SchlumbergerSema Introduces .NET Card Technology to Bring Smart Card-Enabled Security to the Multimedia World

Paris, November 5, 2002 – SchlumbergerSema, a business segment of Schlumberger Limited, today demonstrated .NET Card, an innovative smart card platform technology that brings smart card security to new market segments for multimedia, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), digital rights management solutions, next generation mobile messaging and home entertainment applications. The SchlumbergerSema .NET Card technology enables easy integration with all types of multimedia applications, and complements the company’s existing portfolio of smart card platforms that will serve as the core technology for multimedia network services through various connected devices such as MP3 systems, game boxes, PDA’s, PC’s, cable and satellite TV systems, and, potentially, next generation phones.

The technology platform supports digital rights management for games, music and video. It also facilitates roaming applications, such as multimedia messaging combining sound, text, pictures and small video sequences, as well as email downloads and secure authentication for private networks. The .NET Card platform will allow developers to build quick, easy and secure links between different types of multimedia devices and applications, facilitating the process of authentication and connectivity necessary to support the most sophisticated digital technologies.

“The .NET Card technology provides a secure platform to connect the various players in these new markets, and offers the security and control that will be vital for the commercial implementation of next generation entertainment services,” said Jorgen Rasmussen, president, Cards, SchlumbergerSema. “This development is an important element of the SchlumbergerSema vision for a new dimension of smart card applications, and reinforces the SchlumbergerSema commitment to open platform technologies.”

The advanced infrastructure behind the .NET Card technology incorporates a service layer designed to enable a range of applications to be automatically downloaded and installed onto the smart card. The platform also has multi-language functionality for maximum flexibility and ease-of-use within the developer community. The platform will allow cross functionality between applications and services developed in any language supported by the .NET framework, including Visual Basic® .NET, C# and J#. SchlumbergerSema has licensed an ECMA-335 standard named Common Language Infrastructure (CLI) from Hive-Minded as a component for its .NET Card platform.

Drawing on more than 20 years experience in pioneering smart card innovation, SchlumbergerSema — which has been named the world’s leading provider of microprocessor smart cards by Gartner Dataquest** — has sold more than 2.6 billion smart cards to date. SchlumbergerSema has a proven track record providing customers with a wide range of business solutions, services and products that improve the competitive advantage of its customers.

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*Mark of Schlumberger.

Visual Basic is a trademark of Microsoft systems. ** Gartner Dataquest “Worldwide Chip Card Market Share, 2001: Card Vendors and Semiconductor Vendors”, C. Hirst, April 2002.

About SchlumbergerSema

SchlumbergerSema is one of two business segments of Schlumberger Limited, a global technology services company. With more than 30,000 employees serving customers in 65 countries, SchlumbergerSema aggregates IT consulting, systems integration, managed services and related products to the oil and gas, telecommunications, energy and utilities, finance, transport and public sector markets. Leveraging the Schlumberger DeXa* Suite of Services, it also provides IP network connectivity, information security solutions, distributed computing support services and data center hosting services. In 2001, Schlumberger revenues were $14.3 billion.

Arnaud Malherbe
Fleishman-Hillard Herald
Tel : +33 1 47 42 92 76
Email : amalherbe@herald-com.fr