INSIDE Expands Provision of Unique PicoRead Low-Cost, Low-Power Contactless Smart Card Reader Technology for HID’s iCLASS Cards

IRVINE, Calif.–INSIDE Contactless and HID Corporation today announced that INSIDE has selected HID as the company’s exclusive partner in the access control market. The development builds on the two company’s successful four-year history working together, during which INSIDE has delivered nearly 10 million chips based on its innovative PicoPass contactless chip technology for use within HID’s iCLASS 13.56 MHz contactless smart cards. HID customers are already benefiting from the technology advantages brought about by the joint effort of these two industry leaders.

In line with the new agreement, HID intends to develop smart card reader products and component level solutions based on INSIDE’s PicoRead technology platform, as well as provide the PicoRead module to original equipment manufacturers, systems integrators, and application providers as part of their iCLASS development partner program. This long-term, exclusive agreement provides HID with world class core contactless chip and reader technology, while providing INSIDE with the advantages of HID’s market position and distribution channels in the access control market. HID is now positioned as INSIDE’s exclusive distribution partner for the access control market.

“Our partnership with INSIDE has contributed to HID’s iCLASS contactless smart card technology becoming the platform of choice for application developers who provide HID customers around the world with solutions that increase the value of their access control investments,” commented Denis Hébert, president, HID, “Under HID’s expanded partnership with INSIDE, our mutual objective now includes the development of the overall market for high frequency access control.”

“This extension of our strategic relationship is a natural evolution in our collaboration with HID,” said Jacek Kowalski , CEO, INSIDE Contactless. “We anticipate that HID-based access control systems with PicoRead will play a pivotal role in the convergence of contactless systems in the future.”

The two companies expect to expand the agreement to also encompass INSIDE’s next generation MicroRead technology by the end of this year.

INSIDE’s PicoRead technology is designed to address the fast growing demand for a high performance, low-cost RF 13.56MHz contactless interface for large scale applications where low-power and small footprint are required. Applications benefiting from this innovative product include access control for corporate campuses, government installations and hotels; as well as logical access via integration in laptops, keyboards, handheld terminals, and consumer electronic devices deploying Near Field Communications (NFC) such as PDAs and mobile phones.

HID’s iCLASS smart cards and readers make access control more powerful, more versatile, and most important of all, offers enhanced security through encryption and mutual authentication. At the same time, iCLASS is user-friendly, delivering the convenience, affordability and reliability of proximity technology for which HID is known worldwide.

About INSIDE Contactless INSIDE Contactless is one of the world’s largest providers of semiconductor chips (memory and microprocessor) and hardware platforms (couplers and readers) related to 13.56 Mhz contactless technology. Delivering the most cost-effective, reliable and secure technology for both contactless cards and readers, INSIDE provides high performance, open standard solutions for Payment, ID and Access Control. Strategically headquartered in France with a global presence in China, Singapore and the US, INSIDE’s worldwide customer portfolio includes providing MicroPass chips for Visa’s contactless payment initiative and serving as the exclusive provider of smart card reader technology for HID?s iCLASS access control solution. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.insidecontactless.com.

About HID Corporation HID is the premier global supplier of contactless access control cards and readers for the security industry. With over 250 million credentials (cards, fobs and keys) in use worldwide, HID leads the industry in 13.56 MHz and 125 kHz RFID card and reader technology for a wide range of applications including access control, IT secure authentication, time and attendance, digital cash/cashless vending, automotive vehicle identification, and biometric verification. HID’s award-winning product line includes iCLASSr 13.56 MHz contactless smart cards and readers, 125 kHz proximity, magnetic stripe, and Wiegand technology cards and readers as well as the recently introduced VertX? CS central station managed access controllers . The company also provides specialized card manufacturing services including custom pre-printed graphics, micro printing and anti-counterfeiting elements, holograms or ultraviolet ink for increased card security. HID’s corporate offices are located in Irvine, California, with international offices supporting more than 100 countries. The company is part of the ASSA ABLOY Identification Technology Group. To learn more, please visit www.hidcorp.com.

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