3M Wins Contract from Austrian Ministry of the Interior to Supply ePassport Authentication System

Business Wire, Nov 16, 2006

Systems Allow Citizens to Review Stored Electronic Passport Data

OTTAWA & ST. PAUL, Minn. -- 3M ePassport Verification Systems have been chosen and installed at passport issuance locations throughout Austria. The 3M ePassport verification system gives Austrian passport holders a means to personally check the electronic data stored on the new high-security passports the country began issuing in June.

The 3M ePassport verification system consists of 3M ePassport Readers and customized software. When an Austrian citizen's passport is placed on the reader, the device automatically begins the reading process and within seconds confirms the document's validity. The electronic contents of the passport are displayed on a monitor allowing the document holder to view the data on screen or request a printout.

"3M won this tender issued by the Austrian Ministry of the Interior, edging out a number of other system integrators," states Rich Sanders, business manager, 3M Security Systems Division. "While 3M's product was priced competitively, it was the comprehensive nature of 3M's overall ePassport solution, including our strong project management, which secured the deal. A technical showdown involving a live product demonstration proved to the customer that 3M offered not only a fully-compliant solution, but also the most timely and most risk-free option. The need for similar ePassport self-check capabilities exists throughout the European Union and 3M is well-positioned to address these needs."

3M brings more than 30 years of experience, a global presence, technical innovation and a strong customer focus to the secure document marketplace. Our solutions cover a broad spectrum of enhanced travel and border security, including document issuance and border management.

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