Hi Tom,
Thank you for your inquiry. Let me first begin by answering your questions:
Our readers are compatible with both systems. In addition, our readers comply to the PC/SC specification (Microsoft) and were recently certified by IBM through their REK programme. The IBM certification means that our readers are on the approved list for purchase by all IBM divisions worldwide to be incorporated into IBM products.
Our readers were designed with durability as one of the main design criteria. As you may know, we have two projects in CHINA to provide provincial drivers licensing systems.(the Driver License and Infraction Management Systems - DLIMS). These projects, which are operational, have processed in excess of 3 million transactions in harsh conditions. Our reader's failure rate is far below both expected and normal industry expectations - they have proven to be very resilient and durable. This aspect is very important for BIT because this project is 9,000 miles away. Evidence of the user's satisfaction with all aspects of the system, including durability, may be concluded from Shaanxi's recent announcement to enact this system into their local legislation, thus making it law that Smart cards and our readers be used exclusively for all forms of license processing in these regions. This announcement was made after a long and rigorous trail involving several hundred thousands and thousands of readers.
Microsoft is in the business of providing an operating system for Smart cards and in defining a scheme, PC/SC, to allow Windows PC operating systems to inherently recognize and process Smartcards. BIT is in the business of Systems Integration and product development (eg. readers). BIT is not a Smart card manufacturer. We view Microsoft as a strategic partner in this industry in the sense that their promotion of the operating systems allowing for Smartcard usage and their development of a Smart card O/S will build critical mass in the marketplace. This will allow BIT a vastly broader market into which we can sell our product and services.
BIT has some of the largest Smart card installations in the World, our DLIMS. These projects were the subject of the June 1998 cover story in CARD technology magazine(a copy of which is located on our Web site, www.bit-inc.com). We have also recently been awarded a contract to provide the technology and related products for the largest Smart card loyalty programme to date, VIP Toronto (see our press release on our Web site). We have also entered into an MOU with Gemplus, one of the largest manufacturers of smart cards in the world, whereby Gemplus will market our DLIMS through their network of over 150 VARs worldwide.
We believe that these successes are the result of our commitment to developing sound technology and products that have proven to be reliable and which achieve the goals of our clients. |
