SCM Reader Achieves 99 Percent Hit Rate

FREMONT, Calif., July 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/–SCM Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCMM), a leading provider of solutions that open the Digital World, today announced that its radio frequency readers were among the most successful reader entries in the June international e-Passport testing in Berlin, where electronic passport samples were tested against readers from multiple manufacturers for interoperability.

SCM Microsystems’ reader successfully read 89 of 90 electronic passports–a success rate of almost 99 percent. The company was one of the top performers out of 47 reader vendors at the event, improving on its excellent results at the previous interoperability test in Singapore held last November. Among the ten most successful manufacturers of e-Passport readers at the June test were also several whose readers included SCM radio frequency technology.

The interoperability test took place from May 29th to June 1st in Berlin, Germany, with more than 450 participants from 38 nations representing both industry and government. The test was organized by the German Institute for Standardization (DIN) and was held under the auspices of the European Commission, as well as the German and French Federal Ministries of the Interior.

“SCM has devoted significant time and resources over the past few years to develop broad experience in contactless technology, which we are incorporating in many of our products, including our radio frequency modules for e-passport readers,” said Robert Schneider, chief executive officer of SCM Microsystems. “Our technology ensures that both our readers and those of our OEM customers are able to read electronic documents quickly and reliably, while complying with the strictest data security requirements. As a pioneer and market leader in smart card reader technology, it is a natural move to expand our technology portfolio to address the needs of the emerging world market for electronic passports and ID cards.”

About SCM Microsystems

SCM Microsystems is a leading supplier of solutions that open the Digital World by enabling people to conveniently access digital content and services. The company develops, markets and sells the industry’s broadest range of smart card reader technology for secure PC, network and physical access and digital media readers for transfer of digital content to OEM customers in the government, financial, enterprise, consumer electronics and photographic equipment markets worldwide. Global headquarters are in Fremont, California, with European headquarters in Ismaning, Germany. For additional information, visit the SCM Microsystems web site at http://www.scmmicro.com.