The program will integrate NEXT’s large-area fingerprint sensors into MK Group’s next generation smart card products. Vietnam-based MK Group is the leading provider of smart cards and digital security solutions for financial, telecommunication and retail enterprises in Vietnam and one of the largest in South East Asia.

“As the industry moves toward biometric solutions for card-based transactions, companies like MK Group are leading the way toward accelerating this trend,” said Alain Faburel, NEXT Biometrics’ chief sales and marketing officer. “We’re very pleased to have our technology considered for MK Group’s future product lineup. This is yet another strong affirmation of the core advantages NEXT is bringing to the smart card segment with our large-area, flexible sensors.”

MK group intends to include biometric solutions in its future products and has selected NEXT’s One Touch Flex CT-150 sensors for use in trials to evaluate contact-based biometric smart card technology. The NEXT One Touch Flex CT-150 is a flexible, large-area sensor designed specifically for biometric smart cards.

“As a leader in smart card technology, incorporating the security and convenience of biometrics in our products is a natural next step forward for MK Group,” said Nguyen Trong Khang, Chairman and CEO, MK Group. “We look forward to working with NEXT Biometrics on this project to share the benefits of advanced fingerprint sensor technology with our customers.”

NEXT technical and sales teams are currently working closely with MK Group on the biometric smart card project, which is expected to begin in the near future. Today’s announcement marks an additional advance in the pace of smart card deployment following recent news from NEXT regarding availability of a biometric smart card reference design that allows for expedited development of smart card products.