22/12/1999
Strålfors and Fingerprint Cards have joined forces to develop the electronic verification of personal identity for smart cards, checking passes and logon to computers with the help of biometry.
The fingerprint pattern will replace the PIN code in cards and card scanners and provide safer e-commerce, Internet banking and access to sensitive information. A Letter of Intent has been signed by the respective companies for the purpose of developing an entirely new product and systems solutions, employing Fingerprint Cards’ patented biometrical technology and Strålfors’ know-how and sales channels in the card and computer accessories area.
The technology has been designed to store the user’s identity in the smart card’s microchip in the form of a digital and coded fingerprint pattern. Identity is verified locally in the fingerprint scanner without external computer support. The degree of security thus obtained is superior compared with that offered by other systems. Fingerprint Cards is fully patented for this security solution.
Strålfors will be running a pilot project with users of the system during the first six months of 2000. There are seven Strålfors Business Areas, one of which is IT-Supplies, the leading supplier of IT accessories in the Nordic countries via e-commerce to B2B customers, for example. Another Business Area is Card Solutions, which produces, personalises and markets cards with magnetic strips and embedded microchips, and also provides a broad range of services for the cards.
”By collaborating, we can now create more secure total solutions for e-commerce, computer access and checking passes. Biometry will become one of the most important technologies in these areas in the future”, says Per Nyström, who is responsible for the overall marketing and Research and Development at Strålfors.
”The combination of biometry and smart cards will be a very effective product for systems where secure and user-friendly technology for establishing personal identity is important”, says Lennart Carlson, the Managing Director of Fingerprint Cards.
The Strålfors Group’s business concept is to operate within the field of information transfer, focusing on computer-related products and services. The Group has a turnover of SEK 2.5 bn and operates in 11 countries. It has 1,550 employees, 850 of whom work in Sweden. Strålfors’ shares have been listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange (OTC list) since 1984.
Fingerprint Cards AB, listed on New Market, has developed a completely integrated and microchip-based system for electronic verification of identity which thus differentiates it from competing technology. It is the only possible solution today for applications such as mobile phones where the company has sold Ericsson a licence.
For more information, please contact: Lennart Carlson, MD, Fingerprint Cards Tel: +46 31 10 06 75
Sven G. Gustafsson, Technical Director Tel: +46 31 10 06 75
Per Samuelson, CEO, Strålfors Tel: +46 372 85 440 Mobile: +46 708 58 54 40
Per Nyström, Marketing Director, Strålfors Mobile: +46 70 972 95 00