JSE-listed trusted transactions company Prism Holdings has been named the 2005 winner of the Department of Trade and Industry`s SPII Award for innovation, as a result of its ground-breaking developments in SIM technology for the global GSM market.
The annual awards, a highlight of the DTI`s Support Programme for Industrial Innovation (SPII) administered by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), acknowledge the exceptional achievements of entrepreneurs who turn innovative ideas into commercially successful businesses.
Prism received the award for the development of its uSIMetrix operating system (OS), a next-generation SIM product designed for use in third-generation (3G) mobile networks. The product provides support for 3G advanced data and mobile commerce (m-commerce) applications. uSIMetrix follows Prism`s successful aSIMetrix product range that has been widely adopted internationally for use in 2G m-commerce initiatives.
Although primarily designed for use in 3G handsets, uSIMetrix is completely versatile as it supports seamless roaming between 2G and 3G networks and can be used in second generation handsets and smart phones.
"The original design criteria for uSIMetrix proposed the development of a product that would securely and effortlessly support the delivery of complex digital content over 3G networks," explains Prism`s Chip Business Unit`s SIM Product Manager, Jyri Hamalainen.
"More than two years ago when Prism first started development on its uSIMetrix product, it was in anticipation of advanced data services at that stage still in their infancy, explains Hamalainen.
"When we commenced R&D on uSIMetrix we assumed that the demand for advanced 3G data services would become an everyday reality, we also had to direct our own development efforts on our predictions of how 3G technology would evolve. Today consumer demand for advanced services is becoming ubiquitous, an example of this is digital rights management (DRM), a scheme that is designed to protect the integrity and dominium of multimedia content (eg - video and music tracks) when disseminated onto consumer platforms such as a mobile handset or mobile MP3 music and video players. In this instance uSIMetrix doubles as a secure cryptographic processing device to the handset and in this respect the product is more than ready for the challenge."
Prism has extended its highly successful SIM OS licensing business to incorporate uSIMetrix; this will enable third parties to license this software from Prism and to apply the technology at respective customers and markets in an unencumbered manner.
"uSIMetix delivers a new level of ease with respect to portability of the OS," explains Hamalainen. In order to leverage existing procurement relationships, it is necessary to provide our licensees with as many SIM platform options to choose from as possible. uSIMetrix is available on several silicon platforms supplied by popular silicon vendors worldwide.
Leading network operators have been quick to see the advantages of Prism`s uSIM and Prism 3G uSIMs, or licensed versions thereof are finding their way into the handsets of GSM network operators everywhere.
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JSE-listed Prism Holdings Limited is a trusted transactions company with expertise in the area of secure electronic transaction technologies and services. The group has a strong presence in South Africa and an established and expanding footprint across Africa and South-East Asia. Prism`s head office is located in Johannesburg, South Africa and has a regional office, Prism Transactive (M) Sdn. Bhd., in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Prism has a proven track record in the delivery of own IP transaction technologies and end-to-end solutions tailored for the retail, utilities, banking, cellular and petroleum industries. The group has developed and implemented innovative payment-centric products that bridge the following technologies:
* Chip and wireless products: including telecoms and financial software, GSM SIM cards, SAMs and prepaid telephone cards.
* Encryption products: Incognito Transaction Security Modules (TSMs), security products ensuring transaction integrity and third-party products.
* OEM transaction modules including secure payment modules, PIN entry devices, card readers and outdoor payment terminals.
* Payment solutions incorporating secure integrated POS payment systems, VeriFone products, EMV upgrades, payment software and FlexiLane/POS multi-lane chip payment solution.
* EasyPay services which manages the largest bank-independent financial switch in southern Africa.
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