Toshiba Membership Upgrade Signals Growing Commitment To GlobalPlatform
08 November, 2007 – Toshiba Corporation has upgraded its membership status within international smart card specification organization GlobalPlatform from Observer to Full Member. This development signals the company’s increased commitment to advancing GlobalPlatform Specifications for cards, devices and systems and elevating the profile of GlobalPlatform’s secure and interoperable smart card infrastructure within the Japanese and global markets.
Already, Toshiba Corporation has played a significant role in facilitating understanding and developing awareness of GlobalPlatform in peer Japanese companies, and among decision makers involved in Japanese Government credentialing initiatives. This has been achieved primarily through the engagement of Shoji Taniguchi, Chief Marketing Specialist at Toshiba Corporation, as a GlobalPlatform Strategic Director. As a member of the Next Generation IC Card System Study Group (NICSS) - an organization formed by a number of private Japanese companies to develop contactless multi-application smart cards primarily for use in the Japanese Public Sector – Mr. Taniguchi has been instrumental in facilitating ongoing collaborative discussions between NICSS and GlobalPlatform.
Toshiba Corporation’s decision to increase its involvement in GlobalPlatform will allow it the opportunity to participate in all three GlobalPlatform technical committees – the Card, Device and Systems Committees - and the organization’s Advisory Council, a forum which provides members with an opportunity to highlight market trends and technical requirements that will impact GlobalPlatform’s future strategy. The company will also have increased voting rights within the membership-driven body, and is able to nominate one representative for election to GlobalPlatform’s Board of Directors.
Shoji Taniguchi, Chief Marketing Specialist at Toshiba Corporation, comments: “Toshiba Corporation is a long term advocate of the GlobalPlatform Specifications. We therefore welcome the opportunity to become more involved in GlobalPlatform and to add our voice at all levels to the significant work being done to develop interoperable specifications for smart cards, devices and systems.”
Bob Beer, Chairman of GlobalPlatform and Vice President of Business Development at Datacard Group, adds: “Toshiba Corporation is a valued member of GlobalPlatform, so the company’s decision to strengthen its commitment to the organization is warmly welcomed. As a member driven organization, GlobalPlatform relies on the dedication of its members, not only within the parameters of the technical committees, but also to help drive the specifications to market. Our Asian members, such as Toshiba Corporation, have been an integral force when securing acceptance of GlobalPlatform in the dynamic Asia-Pacific smart card market and they are invaluable to GlobalPlatform’s future. I look forward to working more closely with Toshiba in its expanded membership role.”
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For further media information, please contact Lee’ann Kaufman or Sarah Jones at iseepr: leeann@iseepr.co.uk / sarah@iseepr.co.uk or on +44 (0) 113 274 5252
About Toshiba Corporation
Based in Tokyo, Toshiba Corporation is the world's 9th largest manufacturer and marketer of electronic and electrical products, spanning information and communications equipment and systems, Internet-based solutions and services, electronic components and materials, power systems, industrial and social infrastructure systems, and household appliances. https://www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm
About GlobalPlatform
GlobalPlatform is the global leader in smart card infrastructure development and its proven, technical specifications for cards, devices and systems are known as the standard for smart card infrastructure. GlobalPlatform is a member driven association with cross-industry representation from all world continents. For more information about GlobalPlatform, visit: www.globalplatform.org
