Fargo Electronics, Inc. Introduces The $1,295 Persona CardJet C7 At ASIS

Business Wire, Sept 10, 2002

Business Editors & Technology Writers

ASIS International Annual Seminar

Booth 1435

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 10, 2002

Fargo Electronics, Inc. (Nasdaq:FRGO), the world's leader in innovative technologies for desktop plastic card personalization systems, today introduced the Persona(R) CardJet(TM) C7 Card Printer at the 48th Annual American Society of Industrial Security Seminar and Exhibition here September 10-12 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (Booth 1435). Based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Fargo Card Printer/Encoders create personalized plastic identification cards complete with digital images and text, lamination, and electronically encoded information.

"With the introduction of this innovative technology, Fargo is changing the face of card printing," said Gary R. Holland, President and CEO of Fargo. "Inkjet printers are rugged, durable and widely used. Our introduction of thermal inkjet printing for ID cards opens the door to many companies and organizations, which previously could not afford a dedicated ID card printer/encoder.

"With a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $1,295.00, the Persona CardJet C7 is highly competitive with old-fashioned `cut-and-paste' analog photo-based ID badge systems, particularly when time, labor and card costs are accounted for," Holland said. "The Persona CardJet C7 is hundreds of dollars less than printers currently available. Benefits such as convenience, ease of use, virtually no maintenance, economical supplies and the professional appearance of the ID badges will make the Persona CardJet C7 a clear winner with end users."

"The Persona CardJet C7 Card Printer uses the familiar `open cover, snap out, snap in' process to replace the SmartLoad(TM) Ink Cartridges," said Kathleen Phillips, Fargo's Vice President - Marketing. "Loading the special CardJet Cards is just as easy: the SmartLoad(TM) Card Cartridge is loaded from the top of the printer, then clicks into place. Both SmartLoad Ink and Card Cartridges are designed for error-free, one-way-only loading.

"A special radio frequency identification (RFID) tag on each SmartLoad Ink Cartridge and a "smart chip" on the base of the SmartLoad Card Cartridge communicate with the Persona CardJet C7 printer, as well as the customer's personal computer. The tags and chip automatically track card printing, and warn the operator when either card or ink supplies are low," Phillips notes. "If the ink or card cartridges are removed, the tags and chip each `remember' the precise count and resume at that number when replaced in the printer."

Initially, the CardJet C7 will be offered with a 50-count SmartLoad Card Cartridge, a 750-count SmartLoad black ink cartridge, and a 250-count SmartLoad color ink cartridge. No alignment or calibration of the ink cartridges is necessary when the cartridges are replaced.

"Our target market - companies, schools, government and other organizations that typically print smaller volumes of cards per year - want card printers that are easy to learn, simple to operate, and require virtually no maintenance," said Phillips. "The Persona CardJet C7 operator can change ink and card cartridges in a matter of seconds, then resume printing, easily and error-free."

As the world's leading innovator in card personalization systems, Fargo worked closely with Hewlett-Packard Company's (NYSE:HWP) Specialty Printing Systems (SPS) Operation, which is selling HP's thermal inkjet technology to Fargo on an OEM basis, and PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG), which developed the Teslin sheet-based cards used by the CardJet Printing(TM) technology.

Fargo Persona CardJet C7 Card Printer Features

-- Fargo CardJet Printing technology and an HP inkjet print engine ensure virtually maintenance-free reliability.

-- Top-loading SmartLoad Card Cartridge eliminates hassles with 50 pre-loaded cards.

-- CardJet Printing technology delivers full-color, durable cards in as fast as 22 seconds.

-- 600 dpi for full-color images, razor-sharp text, and easy-to-scan bar codes.

-- Specially formulated CardJet ink bonds instantly and does not smear.

-- Snap in SmartLoad Ink Cartridges.

-- Over-the-edge printing creates a high-quality, professional appearance.

-- Abrasion-resistant, non-glare CardJet Cards are ideally suited for applications that require repetitive swiping such as access control, meal plans, or time cards.

-- Intuitive LED lights and on-screen status message signals when to change cards or ink.

-- Transparent hopper access door permits viewable printing and easy changing of CardJet consumables.

-- Hopper access door conveniently flips up when printer is not in use.

-- One year printer warranty

About Fargo

Fargo Electronics, Inc. (Nasdaq:FRGO) is the world's leader in innovative technologies for desktop plastic card personalization systems. Based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Fargo creates printing systems that personalize plastic identification cards, complete with digital images and text, lamination and electronically encoded information. Personalized identification cards provide physical, information and transaction security for a wide variety of applications including retail stores, e-commerce, government installations, schools, sports and recreation facilities, clubs and associations and correctional facilities. More than 60,000 Fargo systems are currently installed throughout the U.S. and in over 100 other countries. For more information, visit Fargo's Web site at http://www.fargo.com.