VISG Viisage Technology (MM)

Viisage (Nasdaq: VISG), a leading provider of advanced technology identity solutions, today announced that six state driver service agencies have selected the Viisage AutoTest(TM) solutions to improve the accuracy and security of applicant testing, identity proofing, ID issuance and customer service in the driver's licensing process. The added safety measures in these processes are expected to help move the states toward compliance with the REAL ID Act, which aims to create standards for security among the states driver's licenses. The contract awards follow the December 2005 acquisition of the AutoTest Division of Openshaw Media Group by Viisage. The six contracts total more than $2.3 million. The selection of Viisage's solutions demonstrates the growing state level demand to provide better service to U.S. citizens through greater convenience in accessing state driver's licensing services, advanced identity vetting in the proofing process, and increased security in the issuance process. "These wins validate the superior quality of the products we offer and underscore our ability to provide value to our customers at all levels," said Bernard Bailey, president and CEO of Viisage. "We acquired AutoTest because we recognized the potential it offered the market - the ability for states to use the solution to streamline their driver's license application process, while enhancing security and convenience for their customers and meeting federal compliance mandates." The contracts recently awarded to Viisage include key wins from the following major U.S. states: -- Alabama, Mississippi, and Nebraska driver services agencies are utilizing the Viisage portable testing solutions to turn sites outside the departments into secure testing facilities for driver's license applicants. Applicants may take their driver's knowledge test on portable computers that are connected wirelessly to the state's central database, transmitting data to and from the database in real-time. This increased flexibility in the testing process ensures a high level of security from fraud, abuse, and cheating, while enabling the departments to decrease crowds and lines in the departments' licensing offices. -- Kentucky and Colorado are expanding their installations of the Viisage secure knowledge testing solutions based on the use and success of their existing AutoTest solutions. -- Arkansas State Police is implementing the Viisage AutoTest fixed base solution for their driver testing and driver's licensing process. "We are delighted to offer our citizens a more convenient and efficient testing solution using AutoTest," said Major Roscoe Howell of the Alabama Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division. "Security is a top concern in the drivers licensing process, and this solution enables us to provide both the highest levels of security in testing and enhanced customer service through more local testing sites." AutoTest is a flexible, Web-based testing solution that delivers and administers randomized identity and domain knowledge tests. The knowledge testing software automatically randomizes questions, ensuring that no two applicants receive the same test. Further, the software automatically scores tests, saving time and money, while reducing human error that may occur in manually scored tests. This addition to the Viisage identity solution platform further enhances the company's end-to-end solution offerings particularly in the areas of identity proofing prior to issuing a secure credential. Applicant testing and identity verification has become increasingly important under the REAL ID Act as the driver's license has become a critical identity document for many organizations. About Viisage Viisage (NASDAQ: VISG) delivers advanced technology identity solutions for governments, law enforcement agencies and businesses concerned with enhancing security, reducing identity theft, and protecting personal privacy. Viisage solutions include secure credentials such as passports and drivers' licenses, biometric technologies for uniquely linking individuals to those credentials, and credential authentication technologies to ensure the documents are valid before individuals are allowed to cross borders, gain access to finances, or be granted other privileges. With more than 3,000 installations worldwide, Viisage's identity solutions stand out as a result of the company's industry-leading technology and unique understanding of customer needs. Viisage's product suite includes IdentityTOOLS(TM) SDK, Viisage PROOF(TM), FaceEXPLORER(R), iA-thenticate(R), ID-GUARD(R), BorderGuard(R), PIER(TM), HIIDE(TM), AutoTest(TM), FacePASS(TM) and FaceFINDER(R). This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this document and those made from time to time by Viisage through its senior management are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to the future events or financial performance discussed in this release, based on management's beliefs and assumptions and information currently available. When used, the words "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "project", "should", "expect", "plan", "assume" and similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements concerning future plans or results are necessarily only estimates and actual results could differ materially from expectations. Certain factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among other things, the size and timing of contract awards, performance on contracts, performance of acquired companies, availability and cost of key components, unanticipated results from audits of the financial results of the Company and acquired companies, changing interpretations of generally accepted accounting principles, outcomes of government reviews, developments with respect to litigation to which we are a party, potential fluctuations in quarterly results, dependence on large contracts and a limited number of customers, lengthy sales and implementation cycles, market acceptance of new or enhanced products and services, proprietary technology and changing competitive conditions, system performance, management of growth, dependence on key personnel, ability to obtain project financing, general economic and political conditions and other factors affecting spending by customers, and the unpredictable nature of working with government agencies. In addition, such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the following risks: that the merger with Identix will not close, that the regulatory or shareholder approval will not be obtained, that the closing will be delayed, that customers and partners will not react favorably to the merger, integration risks, the risk that the combined companies may be unable to achieve cost-cutting synergies, and other risks described in Viisage's and Identix' Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC in connection with the transaction, Viisage's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and Identix' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2005 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended September 30, 2005, December 31, 2005 and March 31, 2006 under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." Viisage expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.