SKIDATA: A 30-Year Success Story

SKIDATA 30-year anniversary to be marked by all-year tour of events.

They were loud and rocking, epoch-making and downright revolutionary: the Seventies of the last century made headlines and produced legends such as Donna Summer, David Bowie and the Rolling Stones.

It was a momentous era, a time when the spirit of freedom and revolution reigned free - even in Austria, where in 1977 a photo engineer named Guenther Walcher founded a firm he called SkiData - a name inspired by his invention, an automated ski ticketing system. Three decades have passed since, which have seen the humble Austrian startup evolve into a globally represented world leader in access control and ticketing solutions.

To mark the occasion, SKIDATA has planned a series of events at fairs and exhibitions around the world under the motto

30 Years On_Tour

At Interalpin 2007 (April 18-20, Innsbruck/Austria) and Parkeervak 2007 (April 18-20, ’s-Hertogenbosch/Holland), the 'stars' of SKIDATA - the latest line of products and services - will take to the stage for the first time. Visitors to these exhibitions will have the opportunity to learn how SKIDATA has harnessed worldwide trends in web service and data management and turned them into an exciting new range of products.

The On_Tour will continue throughout the year, with scheduled stops at various exhibitions, including

Sportaccord (April 23-27, Beijing/China)

NSAA (May 6-9, La Quinta, CA/USA)

IPI (May 20-23, Tampa, FL/USA)

Parkopolis (June 20-21, Paris/France)

and many more

Milestondes

·                          Polaroid representatives Leopold Lutz and Guenther Walcher come up with an idea for replacing the existing hand-written ski passes with professional ones that would support automated processing. The idea for SKIDATA is born.

·                          First cash register for ticket sales: an electromagnetic stamping device for automated ticket labelling

·                          Launch of System 320, consisting of a cash computer and automated card issuing device

Cash Computer KC 320

·                          National industrial holding Constantia acquires an interest in SKIDATA

·                          SKIDATA introduces first thermoplast mag stripe card system (KC 340), which soon replaces systems with barcoded tickets

·                          First associations of ski operators ('ski pools') begin to form

·                          SKIDATA achieves breakthrough with new system for accurate accounting among pools

·                          By 1986, SKIDATA's market share already exceeds the 80% mark

Entry into the world of mag stripe cards with KC340

·                          Development of first wireless (RFID, i.e. radio frequency identification) data carrier in co-operation with EM Microelectronic-Marin (a SWATCH Group enterprise)

·                          remiere of "SKIDATA™ Keywatch" (electronic watch with wireless ticket functionality)

·                          Expansion of business activities into solutions for parking management

·                          Introduction of System 430 launches a highly successful product career

·                          SKIDATA™ develops its first own RFID chip; this is smaller land cheaper than conventional chips

·                          Launch of the KeyCard as handy wireless data carrier

·                   For the first time ever in a parking system, SKIDATA™ System 440 supports payment and gate passage at car parks with credit cards

·                   Munich Airport: first project for car parking management at a major international airport

·                   Launch of Event Access solution for trade fairs and exhibition centres

·                   First installation of Event system in Dusseldorf

·                   International breakthrough: expansion of cooperation with Swatch

·                   Swatch acquires exclusive license from SKIDATA for manufacturing and worldwide sale of RF-based SWATCH Access watches

·                   Introduction of System APT 450 as 'flagship' in car parking segment (more than 2,200 installed worldwide by 2005)

·                   French smartcard specialist Gemplus acquires majority stake in SKIDATA.

·                   Work finishes on development of Ski System 370 (which enjoys great success to this day); the system triggers a sustained upward trend in contactless technologies for ski access

·                   SKIDATA enters access systems for stadia and arenas with first installation of new Event System 550.

·                   SKIDATA is acquired by Swiss-based Kudelski Group, a specialist in conditional access systems, primarily for pay TV applications.

·                   Launch of new software platform handshake™ for professional stadium and arena management

·                   SKIDATA introduces new reader for Event and Ski sectors: Compact Reader processes paper-based and RF-based tickets of various formats

·                   First handshake™ installations at Globen Arena (Sweden)

·                   Parking System SPT 400, the 'system for limited requirements' goes into serial production

·                   Successful system launch is followed by installations at hotels, hospitals, shopping centres, etc.

·                   Introduction of new ticket processing device Coder Unlimited

·                   Introduction of revolutionary "Open Gate" feature for FREEMOTION™ ski access gate

·                   Introduction of new SKIDATA™ product design with pay-on-foot machines Easy.Cash and Credit.Cash at Intertraffic 2006

·                   With an installed base of around 4,500 systems SKIDATA is represented in over 25 countries worldwide