DENVER, June 16, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Multicard, a leading supplier of credential solutions, identity management and system integration services and a business unit of Identive Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:INVE) (Frankfurt:INV), announced today it is implementing a new identity management platform for The University of Arizona. The platform leverages contactless smart card technology and utilizes an open, standards-based architecture to manage and administer the institution's "CatCard" identity management program, which includes 51,000 students, faculty and staff on the university's campus in Tucson as well as other campus sites in Arizona. Multicard is providing ongoing consulting, integration and project management services for the program.
The new solution replaces the university's previous identity and access cards based on traditional proprietary technology with highly secure contactless smart cards that will enable multiple applications on one ID credential. The new card will allow holders to enter dormitories and other campus buildings, securely log on to PCs or campus IT networks, check out materials from the library, validate meal plan participation, and pay for on-campus print and copy services, bookstore purchases, vending items and parking, as well as serving as an ID card. Multicard's open architecture approach provides The University of Arizona with the flexibility to add or change applications on the "CatCard" at a far lower cost than its previous proprietary keycard. In addition, optional biometric authentication will be added for high-value research facilities on campus, thus ensuring the enhanced security required for research funding.
"We have had some ambitious goals for our identity management program, and Multicard helped us not only to achieve, but surpass them," said Diane Tatterfield, Assistant Director of CatCard Services for The University of Arizona. "It was critical that we move to an open platform that we could control, so that we have the ability to make modifications over time to address changing needs. Multicard has given us this flexibility, which we plan to exercise in the future by adding a city bus transit application to the CatCard and offering ticketless purchases for events at our stadium. It was also important that we bring down the ongoing cost of administering the CatCard program, and with an open platform we now have many more competitive options when selecting card and equipment vendors."
"To address the desire of The University of Arizona to stay ahead of the game with cutting-edge technology, resources and services, we provided a future-ready migration path while ensuring backwards compatibility with the university's existing infrastructure," explained David Callaghan, Director of Professional Services for Multicard. "Many of the 4,400 colleges and universities in the U.S. are only beginning to think about implementing one-card, multi-application contactless ID solutions for their campus environments. We appreciate the opportunity to work with The University of Arizona, which has long been a trail blazer in the area of campus cards."
About Multicard
Multicard is a worldwide supplier of card solutions for secure identification programs, with in-house capabilities for credential issuance, personalization and fulfillment for the consumer, government, education, healthcare, smart community and corporate markets. Multicard offers a complete open payment platform, ID systems management and engineering services as well as full implementation and program management. Multicard also is a provider of enrollment, emergency management and accreditation solutions using government or corporate IDs. For additional information, visit www.multicard.com.
Multicard is a business unit of Identive Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:INVE) (Frankfurt:INV), a leading provider of products, services and solutions for the security, identification and RFID industries. For more information, please visit .
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CONTACT: Multicard jhaggerty@multicard.com 303-477-3338 x118 Identive Group, Inc. Darby Dye ddye@identive-group.com 949-553-4251 Annika Oelsner aoelsner@identive-group.com +49 89 95 95 5220
