Identity, Security, Payments, Biometrics, Smart Cards and Authentication News

OTI, Hypercom, Commtrain deliver first productive European EMV contactless transaction

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

An EMV-compliant contactless payment system developed by OTI, Hypercom and its Swiss partner, Commtrain Card Solutions, recently underwent its first successful test at a McDonald’s restaurant in Switzerland. The transaction was conducted in less than a half second.


First Transaction Conducted in McDonald’s Zurich with OTI Saturn 6000 and Hypercom T2100

FORT LEE, N.J. and PHOENIX – On Track Innovations Ltd,, a global leader in contactless microprocessor-based smart card solutions, together with high security electronic transaction solutions provider Hypercom Corporation, and Hypercom’s Swiss partner, Commtrain Card Solutions AG, announced that their contactless payments system performed what is considered the first EMV contactless transaction in Europe, according to Swiss technology standards and rules.

The transaction was believed to be the fastest secured transaction to date, taking less than 0.5 seconds. The market launch of contactless card payment technology in Switzerland is projected to commence this year, following pilots in Zurich, Lausanne and Lugano.

The transaction was initiated on March 29 by MasterCard Europe and the Swiss Bank Aduno Group, in collaboration with McDonald’s restaurant, in Stadelhofen, Zurich. The transaction was conducted utilizing OTI’s Saturn 6000 and Hypercom’s T2100.

Oded Bashan, Chairman, President & CEO, OTI, commented: “We are honored to participate in the contactless EMV programs in Europe. Our participation in the first contactless EMV transaction together with Hypercom and Commtrain further validates the high level of security and superiority of our products utilizing the cutting edge patented technology of OTI, offering efficiency and convenience to global users.”

“Utilizing a Hypercom Optimum terminal, the transactions are incredibly fast,” said Michael Hartmann, CEO of Commtrain Card Solutions AG. “It was a great pleasure to observe the customer’s reaction at the point of sale, the speed is amazing.”

Kazem Aminaee, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Hypercom EMEA said: “Commtrain’s integration of Hypercom and OTI’s high security contactless payment products is a win-win for merchants and consumers who want the speed and security of faster check-out lines throughout Europe.”

The Saturn 6000 supports contactless payments programs from other major financial institutions, including Visa contactless program, ExpressPay from American Express (TM) and Discover Zip as well as programs for mass transit ticketing, MIFARE, loyalty, third party applications, and more. OTI’s Saturn 6000 is a stylishly designed reader, available in multiple colors and its large LCD display allows for dynamic graphic support, configurable images, and two lines of characters to be programmed in multiple languages. Its plug- and-play design and small footprint allow for easy installation and multiple configurations: The reader can be placed on the countertop, it can be wall- mounted or it can lie flat. The Saturn 6000 is an exceptionally fast reader with built in encryption capabilities developed to address the specific needs of the global contactless markets and the enhanced security required in EMV markets.

Hypercom’s Optimum T2100 is a high-speed countertop terminal based on a 32-bit RISC processor with 12 megabytes of memory and dial communication to speed installation and ease migration. The innovative device features integrated EMV-compliant smart card reader, built-in printer, support for multiple languages and currencies, and hand-over design and graphical interface that guides cardholders through transactions with clear prompts.

About OTI Established in 1990, OTI (NASDAQ: OTIV) designs, develops and markets secure contactless microprocessor-based smart card technology to address the needs of a wide variety of markets. Applications developed by OTI include product solutions for petroleum payment systems, homeland security solutions, electronic passports and IDs, payments, mass transit ticketing, parking, loyalty programs and secure campuses. OTI has a global network of regional offices to market and support its products. The company was awarded the Frost & Sullivan 2005 and 2006 Company of the Year Award in the field of smart cards. For more information on OTI, visit www.otiglobal.com.

About Hypercom
Global payment technology leader Hypercom Corporation delivers a full suite of high security, end-to-end electronic payment products and services. The company’s solutions address the high security electronic transaction needs of banks and other financial institutions, processors, large scale retailers, smaller merchants, quick service restaurants, and users in the transportation, healthcare, prepaid, unattended and many other markets. Hypercom solutions enable businesses in more than 100 countries to securely expand their revenues and profits. For more information on Hypercom, visit www.hypercom.com.

About Commtrain Card Solutions AG, Switzerland
Since 2002, Commtrain makes the point of sale more profitable for its customers by delivering terminal solutions and services which reduce costs and generate new revenues. As a specialist in electronic payment transactions, thousands of companies in Switzerland trust in our technology and customer support services. Together with our partners we adapt smoothly to the rapid evolution of technology while maintaining constant focus on the changing business needs of our clients. For more information on Commtrain, please visit our website at www.commtrain.ch[end] 

Hypercom USA, a payment terminal manufacturer and secure software developer, has announced that it has formally changed its corporate name to Equinox Payments LLC.

In addition to selling new products under the Equinox brand, the company will continue to manufacture, sell and support all payment terminals and peripherals previously offered in the U.S. by Hypercom, including the T4200 countertop, M4200 mobile and L5000 customer-activated product families, as well as all software, terminal management systems and other services related to these products.

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The UK’s YESpay International and YES-wallet.com have teamed up to build an NFC-enabled cloud-based mobile payments platform.

By integrating the YES-wallet Pouch digital wallet with YESpay EMBOSS payment service, the companies will provide a platform that encompasses e-Money, pre-paid and gift-card payments based on Visa PayWave and MasterCard PayPass contactless standards.

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Identive Group Inc. has announced a deal to acquire a majority stake in Hamburg, Germany-based payment solution AG, a cashless payment system provider for stadiums, arenas and other types of entertainment venues.

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Superdrug, one of Britain’s largest beauty and health retailers, has introduced contactless payment for its in-store customers, according to Retail Gazette.

Created by Streamline and Visa Europe, the contactless system will enable customers to make payments of up to £15 (approx. USD $23) by simply waving their contactless bank card at the more than 50 participating Superdrug stores in London and Liverpool.

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The European Payments Council (EPC) has published the second edition of its “White Paper on Mobile Payments.”

According to EPC, the white paper focuses on the usage of the mobile payments in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) and explores how m-payment services can be delivered through cooperation between service providers in the payment industry and players within the mobile ecosystem.

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A new survey from Euro Kartensysteme shows that Germans are starting to embrace the idea of contactless and NFC payments.

Out of 1,040 Germans aged 18-59, 43% responded that they would like to make contactless payments if given the opportunity, of which 58% percent would make their payments with a debit card card, 41% with a credit card and 50% with an NFC phone.

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