In order to leverage business opportunities throughout Africa in the smart card arena, Face Technologies, a Southern African leader in the identification technology arena and On Track Innovations Africa (OTI Africa), supplier of OTI microprocessor-based contactless smart card technology have signed a co-operation agreement.
In this significant step forward in the implementation of the latest smart card technology, the two companies have committed themselves to a business alliance to market each other`s services to potential clients in Africa.
Face Technologies, a business unit of Ariel Technologies, is a systems integrator and provider of turnkey systems and integrated business solutions for identification, security and management of human resources and assets. It is also a specialist in the development and implementation of Biometrics, a technology which enables fingerprint identification, facial recognition and/or iris scanning.
Says Face Technologies general manager, Serfies Serfontein: "We pride ourselves on providing a total solution to meet all our clients needs. The alliance with OTI Africa is a logical step forward and we opted for this company, as OTI is the world`s pioneer and leader in microprocessor-based contactless smart card technology. This contactless technology is offered in tandem with contact smart card technology through its EYECON"a MultiCardT. "
"It is our view, based on extensive research, that OTI provides the best available smart card platforms and with OTI on board as our technology partner, we are now well positioned to make huge inroads in the smart card arena."
Says managing director of OTI Africa, Charlotte Hambly-Nuss: "We chose Face Technologies as a business partner as they are the leader in biometric verification systems, have a sound track record, are excellent implementers and have a well established customer base mainly utilising their identification systems.
"Many of these customers are considering upgrading their existing systems from magstripe or memory based solutions to contactless solutions for a number of reasons including the need for improved security and a durable solution."
"Face Technologies therefore provides an ideal opportunity for OTI Africa to penetrate a number of different market segments through the introduction of OTI`s technology and its unique contactless applications which are highly suitable for integration with Face Technologies` systems."
Ms Hambly-Nuss says that one of the main features, which holds major advantages for Face Technologies, is the microprocessor-based functionality of OTI`s smart card technology which enables the incorporation of new applications onto existing cards as well as the revision of existing applications.
"Furthermore, the ability to alter the functionality of the card through remote software updates enhances the flexibility of the card as an e-commerce or mobile computing platform which will be very useful in the payment systems implemented by Face."
"The EYECON MultiCardT, also provides both contact and contactless interfaces on one card. Data can be transferred either via contact between the smart card and the reader or via contactless RF (Radio Frequency) communication via the antenna embedded into the card. Regardless of whether the communication is contact or contactless, the same microprocessor inside the card is activated, preserving data integrity and security.
Other features include:Battery-free operation - OTI`s matched antenna system makes for more efficient use of the energy transmitted by the electro-magnetic field than is possible with a resonant circuit system. OTI`s technology is not only able to power an ASIC chip, it passes enough energy to power a microprocessor inside the smart card without a battery.
DES, RSA and ECC data encryption and other data security features - OTI`s patented matched antenna system enables encryption in a contactless smart card for the first time. OTI`s microprocessor-based cards offer both DES "private key" and RSA "public key" encryption engines and enables true secured wallet-to-wallet transactions.
Full user authentication, including biometrics, pin codes etc - OTI`s card technology provides for storage of biometric information, such as fingerprints, on the card itself. This facility establishes full authentication between the card and its owner when user authenticity is crucial, such as at ATM`s, in access control applications etc.
Concludes Serfies Serfontein: "We are confident that the teaming together of two companies both on the cutting edge in their respective fields will make us a formidable force in the smart card arena and open many doors throughout the continent."
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