based solutions to market.

The company also announced today that GemXpresso210PK, a version that supports the RSA public key infrastructure for secure transactions and the Visa Open Platform architecture for secure applet downloading, has been certified by Visa International for the VisaCash applet, becoming the first Java Card in the world that has successfully passed this rigorous certification.

The GemXpresso 210 range incorporates the Java Card secure Virtual Machine (JVM), an on-board interpreter that makes it possible to download new applications to the smart card and upgrade smart card applications even after the card has been issued.

Gemplus will be demonstrating GemXpresso at the Java One Conference in its booth (No. 1225) at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, June 15 - 17, 1999

"Gemplus is leading the industry in developing open platform smart card solutions that can be used across a variety of business and consumer devices such as PCs, wireless communications devices, point-of-sale terminals and set-top boxes," said Gilles Perrotey, director, worldwide Java Card marketing at Gemplus. "GemXpresso 210 offers all the benefits of an open operating system such as easy implementation, flexibility, upgradability and quick time to market."

"As one of the co-founders of the Java Card Forum, Gemplus has always been a strong supporter of Sun's Java Card strategy," said Patrice Peyret, director, consumer and embedded products at Sun Microsystems. "The availability of a range of GemXpresso 210 products to the market makes possible the deployment of an exciting range of powerful solutions based on the Java Card platform."

About the GemXpresso 210 Range

GemXpresso 210 range features a programming interface based on the Sun Microsystems, Inc., Java Card 2.1 API, an open, object-oriented standard for creating Java applets that run on smart cards. By utilizing the Java platform, GemXpresso 210 makes it possible for developers create smart card applications with a new level of interoperability enabling competitive product differentiation and lower cost development.

Availability

The entire range is available now. The GemXpresso 210 is available with 16Kb; the GemXpresso 210L is available with 32Kb memory and the GemXpresso 210PK with 16 Kb memory which supports the RSA public key infrastructure for secure transactions. Prices will vary based on quantities ordered. For more information contact your Gemplus sales office or visit www.gemplus.com.

About Gemplus

Gemplus (www.gemplus.com) is the world's leading provider of plastic and smart card-based solutions (by units sold, source: Dataquest 1998). Gemplus sells magnetic stripe cards, memory and microprocessor-based smart cards, smart contactless cards, electronic tags and smart objects. The company designs and markets software, development tools and readers. Gemplus also provides consulting, training and personalization services to deliver the industry's most comprehensive and flexible card-based solutions to its developers, distributors, partners, and customers.

With sales of over $US648 million in 1998, Gemplus employs more than 4,300 people in 10 manufacturing facilities, 5 R&D centers and 41 sales and marketing offices located in 27 countries around the world. Founded in 1988, Gemplus has successfully implemented portable and secure smart card-based solutions to simplify applications such as public and wireless communications, financial transactions, loyalty, transportation, education, healthcare, identity, physical access control, pay TV, electronic commerce, Internet security, logical access control and information technology.

Gemplus is a registered trademark and GemXpresso is a trademark of Gemplus. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.