IRVINE, CA – HID Global, a leading manufacturer in the access control industry, announced from the ISC West Convention in Las Vegas, the launch of HID Identity, a new organization offering a comprehensive set of solutions for the deployment of contact and contactless smart card-based identity credentials. HID Global will create HID Identity by combining AccessID, a leading custom security card solutions provider, and Synercard, a developer of critically acclaimed photo ID card and application control software.

The new organization will benefit end-users by providing solutions and expertise that will help streamline and simplify the acquisition and issuance of access control and multi-application credentials. HID Identity will help end-users achieve an important identity management goal – issuing a single secure credential that links the enterprise’s diverse set of applications. “End- users are frustrated by how difficult it is to issue a single credential that works across all their applications – physical access control, logical access, time and attendance, cashless vending, etc. With HID Identity, this problem is eliminated and the credential is provisioned for multiple uses right out of the printer,” remarks Dennis Caulley, the new organization’s leader.

By merging AccessID and Synercard, HID Global has combined specialists in the design and manufacture of secure access control and identity credentials with experts in the design and development of software used to personalize, provision and issue credentials. The result is a highly focused HID Identity team with unique skills and abilities to help dealers and integrators provide end-to-end secure identity credential products and services.

HID Identity will offer its suite of solutions through integrator, dealer, distribution and OEM channels. The organization will be based in HID’s card center of excellence, in North Haven, CT. Products and services will be available to international customers through HID Global’s regional sales and service organizations based in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong.

“HID Identity represents a combined portfolio of compelling capabilities that will enable us to offer customers unique solutions – solutions which will continue to expand as the identity management landscape evolves,” said Denis Hébert, president and CEO, HID Global. “This corporate move was a logical first step in a phased approach designed to provide HID’s customers with the most comprehensive set of solutions available and more effectively service our existing access control channels as well as emerging vertical markets such as higher education, government, transportation and financial services.”

A component of HID Identity will focus on providing OEM’s with trusted software platforms, as well as assisting channel partners with integration services to end customers. The organization will also leverage HID Global’s Fargo embedded/encoded printer solutions, along with its valued reputation as the “Trusted Advisor” and its worldwide network of more than 100 application solutions partners.

Asure ID Exchange version 5.7, featuring iDIRECTOR HID Identity is previewing its next generation photo ID and ID card application software, Asure ID Exchange version 5.7, featuring iDIRECTOR technology at Booth #15053, ISC West, Sands Expo and Convention Center, Las Vegas. The new software takes photo ID to the next level with its iDIRECTOR technology, a flexible and powerful platform that significantly eases the deployment of identity credentials.

The latest in the award winning Asure ID photo identification software line, version 5.7 launches the iDIRECTOR technology platform, allowing multiple applications to be loaded onto a smart card via a single, seamless process. The software features the following application modules from HID technology partners: RF IDeas Air ID for logical access control; QI Systems’ Qi Wave for electronic vending applications; and Bioscrypt Fingerprint for biometrics, all accessible on a drop down menu. Now multiple applications can be loaded onto a smart card in one easy step at the time of issuance.

“As a leader in smart card technology, HID Global’s goal is to make it easier for end-users to deploy multi-card applications in an enterprise environment,” said Mark Scaparro, executive vice president of Global Strategy, HID Global. “Asure ID version 5.7 helps users achieve this goal with its built-in iDIRECTOR technology and access to three smart card applications right out of the box. Our overall strategy is to enable our end-user customers’ card program by making iDIRECTOR available as a development platform that reduces cost and time to market for technology partners, OEMs and system integrators.”

Due to iDIRECTOR’s component architecture, licensees can integrate the technology into host applications, allowing OEMs and system integrators to extend their current products with smart card offerings. Future technology partners of HID Global will find iDIRECTOR reduces development efforts for enabling their applications to be smart card ready and allows them to tap into the company’s global distribution channel.

“HID Identity’s iDIRECTOR represents a significant step forward in simplifying the issuance of multi-application smart cards,” said Stephen Riegel, vice president, Business Development, QI Systems. “For end-users, this means a streamlined process that reduces costs. From a commercial standpoint, we are excited about the opportunities this technology brings as a distribution platform for QI Systems and other application providers.”

Asure ID Exchange version 5.7 incorporating iDIRECTOR technology will be available from HID Identity in Q2 of 2007.

About HID Global HID Global is a leading manufacturer in the access control industry, serving customers worldwide with proximity and contactless smart card technologies; central station managed access controllers; secure and custom card solutions; photo ID and ID card application control software; high definition printer/encoders and secure card issuance solutions. Headquartered in Irvine, California, HID Global operates international offices that support more than 100 countries and is an ASSA ABLOY Group company. To learn more, please visit www.hidcorp.com.