Thales also gains automatic rights to implement the recently released MULTOS step/one off-card specifications for key management and data preparation of EMV and other value added applications. MULTOS step/one is the entry level MULTOS platform for financial institutions migrating to EMV – the only open standard alternative to proprietary OS EMV cards.

Thales has a significant level of MULTOS expertise. Since the launch of MULTOS as an open standard, Thales has been supplying the P3™ software and HSM solution for MULTOS Application Load Unit (ALU) generation to card personalisation bureaux and card issuers all over the world. P3 is the first data preparation product to accept input directly from the M/Chip 4 for MULTOS Customisation Utility, and to be able to generate M/Chip 4, MODS, VSDC, J-Smart and other ALUs for all types of MULTOS and MULTOS step/one cards. In the course of 2004, Thales worked with MAOSCO and the other MULTOS consortium members to demonstrate the first OneSMART Branch Issuance Solution for MULTOS, and will jointly demonstrate further smart card issuance solutions for financial and ID MULTOS projects in 2005.

Paul Meadowcroft, head of transaction security at Thales stated: "As leader in the provision of chip data preparation solutions, we already have extensive expertise in MULTOS. By joining the MAOSCO consortium, we can contribute our knowledge to the future development of the off-card MULTOS specifications for the benefit of our growing number of MULTOS customers."

Steve Everhard, CEO of MAOSCO Ltd., said: "Thales and their P3 product powers many of the MULTOS card issuance programmes around the world, in applications ranging from payment to national identity. The fact that Thales are the third industry organisation to join MAOSCO in as many weeks should make those who are still on the outside ask what they are missing."