SCM Microsystems to Supply MPC Computers With Smart Card Readers for U.S. Government Programs
December 06 2004 - 2:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
SCM Microsystems to Supply MPC Computers With Smart Card Readers
for U.S. Government Programs FREMONT, Calif., Dec. 6
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SCM Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCMM;
Prime Standard: SMY), a leading provider of solutions that open the
Digital World, today announced it will provide tens of thousands of
smart card readers over the next 12 months to MPC Computers, an
industry-leading PC manufacturer. SCM's readers will be used in
U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) programs to authenticate
users and systems so that access to critical information systems
necessary for business functions can be securely managed. SCM's
USB, PCMCIA and keyboard smart card readers will be offered as an
external option on MPC's ClientPro 365, 565 and 414 All-in-One
desktop computers. MPC is a major technology supplier to the U.S.
government. The GSA has promoted the adoption of smart card
technology across the government based on a goal of equipping all
federal employees with a standardized smart card for a wide range
of services. In support of this goal, GSA has implemented the
government-wide, standards-based Smart Card Access Common ID
contract, which federal agencies can use to procure smart card
products and services. Five agencies, including the Departments of
Defense, Homeland Security, the Interior, Veterans Affairs and the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are planning
to make an aggregated purchase of up to 40 million smart cards over
the next four years using the GSA contract. "We chose SCM as our
reader partner because they have the right technology platform as
well as the experience and track record to work successfully on
large government projects," said Bob Repp, vice president of
national programs at MPC. "As a leading supplier of computer
technology to the government sector, it's imperative that we
provide solutions that meet both the specifications and the
expectations of a given project. SCM helps us to do this." "MPC is
a superior supplier to the US government, and we are pleased to
partner with them to supply readers for new smart card programs,"
said Colas Overkott, executive vice president of sales and
marketing at SCM Microsystems. "SCM is the most capable and
experienced reader supplier to handle the large scale demand that
will be required under the GSA contract. This is a significant win
for SCM as we continue to drive our reader platform into the
government sector." The readers being supplied to MPC are all based
on SCM's STC II controller chip, an embedded, single chip solution
for smart card and biometric readers that supports multiple
interfaces, multiple reader devices and all relevant security
standards. The STC II chip was the industry's first to offer
On-board Flash, allowing future firmware and application
enhancements. About SCM Microsystems SCM Microsystems is a leading
supplier of solutions that open the Digital World by enabling
people to securely access digital content and services. The company
develops, markets and sells its smart card reader technology for
network and physical access and conditional access modules for
secure digital TV decryption to OEM customers in the government,
financial, enterprise and broadcasting markets worldwide. Global
headquarters are in Fremont, California, with European headquarters
in Ismaning, Germany. For additional information, visit the SCM
Microsystems web site at http://www.scmmicro.com/. About MPC
Computers MPC Computers, LLC, provides award-winning computer
products and services to its target markets of mid-sized
businesses, government agencies and education organizations. MPC's
mission is to provide its customers with a superior level of
service and support in addition to its high-quality PC products.
MPC, headquartered in Nampa, Idaho, is held by Gores Technology
Group, an international acquisition and management company. More
information about the company can be found at
http://www.mpccorp.com/. Notes to Editors: All trade names are
either trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders. DATASOURCE: SCM Microsystems, Inc. CONTACT: Manfred
Mueller of SCM Microsystems, Inc., +49 89 95 95 5140, or ; or Deb
Montner of Montner & Associates, +1-203-226-9290, or , for SCM
Microsystems, Inc. Web site: http://www.mpccorp.com/ Web site:
http://www.scmmicro.com/
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