News

Synercard to bundle Corel® Custom Photo OEM package with Asure IDTM

Customers to have complete toolkit for producing photo ID Cards

American Society for Industrial Security Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada - September 27, 1999 -- Synercard Corporation of Hull, Quebec, today announced that it has reached a major marketing agreement with Corel Corporation, of Ottawa. Under terms of the agreement, Corel's recently released Corel® Custom Photo OEM software program will be integrated with Synercard's flagship Asure IDTM, a software solution for the production of photo identity cards.

Synercard made the announcement at the American Society for Industrial Security Show where the company is exhibiting Asure ID, its innovative Internet-based database product which combines smart card technology, biometrics, digital imaging, Internet and intranet networking and Cryptography technologies.

Asure ID provides organizations with the ability to capture and securely register cardholder information from remote locations. Asure ID removes the need to purchase, operate and maintain expensive card printing equipment. It provides flexibility and cost savings by managing and producing cards using secure, reliable central locations either within a company or through an international network of Synercard Secure Authorized Card Bureaus.

With the addition of Corel Custom Photo, Asure ID users will now have the most complete software suite available for easily producing photo identity cards which are rapidly becoming the method of choice for employee and customer identification.

"We're truly excited to have Corel on board, said Synercard president Bruce Bianco. "Corel Custom Photo is a powerful package which gives our customers an extremely cost-effective, self-contained solution. Corel's expertise and excellence in graphics will be of immediate benefit to our users."

"We find an excellent fit between Corel Custom Photo and Asure ID," said Dr. Michael Cowpland, President & CEO of Corel Corporation. "Corel Custom Photo was designed to be flexible and powerful. Its integration with Synercard's Asure ID and its unique application in the field of photo identity card technology is highly promising."

The use of photo-based smart cards is in its early stages; demand from government organizations and business sectors such as manufacturing, financial services and health care is expected to create a $1.5 billion (US) market for personalization/issuance products and services by 2001.

"Synercard, especially with Corel's involvement, has a solid opportunity to become a significant player in this industry which does not, as yet, have a clear leader," continued Bianco. "I also expect that there will be other opportunities for Corel and Synercard to work together."

Synercard Corporation was formed in 1997 to address the emerging market opportunities in the areas of Internet and intranet-based card personalization for photo cards and the use of smart cards in secure electronic commerce applications. Additional information on Synercard and Asure ID can be found at www.synercard.com or by calling 1-877-ASURE-ID

For More Information Contact:
Bruce Bianco, President
Synercard Corporation
Tel: (819) 777-6687, Ext.3122
Fax: (819) 777-8114
Email: bbianco@synercard.com

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