Initially, the product portfolio is planned to consist of FeliCa Physical Access Control Terminals (PACT); additional products are under discussion between the two companies. All SCM terminals and readers developed under the cooperation are anticipated to be fully ISO 14443 and FeliCa capable and fully support Near Field Communication (NFC) functionality. SCM expects to introduce the first readers in its FeliCa portfolio in the fourth quarter of 2008.

FeliCa is the de facto standard for contactless payment in Japan, which is the most developed contactless market in the world with more than 250 million electronic payment cards and FeliCa-enabled mobile phones in circulation today. Created by Sony, FeliCa is based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and enables flexible and secure contactless transactions, making it useful for a variety of applications, including electronic cash, points systems and ticket purchases. The word "FeliCa" derives from Felicity Card, underscoring the card's aim to make daily living easier and more convenient. The FeliCa card allows users to send and receive data at high speed and with high security. As the card can be used over and over again by rewriting the data, the system also is very environment-friendly.

"We are very pleased to be selected by Sony as a trusted partner in their FeliCa initiative," said Felix Marx, chief executive officer of SCM Microsystems. "This is a significant achievement for SCM and the foundation of what we hope will be a long-term relationship with Sony and other players in the global FeliCa ecosystem."

"We are looking for experienced and reliable partners who have the ability to help expand the FeliCa globally. We welcome the cooperation with SCM Microsystems and look forward to making it a success," said Hiromasa Otsuka, corporate executive senior vice president at Sony Corporation responsible for the FeliCa business division.