MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- May 2, 2000 -- Today at the annual CardTech/SecurTech conference, Microsoft Corp. announced that five new original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have signed on to build and distribute Microsoft^® Windows^® Powered Smart Cards, another indication of the technology's rapid industry adoption since its initial availability less than six months ago. The newest licensees include Alladin Knowledge Systems Ltd., California Plastics Inc., ICT, Rainbow Technologies and Eastgate Smartron Pte Ltd. Windows for Smart Cards makes it easy and cost-effective for these companies to use industry-standard smart-card technology to produce secure solutions for data access and storage.

"It's gratifying to see the rapid adoption of Windows for Smart Cards from OEMs, ISVs and customers in just six months since the technology has been available," said Philippe Goetschel, director of Smart Cards at Microsoft. "Industry partners recognize that our technology is inexpensive and easy to build and program, and customers are beginning to recognize the convenience, flexibility and security inherent to Windows Powered Smart Cards."

In addition to increased OEM adoption, more than 100 ISVs are now participating in the Smart Card Associated Program developing targeted solutions for Windows Powered Smart Cards, and more than 35,000 Microsoft Windows for Smart Card Toolkits have been distributed through retail channels and MSDN™ developer program mailings.

SwiftCard Technology Inc., a leading provider of smart card development tools, is responding to the developer momentum around Windows for Smart Cards by introducing a C compiler to extend Windows for Smart Cards development to the substantial community of C developers.

"The Windows for Smart Card Virtual Machine enables us to offer tools like this new C compiler to provide developers with a choice of development languages for writing Windows for Smart Cards solutions," said Elizabeth Rather, president of SwiftCard Technology. "In addition, we are seeing an increase in demand for Windows for Smart Cards tools, so it's a smart business decision for us to come in and meet that demand."

Microsoft to Hold Second Annual Smart Card Summit

Microsoft will hold its second annual smart card summit, SmartCard2000, on June 29 and 30 at the Microsoft campus in Redmond, Wash. The event, which will feature a keynote presentation by Microsoft President and CEO Steve Ballmer, is aimed at networking channel partners and key customers looking to deploy smart cards in the future.