Viisage Technology Teams With Kuwaiti Company, Silver Networks, to Market and Install Face-Recognition Technology in Middle East

Business Wire, May 11, 2001

Business/Technology Editors

LITTLETON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2001

Technology Will Be Deployed to Improve Surveillance

Systems and Control Access to Secure Facilities

Viisage Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: VISG), the leader in face-recognition technology and identification systems and solutions that improve security and conveniently protect personal privacy, announced today that it has teamed with Silver Network Electronics Co. W.L.L. of Kuwait to market, sell, install and support Viisage's face-recognition systems in Kuwait and other Middle Eastern countries.

Silver Networks is a subsidiary of W. J. Towel & Co. LLC, a company established in 1866 and headquartered in Oman. Silver Networks was created with an objective of specialized services in the field of security systems that include: Closed Circuit TV System, Access Control System, Perimeter Protections System, Fire/Intruder Alarm System, Hardened Structures, Vaults, etc. Silver Networks provides design, integration, installation, testing, commissioning and training of security based systems to customers in the Kuwait government and Ministry of Defense.

W. J. Towel employs over 6,000 people and has diverse businesses that encompass trading and contracting for design, construction, commission and maintenance of sophisticated civil, mechanical and communications projects on turnkey basis, petroleum products, computer and communication equipment, automobiles, consumer items, foodstuff and furnishings. The group has carried out over 30 major projects of prime importance to Kuwait Defense System with another 10 currently underway. Major systems are delivered in association with Thomson - CFC and Babcock of France, Raytheon, Motorola, Martin Marietta, Harris Corporation, A T & T, Hughes Aircraft Systems International, Scientific Atlanta of USA and Neuero Technology GMBH of Germany.

Tom Colatosti, Viisage president and CEO, said, "Silver Networks has major contracts and customers in the Kuwait government where they have installed security systems for surveillance, access control and perimeter security. Their customers have been evaluating biometrics for the last seven to eight years and have selected facial recognition as one of the primary biometrics to be used to enhance the existing systems as well as new systems to be installed. Silver Networks has the credibility and experience for implementing and supporting turnkey systems. Teaming with Silver Networks provides Viisage the ability to penetrate Middle East markets with a partner that has experience and a record of successfully meeting customer needs." Silver Networks will initially market Viisage's FacePASS(TM), FaceFINDER(TM) and FaceEXPLORER(TM) products.

Millind Borkar, Manager, Special Projects for Silver Networks, stated, "We have very high interest in facial recognition systems since it is one of the most non-obtrusive methods of providing security to our clients. Our clients now believe that this technology is ready for deployment. After considerable due diligence, we have selected Viisage to team with us to meet the stringent and critical requirements of our customers. In Viisage, we found the technology, the background of working with government and department of defense, the credibility, experience and maturity that is required to satisfy our needs. We believe Viisage will provide us with solid, robust products that will enable us to deliver reliable and high-performance security solutions to our customers."

Viisage Technology is the world leader in biometric face-recognition technology and identification systems and solutions that enhances consumer convenience, improves security and protects personal privacy. Originally, developed at MIT, Viisage's patented, accurate, non-intrusive and cost-effective face-recognition technology is widely acknowledged for its unmatched performance including, speed in real-time applications, scalability for managing large image databases and systems integration for complete customer solutions.

Viisage's provides a full family of face recognition products. FaceEXPLORER(TM) is a powerful and scalable image retrieval and analysis database product, used to combat identity fraud - it is implemented in the world's largest face recognition system with more than 7 million enrolled images. FaceFINDER(TM), acclaimed for its processing speed, is the industry's most widely implemented surveillance and identification system - it is installed in more than 80 casinos worldwide and has been deployed to improve security at premier sporting events. FaceNET(TM) provides secure authentication for PC, Internet and e-commerce connections. FacePIN(TM) offers consumers convenient and private verification for point-of-sale transactions such as ATMs. FacePASS(TM) is a practical security solution for keyless entry to secure facilities, such as offices, dormitories and government facilities. FaceTools(TM) is a leadership Software Developers Kit that enables application providers the ability to develop and customize unique customer and market applications.