Press Release

AuthenTec’s Power of Touch Biometrics Showcased during the 2007 National Retail Federation Show

– Microsoft’s new Point of Service for .NET is first platform to provide plug and play support fingerprint biometrics based on AuthenTec’s TruePrint® technology –

NEW YORK, NY/MELBOURNE, FL, January 11, 2006 -- AuthenTec, the world leader in biometric fingerprint sensor security, innovation and sales, announced that its fingerprint sensor solutions will provide a broad range of touch-enabled capabilities for the latest release of Microsoft Point of Service for .NET.  AuthenTec will be a featured industry partner in Microsoft Corp.’s booth at the 2007 National Retail Federation Show in January.

By utilizing AuthenTec’s TruePrint® technology, the new POS for .NET application is the first to combine the requisite convenience and security features that enable highly efficient touch based retail store management.  Department stores, restaurant chains, and big box stores all desire a more sophisticated approach to store management operations as well as an improved POS experience for customers.

"With support for AuthenTec's TruePrint technology, POS for .NET  will greatly reduce development time for device makers seeking to bring point of service peripheral devices to market,” said Ilya Bukshteyn, director of Windows Embedded Marketing, Mobile and Embedded Devices Division, Microsoft. “POS for .NET provides .NET applications with a simple and consistent interface for communicating with POS devices such as the biometric solution from AuthenTec, and its plug-and-play functionality helps retailers lower device life-cycle costs and reduce time spent connecting devices.”

At the store management level, fingerprint biometrics embedded into every POS terminal will eliminate the need for employees to carry and swipe ID cards which can easily be shared, switched, or even lost, in order to gain access.  The purchase authorization process will be faster and will no longer depend on what an employee carries, but instead, rely on the identity of the store employee who simply swipes a finger to gain access and sign on to the system. 

“AuthenTec is extremely pleased to work with Microsoft for the new release of Windows Embedded for Point of Service,” said Art Stewart, Vice President of Business Development for AuthenTec.  “Fingerprint biometrics is going to provide a new realm of cohesion for the nation’s largest retailers by providing more convenient functionality and enhanced security to an array of core POS functions.”

Another key merchant benefit will be the flexibility to create a highly dynamic POS terminal system across a single store, region or entire chain.  Biometrics will allow retailers to enroll employees a single time and will make per transaction sharing at POS terminals viable for authorized employees.  In addition, AuthenTec’s fingerprint biometrics will help retailers maximize critical measurement techniques such as time and attendance, POS transaction downloads and inventory tracking.

The sophisticated feature set of the new  POS for .NET application will be demonstrated at the National Retail Federation Show, booth #818, beginning January 15 at the Javits Center in New York City.  For more information on AuthenTec, its products, and retail market solutions, please visit www.authentec.com or call 1-321-308-1300.

About AuthenTec

With more than 14 million sensors in use worldwide, AuthenTec is the world leader in fingerprint sensor security, innovation and sales to the PC, wireless, and access control markets. AuthenTec's award-winning FingerLoc® and EntréPad® sensors take full advantage of The Power of Touch" by utilizing the company's patented TruePrint® technology to deliver the most convenient, reliable and cost-effective means available for enabling touch-powered features that extend beyond user authentication. The company's network of partners, solution providers and customers include: Analog Devices, APC, ASUSTek, Compal, Cherry, Fujitsu Computer, Computer Associates, HP, IBM, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Microsoft, Motion Computing, MPC Computers, NEC Packard Bell, Pantech, Quanta, Samsung, Tatung, Texas Instruments, Toshiba, and Wistron, among others.  Visit www.authentec.com

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