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Face Technologies recieves major boost with Gemplus Agreement

Leaders in the arena of identification technology, Face Technologies - a business unit of Ariel Technologies - has been appointed as a VAR (value-added reseller) for the SADC region by one of the world's top card suppliers, Gemplus.

Gemplus, with an annual turnover in excess of US$648 million (R4,5 billion), is the world's largest supplier of cards, be it smartcards or standard printed cards and operates through a network of subsidiaries and VARs throughout the world.

A main focus area at Gemplus has been GSM technology. It provides a wide range of technology to meet most requirements from banking to telecommunications to tagging to security.

Says Dougie Henderson, Manager of the Smartcard Solutions Division at Face Technologies: "We are very excited about this opportunity as it holds major benefits for Face Technologies and our clients such as access to world-class technology and products."

He says Gemplus invested US$50 million (R350m) in 1998 in research and development and has the largest research team in the global smartcard industry, employing over 500 people in its R&D department.

"Last year, after identifying smartcards as a major growth area for Face Technologies, we intensified our focus in the smartcard arena and our new found relationship with Gemplus will assist us in growing this market rapidly.

"Other major benefits are that we now have access to Gemplus France for product, software development and technical training.

Henderson says that the two companies will be working closely together to grow the market especially the SADC region.

Says Mark Garish, Sales Manager of Gemplus South Africa, "We are excited about our partnership and look forward to expanding our share of the local and African market with Face Technologies."

As a provider of turnkey systems and integrated business solutions for effective identification, security and management of human resources and assets, the company has achieved much success in South Africa and across the borders. Success stories include the Free State and Western Cape Welfare payment system with ABSA Allpay, Botswana National ID and AFIS, Zambia drivers' licence, South African drivers' licence, South African 1994 temporary voters' cards and voters' roll in 1998 for Lesotho.

Projects currently being deployed include the Zanzibar National ID, Malawi drivers' licence and vehicle registration system, Gauteng welfare payments with ABSA Allpay, Namibia welfare payments and the Lesotho drivers' licence.

For details contact Tania Buckett of Face Technologies on tel: (012) 663 7522.

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