Schlumberger Smart Card Readers Certified by Microsoft; Reflex 20 and 72 Readers Simplify Enterprise-Wide Desktop Deployment of Information Security for Windows Users

Business Wire, June 28, 1999

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 28, 1999--

Schlumberger Smart Cards & Terminals today announced that it has gained Microsoft approval for its Reflex(TM) 20 and Reflex 72 smart card readers.

The readers are now certified as fully compliant with the standards established by the PC/SC Workgroup, PC98 specifications, and Windows(TM) 95, 98, NT4 and 2000 platforms. Organizations planning new, networked services requiring high levels of security are among the first to benefit, as the ability to "plug 'n play" will speed deployment across desktop and notebook PCs. Electronic commerce will also benefit from the availability of these high quality, reliable, Windows-compatible readers.

"The 'Designed for Windows' logo is the first thing customers look for when selecting system components," said Lucas Witkam, product line manager for Prepaid Cards & Tools, Schlumberger Smart Cards & Terminals. "Microsoft certification for our readers means that customers can confidently deploy a key element of their IT security infrastructure, quickly and simply, across desktop and mobile PCs. Not only can they can treat readers like commodity items, they can also be confident that they conform to the latest PC standards."

Smart cards are essential for providing the high levels of security organizations require for sensitive networked applications such as financial transactions or confidential e-mails, and for electronic commerce, including home banking and shopping programs. They offer an easy to use and completely secure means of confirming the end user's identity. To gain the authorized level of access to the network, the user simply inserts his or her personal smart card into a reader linked to the PC and keys in a PIN. Subsequently, the card can be used, via the reader, to encode and 'digitally sign' confidential information before it is sent over the network.

Schlumberger provides compact and reliable smart card readers for both desktop and notebook/laptop PCs. Reflex 20 is a PCMCIA reader, ideal for use with notebook computers, and the serial Reflex 72, with one of the smallest form factors on the market, is designed for desktop systems.

The Microsoft approval program is designed to ensure hardware functionality across the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems, through a formal validation process. The Reflex 20 and Reflex 72 readers and their associated drivers were put through a number of stringent tests with different Windows environments, to test their compatibility.

About Schlumberger

Schlumberger Smart Cards & Terminals is the leading provider of smart card-based solutions worldwide, shaping the new world of smart solutions by providing leading-edge technology to enable innovative smart card and terminal applications that enhance the security and convenience of businesses and communities of all kinds. Schlumberger smart card solutions encompass a wide range of cards, terminals, development tools and support in open configurations for operators, developers, integrators and distributors worldwide. As part of the Smart Village(R) vision, the Schlumberger offer includes the milestone Cyberflex(TM) card, the industry's first Java-based smart card. The Smart Cards & Terminals group operates 45 facilities in 34 countries across the globe. Additional information is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.slb.com/smartcards

Schlumberger Test & Transactions comprises Schlumberger Smart Cards & Terminals and Schlumberger Automated Test Equipment, leveraging the combined strengths of these two business units to provide leading-edge, cost-effective solutions to customers.

Schlumberger Test & Transactions is a business unit of Schlumberger Limited, a $11.8 billion global technology service company providing oilfield services, resources management, transactions-based technology and associated systems, and semiconductor test equipment.

Note to Editors: Reflex and Cyberflex are trademarks and Smart Village is a registered trademark of Schlumberger. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft. Java and Java Card are trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc.