IRVINE, Calif.–HID Global, the trusted leader in providing solutions for the delivery of secure identity and an ASSA ABLOY Group brand, announced that its Crescendo smart cards have earned the “Works with Windows Vista” logo for the Smart Card Framework minidriver. Crescendo cards also work with all physical access control systems. Any organization can now conveniently and cost-effectively deploy a single credential for both logical and physical access control applications.

Crescendo C200, an off-the-shelf smart card that makes the deployment and use of smart cards on Windows easy and cost-effective, has successfully been tested for baseline compatibility with PCs running the Windows Vista operating system. The Crescendo C200 credential solution is also certified for use with Windows XP and Microsoft Windows Server 2003. Organizations can now enable smart cards by simply downloading the minidriver from Microsoft Windows Update or Download Center.

The key benefits of the Crescendo C200 are: –By automatically integrating smart cards into various Microsoft operating systems, the card is as simple to install and use as any Windows-based peripheral. –Integration with industry-leading HID physical access control technology allows the card to be easily deployed for both logical and physical access control applications. –The C200 is designed to work easily with Microsoft operating systems.

“HID Global is pleased to respond to our customers’ requests for a single off-the-shelf, cost-effective credential that can be used for both logical and physical access control,” said Denis Hébert, president and CEO of HID Global, and executive vice president, ASSA ABLOY. “By incorporating the Microsoft smart card minidriver into our standard offering, customers can now trust HID to provide reliable and secure access in both the logical and physical worlds.”

The Crescendo series of smart cards also includes the Crescendo C700 smart card. Both the Crescendo C200 and the C700 cards are supported by the Microsoft Identity Lifecyle Manager 2007, dramatically simplifying the deployment, management and auditing of smart cards used for a variety of logical access control applications. In addition, the Crescendo C700 supports applications from third-party vendors including single sign-on, VPN and pre-boot authentication.

To learn more about Crescendo or to request a Crescendo Evaluation Kit, visit www.hidcorp.com/crescendo.

About HID Global HID Global is the trusted leader in providing solutions for the delivery of secure identity, serving customers worldwide with proximity and contactless smart card technologies; IP-based networked access solutions; 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 brand.