HID Introduces Low-Cost, Highly-Durable iClass Contactless Smart Card

    Sept. 12, 2005
    Clamshell-Style Cards offer read/write 13.56 MHz technology in ABS shell and PVC cover label construction at pricing levels equal to comparable 125 kHz proximity clamshell cards

    IRVINE, Calif. -- HID Corporation, the premier manufacturer of contactless access control cards and readers for the security industry, today announced the expansion of its iCLASS® 13.56 MHz contactless smart card family with the introduction of a low-cost, highly-durable read/write contactless smart card. HID's clamshell-style card is constructed of an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) shell and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cover label that is strong, flexible and resistant to cracking and breaking. Additionally, the card can be custom printed utilizing most direct image printers offering convenient on-site photo identification capabilities.

    The iCLASS Clamshell Card is based on HID's iCLASS 13.56 MHz read/write contactless smart card technology platform that meets ISO 15693 standards and includes a highly-secure, encrypted 64-bit diversified key format for mutual authentication. For even higher security, the card data can be protected with DES or triple-DES encryption.

    "It has been our long-standing strategy to provide customers with multiple card technology choices and price points for use with our iCLASS and Prox card readers," said Jim Colleran, HID's product manager for credential technologies. "These new iCLASS Clamshell Cards demonstrate our ongoing commitment to deliver value-priced credentials for those customers implementing contactless smart cards for access control."

    Available in 2k bit (256 Byte), dual-application area format, the iCLASS Clamshell Card has an HID standard access control area and one additional area for applications including time and attendance, and biometric identification. Extremely consistent read ranges are unaffected by body shielding or variable environmental conditions even when close to keys and coins.

    The iCLASS Clamshell Card features a lifetime warranty and will be available by the end of this year from HID's network of distributors, OEMs, and system integrators worldwide.