Published on October 7, 2008
|
Contacts:
|
||
|
Annika
Oelsner
|
Darby
Dye
|
|
|
+49
89 9595-5220
|
+1
510-249-4883
|
|
|
aoelsner@scmmicro.de
|
ddye@scmmicro.com
|
SCM
Microsystems Introduces Mobile, Contactless, Multi-Application
Solution for Secure Access and Payment Transactions
Solution for Secure Access and Payment Transactions
Takes
Equity
Stake in TranZfinity Intended to Promote Contactless
Authentication
Devices
Devices
ISMANING,
Germany, October 7, 2008 – SCM
Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCMM, Prime Standard: SMY), a leading provider
of
solutions that open the Digital World, today introduced
@MAXX™
prime,
the
first product of a new family of portable
USB devices that enable secure electronic transactions, secure data storage
and
secure access. The entire range of new SCM @MAXX
devices
are
expected to include
secure
smart card functionality alongside flash storage to provide strong, mobile
authentication for a range of electronic applications,
including financial services, transportation, e-payment, PC and physical access,
digital signature and public key infrastructure (PKI).
Immediately
available is SCM’s
@MAXX
prime,
a
device that offers a unique combination of fixed and expandable memory space
along with a
reader
for small SIM-sized
dual interface smart cards (ID-000), with
a
built
in
antenna and supporting
both contact and contactless technology. @MAXX
prime
also
includes on-board flash memory, a microSD card reader and expansion capabilities
via a female USB connector. Based on the @MAXX
family
concept, @MAXX
NFC
is
planned to
be
introduced later
this
year.
@MAXX
NFC
will
enable
NFC-based applications on mobile phones and other devices lacking NFC
capabilities. SCM
plans
to introduce
further
@MAXX
models
next year.
“Multiple
secure
applications can be implemented with @MAXX
prime – something
that is achieved due to the unique product architecture,” said Felix Marx, chief
executive officer of SCM
Microsystems.
“Our
@MAXX
devices
enable secure access and secure transactions for a variety of markets, including
mobile payments, on-line security, on-line banking and transportation. Hence,
they readily address the growing global demand for a mobile, contactless
solution that will allow people to securely conduct all their daily business
using one device – from managing their data, to riding the train to work,
to entering the workplace, to checking their bank balances, to paying for
dinner.”
When
connected to any free USB port and used with smart card technology, SCM’s
@MAXX
prime
can
provide strong authentication for access to PCs and networks, as well as digital
signature and encryption tools. It can also provide secure PIN protection for
accessing on-board
portable flash data storage. When unconnected, @MAXX
prime
provides
contactless smart card functionality, which can facilitate contactless payment
or contactless physical access to buildings. As a result of these features,
@MAXX
prime
is well
suited for use in business as well as in the private environment. For
example, in an enterprise environment @MAXX
prime
could be
used to authenticate an employee’s identity and grant entry to the corporate
campus; to securely log on to both the employee’s PC and the corporate network;
to securely store documents or presentation materials; and to make contactless
payments at the company cafeteria. In addition, the same @MAXX
prime
device
can be used to securely access the employee’s bank accounts and to
enable
other contactless applications such as e-payment or loyalty programs.
To
further expand the capabilities of and bundle services to @MAXX
prime and
other
planned products in the @MAXX
family,
SCM has invested $2.5 million to acquire an equity stake in TranZfinity, Inc.,
a
privately held company based in Carlsbad, California
that
develops trusted devices and associated services for secure access and
electronic transactions.
“Our
cooperation with TranZfinity has been very successful to date,” said
Marx.“TranZfinity’s
services and applications roadmap complements SCM’s contactless strategy and
should enable us to quickly introduce new multi-application solutions for a
variety of market verticals, such as m-commerce, logical and physical access,
banking and loyalty. Additionally, TranZfinity’s global services platform of
application software and services will provide our @MAXX
customers with a secure ‘marketplace’ in which service providers and end users
can transact business. Our
investment in TranZfinity supports our mutual work together while enabling
SCM
to participate in TranZfinity’s success.”
@MAXX
prime is available immediately worldwide. More information can be found on
the SCM website at http://www.scmmicro.com.
About
SCM Microsystems
SCM
Microsystems is a leading provider of solutions that open the Digital World
by
enabling people to conveniently access digital content and services. The company
develops, markets and sells the industry’s broadest range of contact and
contactless smart card reader technology for secure PC, payment systems, network
and physical access, and digital media readers for transfer of digital content
to OEM customers in the government, financial, enterprise, consumer electronics
and photographic equipment markets worldwide. Global headquarters are in
Ismaning, Germany. For additional information, visit the SCM Microsystems web
site at www.scmmicro.com.
NOTE:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These include our
statements contained above regarding
our
ability to quickly introduce new NFC products; our expectations regarding
benefits for our customers from TranZfinity’s application services platform; and
TranZfinity’s ability to continue to deliver its products and services based in
part on SCM’s investment in the company. These statements are subject to risks
and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from
those
contemplated herein. There is no assurance that we or TranZfinity will be
successful in developing or introducing additional NFC or other contactless
readers or terminals to the market. Any products that we do develop may not
be
competitive with other products in the market. Even with new contactless product
offerings, the market for contactless technologies may not grow as anticipated,
and we may not be able to expand the market for our products. For a discussion
of further risks and uncertainties related to our business, please refer to
our
public company reports, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2007 and subsequent reports, filed with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission.
Note:
@MAXX is a trademark of SCM Microsystems. All other trademarks are the property
of their respective owners.