Athena Becomes a Member of GlobalPlatform
18 October 2010 GlobalPlatform welcomes Athena a leading developer of Java Card smart card operating systems, middleware and smart card readers as its latest member.The decision to join demonstrates Athena's commitment to contribute to the development of card specifications, particularly in the areas of government and identity.
Athena, which has vast experience with large-scale ID projects, joins GlobalPlatform as a Participating Member. The organization, which works to provide developers, integrators, original equipment manufacturers and users with the optimal professional platforms for smart card integration and operability, will actively contribute in the organization's Card Committee, task forces and various working groups.
Ian Simmons, Vice-President of Engineering at Athena, comments: "Athena decided to join GlobalPlatform as a Participating Member to benefit from cooperation with other industry leaders. Our involvement in the Card Committee is important to us and our partners due to GlobalPlatform's work with government and identity card configurations. We are very excited to have the opportunity to influence the direction in which GlobalPlatform specifications are evolving."
Kevin Gillick, Executive Director of GlobalPlatform, adds: "GlobalPlatform is delighted to welcome Athena to the association. We look forward to supporting its development in the industry as well as benefiting from its contribution to our ongoing initiatives to simplify and accelerate the adoption of interoperable smart card technology."
Further membership benefits for Athena include: the ability to participate in GlobalPlatform's Advisory Council, which provides direct access for members to the GlobalPlatform Executive Director and Board of Directors; all-member meeting attendance; and voting privileges.
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Notes to Editors
About GlobalPlatform - www.globalplatform.org
GlobalPlatform is the world leader in smart card infrastructure development. Its proven technical specifications for cards, devices and systems are regarded as the industry standard for achieving interoperable, sustainable and flexible smart card deploymentsthat support multi-application, multi-actor and multi-business model implementations.
About Athena - www.athena-scs.com
Athena Smartcard is one of the fastest growing players in the smart card industry. Athena provides its customers with state of the art smart card technology, from its corporate headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, R&D centres in Scotland, USA and Israel, and a world-wide partner network. Athena's team of smart card experts and engineers has been developing native and Java Card smart card operating systems, middleware and smart card readers since 1995. Athena possesses unique smart card technologies, software security techniques, certification, and embedded systems expertise.
