Datacard
Group:
Kevin
Gillick
+1 952.988.2846
kevin_gillick@datacard.com
DATACARD
LAUNCHES EIGHT NEW SMART CARD SOLUTIONS FOR VISA MEMBER BANKS
Visa-approved
packages simplify the issuance and card life cycle management of Visa-branded
smart card products
Minneapolis,
MN — January 4, 2002 — Datacard Group today introduced eight new packages
that provide Visa member banks with the software, hardware and services they
need to easily and cost effectively migrate from magnetic stripe cards to smart
cards.
The
Visa-approved packages, offered under the Visa Global Smart Partner Program,
feature specially negotiated prices for Visa member banks and are designed to
give Visa issuers around the world easy and cost-effective options for planning
and executing a successful smart card program, including the migration to EMV
chip cards.
The
eight Datacard solutions include everything issuers need to create, test,
personalize and load smart card applications (applets) on Visa smart cards. The
solutions also include software and systems needed to dynamically manage cards
and applications on cards after they are in customers’ hands. The breadth of
the offerings, along with the scalability of each solution, makes the packages a
perfect fit for smart card programs of any size.
General
capabilities of the eight Visa-approved packages include:
·
A
development kit to assist in the creation and testing of Visa smart card
applications (applets) to run on Java® and GlobalPlatform cards ·
Systems
to assist in the testing of the smart card loading and personalization process
·
Complete
turnkey solutions for the loading and personalization of Visa smart cards on
virtually any Datacard desktop or high-volume personalization system
·
Systems
and services for the creation and management of a full dynamic multi-application
smart card environment in which applications can be added, deleted or updated on
cards that have been issued and are in cardholders’ hands
Datacard
collaborated with Visa International to develop the eight solutions, which were
introduced to Visa member banks at the CARTES 2001 smart card conference in
Paris.
“The
turnkey nature of the solutions relieves the apprehension some member banks may
have regarding the transition to smart cards and EMV chip cards,” said Jim
Harper, marketing director for Datacard’s smart card solutions group.
“We’ve made it extremely easy for card issuers participating in the
Visa Global Smart Partner Program to build productive operations and capitalize
on emerging smart card opportunities.”
The
smart card solutions specially designed for Visa members include:
Using
the Datacard® Aptura™ card operating system and a new Datacard® Aptura™
Applet Development Kit (ADK), new smart card applications can be developed and
performance tested for industry standard Java® or GlobalPlatform cards.
Card personalization applications can be developed and tested with this package, including the testing of new personalization scripts and applications which conform to GlobalPlatform open standards for the loading and personalization of smart cards. Application loading and card personalization can then be tested using any Datacard® desktop card personalization system or via a smart card reader attached to a personal computer.
Visa
smart cards can be loaded and personalized using a Datacard® 150i
or Datacard® 280/295 desktop issuance system. These systems are ideal for smart
card pilots or low-volume issuance programs where embossing is needed.
Visa smart cards can be loaded and personalized using a Datacard® 9000, 7000 or 500 central issuance system. The flexible design of the Datacard systems allows card issuers to integrate multiple smart card modules in order to accommodate changes in card volume.
Up
to 6,000 Visa smart cards per hour can be loaded and personalized using a
high-speed, 32-station Cybernetix™ HPX system. If embossing is needed, cards
can be transferred from the HPX system to a Datacard® 9000, 7000 or 500 system
for completion of the personalization and delivery process.
Card
issuers can outsource data generation and data management to a secure,
Visa-approved Datacard® Secure Processing Center (SPC). Data is securely
transferred back to the customer location or an approved service bureau for
personalization on a Datacard® 9000, 7000 or 500 system.
Card Life Cycle Management System and Service (2 solutions)
The
Datacard® Affina™ platform management architecture provides the life cycle
management capabilities card issuers need to track and manage dynamic
multi-application smart cards, including Visa smart cards. Cards can be quickly
and securely updated over various networks, including the internet, with new
smart card applications after they are
in cardholders’ hands. Data managed by the Affina system can be used in a card
data warehouse configuration to help plan and execute new and innovative card
marketing programs.
Life
cycle management solutions available to Visa members include:
Datacard Group provides software, systems and professional services needed to build profitable card programs. The company’s solutions portfolio also includes a complete line of secure digital identity systems and card personalization systems. Datacard Group is privately held and based in Minnetonka, Minn. Datacard Group serves customers in more than 200 countries. (www.datacard.com).