Trintech Showcases OpenPOS(TM), The World's First High Security POS Terminal Architecture Using Embedded Linux and ARM Technology

Trintech Unveils PayWare OpenPOS(TM) at CeBIT 2002, an Innovative Multi-Application Platform That Dramatically Reduces Transaction Times And Shortens Development Cycles

HANNOVER, Germany, March 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Trintech Group Plc (Nasdaq: TTPA; Neuer Markt: TTP), a global provider of secure electronic payment infrastructure solutions, today unveiled PayWare OpenPOS(TM), the world's first open source POS terminal architecture designed to run a range of secure PIN-based card payment applications. Trintech plans to target OpenPOS(TM) at the estimated 18 million POS terminals installed today worldwide that are due to be upgraded to incorporate new technologies, including chip.

The new technology, showcased at CeBIT 2002, will be available to create powerful product suites -- including in-store applications, such as PINPads and PIN-enabled POS terminals, and applications in unattended environments, such as kiosks and ATMs. Trintech will make the products and technology modules available to Value Added Resellers (VARS), system integrators and OEM partners.

At Cebit (stand no. A24/35 Hall 18RG), Trintech will be demonstrating how OpenPOS(TM) can dramatically reduce the transaction time of secure PIN-based smart card payments. The demonstration will take place using the German debit card scheme, electronic cash, which uses smart card technology and requires the verification of the cardholder's PIN number. OpenPOS(TM) performs the encryption tasks required by the debit card scheme in milliseconds, significantly shortening the overall transaction time for cardholders at the point-of-sale. The higher encryption requirements of the EMV standard that are expected to be fully adopted by in Europe by 2005 will drive the demand for faster technology such as OpenPOS(TM).

In introducing the new technology, Trintech has leveraged its 10 years experience in high security and tamper proof PINPads to ensure the technology meets the highest security requirements. OpenPOS(TM) is currently undergoing a certification process with T-Systems ISS GmbH (previously called Debis), an internationally recognized security certification institute.

The OpenPOS(TM) modules exhibited at CeBIT are deployed within a range of concept devices including standalone PINPads, POS terminals with integrated PINPads and screen-based terminals. OpenPOS(TM) will also be incorporated into specific elements of Trintech's product set following close analysis of customer requirements and will be actively marketed to Trintech's growing international community of VARs.

"The move to embedded Linux is a very significant development for the POS industry as it signals a move away from proprietary and incompatible vendor and industry standards to a more widely available, open source development environment," said John Harte, EVP and General Manager of Trintech's ePOS Division. "OpenPOS(TM) is an industry first that will significantly reduce transaction times providing multiple advantages to our customers and partners."

A broad range of open source software is immediately available for the OpenPOS platform. In particular, the embedded Linux real-time operating system from Lineo Inc., will allow Trintech's OpenPOS(TM) technology to overcome the real-time limitations of standard Linux faced by VARs and system integrators.

About OpenPOS(TM)

OpenPOS(TM) utilizes the 32-bit ARM(TM) processor that supports a wide range of interfaces such USB and Ethernet. It also supports an extensive range of LCD displays -- from small graphic LCD displays, to touch screen and TFT displays. The new OpenPOS(TM) platform supports the use of multi-media cards and compact flash, allowing memory to be scaled from 4MB to over 64MB. Its in-built Memory Management Unit also provides a very reliable and dynamic system for application fire-walling. The use of ARM as a platform means that software code is compatible across a range of different ARM processors, including ARM10, Strong Arm and X-Scale.

About Lineo, Inc.

Lineo®, Inc. provides embedded systems and real-time solutions that cover the full spectrum of embedded development, including operating system software, host development environments and professional services. Lineo distributes vertical solutions (Smart Handheld, Residential Gateway, Digital Media/TV) that allow OEMs to create smart embedded devices and systems. While helping OEMs to reduce system requirements, per-unit costs and time-to-market. Lineo's key product lines include: Embedix® SDK (a fully featured and integrated embedded developer tool chain), Embedix® (embedded Linux system software for MMU-less and MMU-full processors), Embedix® BridgeWorks(TM) (operating systems and tools for multiprocessor device Support and legacy code migration) and RTXC(TM) Quadros(TM) (a highly configurable microprocessor and DSP real-time operating system). Contact Lineo at http://www.lineo.com , via e-mail to info@lineo.com or by calling 801-426-5001.

About ARM

ARM® is the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions. The company licenses its high-performance, low-cost, power-efficient RISC processors, peripherals, and system-chip designs to leading international electronics companies. ARM also provides comprehensive support required in developing a complete system. ARM's microprocessor cores are rapidly becoming the volume RISC standard in such markets as portable communications, hand-held computing, multimedia digital consumer and embedded solutions. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com .

About Trintech

Founded in 1987, Trintech is a leading provider of secure electronic payment infrastructure solutions for card-based transactions for physical world commerce, eCommerce and mobile commerce. The company offers a complete range of payment software products for credit, debit, commercial and procurement card applications, as well as being a world leader in the deployment of payment solutions for Internet commerce that are fully SSL and SET(TM) compliant. Trintech's range of scalable open systems architecture solutions for UNIX® and Windows NT(TM) platforms covers consumer, merchant and financial institution requirements for physical payments and the emerging world of electronic commerce. Trintech can be contacted in the U.S. at 2755 Campus Drive, San Mateo, CA 94403 (Tel: 650-227-7000) and in Ireland at Trintech Building, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18 (Tel: 353-1-207-4000). Trintech can be reached on the Web at http://www.trintech.com .

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, relating to, among other things, future applications, functionality and performance of OpenPOS(TM), Trintech's marketing strategies for OpenPOS, and the timing of the adoption of the EMV standard. Any "forward-looking statements" in this press release are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the growth of the eCommerce and mCommerce markets, the availability of financial resources to continue investment in research and development and sales and marketing programs, Trintech's ability to develop, market and sell eCommerce and mCommerce software, the market acceptance of the SSL or SET(TM) standards for eCommerce payment transactions, and its ability to effectively respond to future changes in the ePayment software market. Actual performance may also be affected by other factors more fully discussed in Trintech's Form 6-K for the quarter ended October 31, 2001 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.