Munich, Germany – 18 January 2021 – Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX / OTCQX: IFNNY) is replacing the employee ID cards at its headquarters ‘Am Campeon’ with the world’s first solution that combines highly secured office building access with a flexible, contactless Mastercard payment function. For the integration of the payment functionality directly on the smart card, Infineon is cooperating with Mastercard, PayCenter GmbH and petaFuel GmbH. The Munich-based semiconductor manufacturer is responsible for managing and issuing the employee ID card. The innovative concept of the so-called Campeon Card can also be applied to other companies.
“Infineon set standards for a modern and creative working environment very early on with the campus architecture at its headquarters. We continue to do so with the new employee ID cards,” said Thomas Rosteck, President of Infineon’s Connected Secure Systems division. “Contactless technologies are convenient and hygienic which has never been more important than today to protect us from the Corona pandemic. But contactless smart building solutions that combine multiple functions in one card are also becoming increasingly important in the long term.”
With the Campeon Card, employees can enter company buildings and the workplace, make cashless payments or transmit their digital business card using NFC. For this purpose, a company ID card with Mastercard payment function was developed for the first time that complies with the EMV* standard used internationally. As a result, the cards not only work at coffee machines or company restaurants, but also outside the company premises at all 70 million Mastercard acceptance points worldwide. In addition, guests can also use their private bank cards via the EMV infrastructure at the site.
“I am pleased that we have jointly succeeded in bundling several functions on one card. For employees, this is practical and convenient. The open payment system offers the advantage that the employee ID card can also be used for payment in everyday life. The VIMpay app can also be used to quickly and easily load money on the cards,” said Peter Bakenecker, Division President for Germany and Switzerland at Mastercard.
Chip security and open technology standards for smart access solutions
At the heart of the multifunctional corporate ID cards is Infineon’s SECORA™ Pay solution. It allows to quickly and efficiently produce certified payment cards according to EMV standards. The CIPURSE™ functionality integrated into the chip allows secure access to company buildings. Besides access solutions with high security requirements, CIPURSE is also used in many innovative transit, access and smart city systems.
Payment service provider petaFuel is responsible for integrating the Mastercard payment function. Employees can use their mobile payment app VIMpay to digitally link their bank account to their company card for direct charging via their computer or cell phone. Mobile payments by using the cell phone is also possible. Special charging terminals at the company premises are no longer necessary. The VIMpay app also provides a transparent overview of all transactions and instant spending control.
“Together with Infineon and Mastercard, we have developed an innovative and multifunctional corporate card with contactless payment functionality,” said Ludwig Adam, CTO of petaFuel. “By connecting to Mastercard and the existing infrastructure, our mobile payment app VIMpay offers an ideal platform for companies and public authorities to introduce individual smart card applications with payment features and to modernize their building infrastructure.”
*The EMV® chip specifications define globally valid requirements for chip-based payment solutions and readers. They enable secure contact-based and contactless applications and the use of new payment technologies. See also www.emvco.com