))) Texas Instruments RFid Systems, Plastic Card Systems, Inc., and ITC Systems Join Fargo Technology Alliance

))) PHILADELPHIA, PA (September 9, 2002)

Fargo Electronics, Inc. (Nasdaq: FRGO), today announced that Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) Radio Frequency Identification Systems (TI-RFid™) of Plano, Texas, Plastic Card Systems, Inc. of Northboro, Mass., and ITC Systems of Toronto have joined the Fargo Technology Alliance (FTA), a global technology group that promotes effective, advanced smart card solutions. Based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Fargo creates innovative printing systems that personalize plastic identification cards, complete with digital images and text, lamination, and electronically encoded information.

Alliance members participate in special Technology Showcase events with Fargo's Distribution Partners in conjunction with conferences and trade shows. The fourth Fargo Technology Showcase will take place one day prior to the American Society for Industrial Security 48th Seminar and Exhibition here at the Pennsylvania Convention Center September 10-14.

"The Fargo Technology Alliance now unites 29 smart card solution providers with Fargo's international and domestic network of distribution partners. With the Alliance members – the very best smart, optical, and proximity card application software developers and manufacturers – working together with our global distribution system, Fargo is able to provide a wider range of complete solutions for end users. This generates sales for all companies involved, and builds Fargo's competitive advantage," said Gary R. Holland, president and CEO of Fargo.

"The use of advanced technology, such as smart, proximity, or optical cards, is creating new opportunities for distributed card personalization systems," Holland noted. "The U.S. Department of Defense Common Access Card project, which uses over 1,500 Fargo printers, is a prime example of the implementation of this technology.

Texas Instruments Radio Frequency Identification Systems is a leading developer and manufacturer of field-proven (RFID) solutions used in a broad range of applications worldwide. TI-RFid™ Systems' line of ISO 15693 contactless 13.56 MHz cards and readers brings a new level of security to the access control market with 2,000 bits of memory, faster data transfer speeds, a unique and secure ID and at-the-door read-write programmability.

"The security market is embracing 13.56 MHz RFID technology for access control and we are working with Fargo on an RFID-enabled PVC card printer/encoder that is compatible with our access control as well as our standard card products," said Bill Allen, eMarketing manager for Texas Instruments RFID Systems.

Plastic Card Systems, Inc. offers Gatekeeper Digital Register software for positive employee identification via fingerprint biometrics using contactless smart cards, prox cards, magnetic stripe or bar codes, as well as the TouchStar Time and Attendance Access Control System, which permits one-to-one up to one to 4,000 stored fingerprint templates using PIN, proximity or MIFAREŽ smart cards. "PlastiCard has decided to add value by developing software that does more than create photo ID cards, it can track employee and visitor entrance and exit with biometric exact verification," said Robert P. Axline, Chairman and CEO.

ITC Systems is an international company specializing in integrated transaction control systems since 1984. Typical closed societies utilizing ITC's product lines include public libraries, university/college campuses and food service environments within large corporations or government departments. ITC has developed a line of Unattended-Point-of-Sale (UPOS) Terminals for a multitude of self-serve applications utilizing an e-purse Smart Card as the payment method. Their UPOS Terminals are successfully installed on vending machines, copiers, laundry machines, cash registers and other self-serve charge for use applications. To augment the product offering, ITC also provides back office transaction processing software, pay for print software and meal plan software.

"ITC Systems has offices in Toronto and St. Louis to serve both the Canadian and USA markets, and an extensive network of distributors, dealers, agents and experienced service contractors across North America, said Campbell Richardson, President of ITC Systems.

"In just a few short years, Fargo card personalization technology has expanded from relatively simple systems for door access to much more complex personalization systems for the education, loyalty, healthcare, e-commerce and mass transit markets, just to name a few," according to Kathleen Phillips, Vice President – Marketing. "At the same time, card encoding is evolving from relatively simple bar code and magnetic stripe cards to complex schemes with smart cards, proximity cards, and hybrid cards, which use multiple technologies on a single card."

"The primary goal of the Fargo Technology Alliance is to increase the sale of smart card products, card personalization systems and services. The program is pulling together a wide range of expertise and products," Phillips noted, "providing information on technology and markets, and creating a network of relationships to promote successful business-to-business partnering. Further, the Alliance has quickly become a valuable resource that sets our combined solutions apart from everyone else."