BUSINESS WIRE--Digimarc Corporation (NASDAQ: DMRC) today announced that it has been awarded a new contract by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) for the state’s driver license issuance system. The agreement, which has an initial one year term with six one year renewal options at the State’s discretion, has an estimated value of over $40 million if all renewal options are exercised. Digimarc will partner with DDS to design, develop and implement a new digital driver license program, and will provide ongoing service for the new system to DDS after implementation.
“We are pleased to deliver technologies that will help Georgia DDS validate an applicant’s identity before issuing a driver license or ID,” says Bob Eckel, President, Digimarc ID Systems. “Georgia’s new system will improve the security of their issuance processes and deliver highly secure credentials without compromising the superior customer service that the state’s citizens have come to expect.”
DDS’ goal is to begin issuing new and improved driver licenses and identification cards from a new centralized production facility by July 1, 2009. When the program is implemented, citizens will receive a secure interim document that will be valid for up to 60 days. A permanent card will be produced and mailed to the cardholder within 10 days of applicant approval. Both interim and permanent documents will be produced with cutting-edge technology, making them the most secure that Georgia has ever issued. The new system will be integrated with DDS’ license issuance system and will automate fee processing and daily auditing.
“This new digital licensing system will be customer-service focused, make our roadways safer and address the growing problem of identity theft and fraud,” said DDS Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier.
Plans include constructing a local, central card production facility in Georgia that will allow efficient management of the production and issuance of the highly secure credentials. The permanent cards will have several new security features including a ghost photo image imprinted over vital information to deter alterations, and a tamper-resistant feature which destroys the card upon attempts to alter it, rendering the card useless to those intending to commit fraud.
In addition to producing more secure licenses and IDs, the new digital licensing system (DLS) will greatly improve customer service. Simpler data access and reliable, easy-to-use equipment will enable DDS driver examiners to work more efficiently and process transactions in a more timely manner.
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