HID Global to Supply Fargo HDP5000-LC Printer/Encoders to Department of Defense

Business Wire, Oct 2, 2008

Printers will support new Common Access Cards

IRVINE, Calif. -- HID Global, the trusted leader in providing solutions for the delivery of secure identity, today announced that it has been selected to supply its Fargo([R]) HDP5000-LC printer/encoders to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC). As part of the DMDC's migration to the next generation of ID card printers, the HDP5000-LC units will be utilized throughout the DMDC to support its Identity Protection and Management projects. The primary use of the Fargo HDP5000-LC printer will be to support the DoD's Common Access Card (CAC) program, which annually produces over 3 million technology cards. The FIPS 201-compliant printer will be offered as a solution via a contract recently awarded to Telos Corporation of Ashburn, VA. This contract spans a 5-year period (a one-year contract with four, single-year extension options).

The initial order of HDP5000-LC printers for shipment in the third quarter of this year from Telos Corporation is the largest single order in the history of HID's Fargo printer line. The HDP5000-LC printers will be deployed worldwide beginning in the fourth quarter to support fixed ID card systems installed at over 1,000 sites. A follow-on order is expected later this year to complete the update of the remaining DMDC mobile and shipboard CAC systems that are deployed.

"This contract reinforces our leadership position in the secure issuance market and fully demonstrates our ability to continually meet and exceed customer expectations for ID credentials," said Denis Hebert, president and CEO of HID Global. "We are pleased to further extend our business relationship with the DoD and Telos and look forward to providing ID card security solutions to them for years to come."

HID's Fargo HDP5000-LC printer was selected after numerous printers from various manufacturers were lab-tested and subjected to extensive field evaluation. The results of the testing were combined with reviews of vendor responsiveness, environmental durability, shipping and field durability, maintenance and cost data. HID's Fargo printers have been a part of the DMDC system solution for over 10 years.

The HDP5000-LC was developed with the unique demands of the DoD in mind, this includes advanced security features and light-weight, modular components. Based on patented High Definition Printing technology, the HDP5000-LC prints images onto the under side of a special film that fuses to the surface of a card through heat and pressure. Since this process transfers dyes and resins directly onto a smooth, flexible film, the printhead never comes in contact with the card surface itself. As such, print quality is not affected by card surface imperfections that are not even with the card surface, such as smart chips, ridges caused by the internal antennae or debris. Similarly, smart chips or antennas are unaffected by heat from the printhead.

About HID Global

HID Global is the trusted, worldwide leader in providing solutions for the delivery of Secure Identity. The company is focused on creating customer value with product, service and know-how solutions for access and identification-related applications. Headquartered in Irvine, California, HID Global has over 2,000 employees worldwide supporting customers in more than 100 countries. HID Global is an ASSA ABLOY Group brand. To learn more, please visit www.hidglobal.com.