HMV Selects Trintech's Smart 5000 Solution to Facilitate Chip and PIN Card Transactions


DUBLIN, Ireland and LONDON, Oct. 04, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The UK's Leading Music, DVD & Games Specialist Rolls out Trintech's EMV Card System Following Acquirer Accreditation.

Trintech (Nasdaq:TTPA) (Prime Standard:TTP), a leading provider of transaction reconciliation and payment infrastructure solutions, today announced that HMV -- voted Retail Specialist Multiple of the Year and Best Music Retail Chain -- has selected Trintech's EMV certified Smart 5000 card system, following acquirer accreditation, to facilitate the acceptance of Chip and PIN enabled debit and credit cards.

HMV, the UK's leading specialist retailer of music, DVD and games products, is currently rolling out approximately 2,000 Smart 5000 card systems throughout its 190 stores across the UK and Ireland. The implementation will be completed by the end of October, in line with the UK's mandate to migrate and implement Chip and PIN by January 2005.

HMV conducted a comprehensive testing and evaluation procedure involving three competing vendors. HMV opted for Trintech's Smart 5000 card system, the industry's fastest Chip and PIN hardware solution. The Smart 5000 was selected by HMV because of its ability to integrate seamlessly with HMV's existing IBM POS solution. Featuring a hybrid card reader that accepts both chip cards and magnetic swipe cards, the Smart 5000 also has a stylish, intuitive design, large display and aesthetic appeal that is in keeping with the busy and modern environment of the HMV retail stores.

"HMV required a leading Chip and PIN partner with a strong market reputation and proven, reliable hardware" said Steve Consalvi, Finance Systems Manager at HMV. "Selecting Trintech has helped us to introduce Chip and PIN with minimal impact to the business".

"We are delighted HMV selected Trintech's Smart 5000 solution" says Eamon Keating, General Manager of Trintech's Retail Division. "Our recognized leadership within the electronic payment market, combined with our accreditation process experience provides HMV with a fast and efficient accredited Chip and PIN solution, that will help combat card fraud when the UK mandates a shift to Chip and PIN in January 2005".

About PayWare Smart 5000

Building on over a decade's experience of delivering high security terminals, Trintech's new PayWare Smart 5000 is an EMV certified terminal that can be used in any type of POS system. It is an ideal device for EMV upgrade of integrated multilane Electronic Point of Sale systems. The Smart 5000 is based on Trintech's innovative OpenPay architecture consisting of a fast and powerful ARM processor and open source operating system (Linux). This means that the Smart 5000 has one of the highest chip transaction processing speeds in the industry and is an ideal terminal for applications such as loyalty.

About HMV

HMV is the UK and Ireland's leading specialist retailer of music, DVD/Video, computer games and related products. The company operates around 200 stores in key shopping locations nationwide, equating to over 1million sq. ft. of trading space, as well as a successful online store at www.hmv.co.uk.

HMV's very first store was officially opened in July 1921 by the celebrated British composer, Sir Edward Elgar on London's Oxford Street. Since that time, the chain has become symbolised throughout the world by its iconic 'His Master's Voice' dog and trumpet trademark.

HMV is part of HMV Group plc, which as of April 2004 operated 366 HMV stores in eight countries across Europe, North America and Pacific Asia as well as 193 Waterstone's stores principally in the UK and Ireland. All of the Group's operations, both in the United Kingdom and internationally, are wholly owned.

The Group was listed on the London Stock Exchange on 15 May 2002, having been formed in March 1998 through the acquisition of Waterstone's from WH Smith Group plc and HMV and Dillons from EMI Group plc.

About Trintech

Trintech is a leading provider of transaction reconciliation and payment infrastructure solutions to retailers, financial institutions, payment processors and network operators globally. Built on 17 years of experience, Trintech's solutions manage each area of the payment transaction cycle from authentication, authorization, settlement, dispute resolution and reconciliation - enabling its customers to reduce transaction costs, eliminate fraud, minimize risk, maximize cashflow and increase profitability. Trintech can be contacted in Ireland at Trintech Building, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18 (Tel: +353 1 2074000), in the US at 15851 Dallas Parkway, Suite 855, Addison, TX 75001 (Tel: +1 972 701 9802), and in the UK at 186-192 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 1AF (Tel: +44 (0) 1707 827000). www.trintech.com.

Press Contact Details

Trintech Group Plc

Ireland: Breda Leonard, Director Marketing Communications, Trintech Group Plc. T: +353 87 205 4997. Email: breda.leonard@trintech.com UK: Jackie Seear. Email: jackie@the-verbal.co.uk T: 01932 224411. M: 07739 170663

HMV

Gennaro Castaldo. Email: gennaro.castaldo@hmv.co.uk

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