Gemplus upgrades its EMV Prime suite of solutions with new "Card Issuance" component to simplify EMV migration

• Gemplus "EMV Prime", a ground-breaking suite of solutions launched in February 2002 to address the worldwide challenges of EMV migration, now further upgraded with a new issuance component
  
• Gemplus 'EMV Card Issuance' provides banks and issuers with a dedicated range of services to reduce EMV migration risk, complexity and time to market, and to help them deliver differentiating services to cardholders
  
• In 'EMV Card Issuance' Gemplus handles the complete card issuance process or undertakes the complete upgrade of a personalization bureau
  

Luxembourg 06 June 2002. Gemplus, the world's number one provider of solutions empowered by smart cards, today announced a further upgrade to its "EMV Prime" suite of solutions with the launch of its 'EMV Card Issuance' services.

In February 2002, Gemplus was first to market with a comprehensive suite of smart solutions addressing the challenges posed by EMV migration. The new component, 'EMV Card Issuance', will meet repeated requests from banks and financial institutions for packaged products and services that reduce migration complexity, limit operational risks and reduce time to market. In addition, it paves the way for the delivery of high-value, differentiating services to cardholders. As a result, clients can take a step beyond EMV to extend their marketing reach, increase brand affinity and generate higher revenue.

Leveraging extensive expertise and undisputed geographical coverage in personalization (15 centers worldwide), 'EMV Card Issuance' grants issuers their pick of migration possibilities adapted to their specific requirements, as well as access to a wide range of services. For example, they have the flexibility of easily issuing cards with the application of their choice, and with an innovative range of customizable packaging and fulfillment options.

'EMV Card Issuance' provides extensive customer support throughout the migration process from EMV training to consulting services and production support. It allows the issuance services to be multi-sourced, and the cards to be issued locally.

"Our 'EMV Card Issuance' services minimize the impacts of EMV migration", says Gilles Michel, President of Financial and Security Services at Gemplus. "We are determined to help our clients turn a complex process to their advantage. Using our technology they can take a step beyond EMV and profit from the new opportunities it brings."

About Gemplus

"GEMPLUS: the world's leading provider of smart card solutions.

Gemplus helps its clients offer an exceptional range of portable, personalized solutions that bring security and convenience to people's lives. These include mobile Internet access, inter-operable banking facilities, e-commerce and a wealth of other applications.

Gemplus is the only completely dedicated, truly global player in the Smart Card industry, with the largest R&D team, unrivalled experience, and an outstanding track record of technological innovation.
In 2001, Gemplus was the world number one in chip card shipments according to Gartner-Dataquest. Based on Eurosmart estimates, Gemplus shipped 34% of the worldwide market.

Gemplus trades its shares on Euronext Paris S.A. First Market and on the Nasdaq Stock Market™ as GEMP in the form of ADSs. Its revenue in 2001 was 1.0 billion Euros.

Gemplus: Beyond Smart www.gemplus.com

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