Trek Scales New Heights with its Latest Swipe Technology

Mainboard listed engineering solutions provider, Trek 2000 International Ltd ("Trek") today unveiled its new SWIPE technology. Embedded with higher security features relative to its well-known Trek ThumbDrive Touch ("TD Touch") - a biometric ThumbDrive that was introduced in January 2002, the new technology is incorporated in its latest ThumbDrive Swipe ("SWIPE"). During the outbreak of SARS last year, the TD Touch played an important role as a key to turn on the Infrared Fever Sensing System (IFSS) machine. Through the utilisation of the TD Touch, the developers of IFSS machines successfully protected the intellectual property over the software.

The two key features of the SWIPE technology are its embedded data encryption and embedded cryptography functionalities. These features are new and not available in the TD Touch. Hence they will provide higher levels of security relative to the TD Touch. To date, cryptography is found mainly in SMARTCARDs. This adaptation of cryptography in the SWIPE is the first amongst Trek's family of ThumbDrive solutions.

Reflecting its name, the SWIPE will require the user to swipe his or her finger across the sensor for verification to access data stored in the device. With the SWIPE, the user has the option of either allowing access via finger print verification or password verification.

The SWIPE is designed with the busy executives and professionals in mind. Weighing less than 20gm, the SWIPE measures 65mm(L) x 25mm(W) x 10mm(H), making it a compact, portable and secured storage device. Especially for people on the move, the security features embedded in the SWIPE offers a high level of comfort to owners in the event of loss or theft of the device. Data stored in the SWIPE will not allow unauthorised data access, particularly if the device requires finger print verification.

Following the trends of the modern day portable and personal IT devices, the SWIPE will come in a variety of colours and motifs to suit the lifestyles and preferences of different consumers. Compared to the previous TD Touch the Swipe incorporates higher sensitivity and reliability capabilities.

"ThumbDrives not only are poised to replace floppies, more importantly, as personal IT devices, they are fast becoming personalised fashion items. Like mobile phones, we see the SWIPE catering to both the needs of the consumer for an IT and a fashionable lifestyle product." Said Mr Henn Tan, Chairman of Trek 2000 International Ltd,

Today, the mobile phone has transcended from a luxury to a necessity. Data storage devices like SWIPE will soon follow the trend as consumers look to carry important data with them in the most secure, convenient and fashionable way.

The Swipe is patented under the umbrella of the TD Touch patent that was approved in April 2003 under patent registration number: 88933. The ownership of patent also puts the onus on the solution developer to ensure that the patented solution meets certain quality expectations.

Like all its cousins in the ThumbDrive family, the SWIPE is a USB enabled device and for computers that operate on Windows ME and above, this device automatically enters into a plug and play mode. Coupled with a higher transfer speed at 17MB/s read and 16MB/s write capability, the SWIPE is an extremely user friendly and high speed secure data storage device.

International IT customers who have previewed the SWIPE have indicated interest for this solution. The product is targeted to reach the market by the first half of 2004 but is not expected to significantly impact the performance of Trek in the current financial year.

The SWIPE will debut on 18 - 24 March 2004 at CeBIT Hannover, Germany. It will be featured with other solutions at the following booths:
Booth 1: Hall 20, Stand A21
Booth 2: Hall 2, Stand B02

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