AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News:

Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 - GTO), the world leader in digital security, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of O3SIS from its founders and funds managed by Duke Forest. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The personal data of each mobile phone subscriber has become a key social feature of the subscription model. Such data, that includes personal contact, photos, mail and other multimedia content has created and reinforced an emotional bond between the end-user and its phone. It is also a real asset for the mobile network operator in its drive to develop its relationship with its subscribers. Personal Data Management is one of the most successful mobile services currently deployed in the wireless ecosystem.

O3SIS AG is a leading provider of carrier grade Personal Data Management solutions to Mobile Network Operators. With more than one billion personal data records managed and more than 300 devices supported, including popular devices such as the iPhone, the G-Phone and Blackberries, O3SIS’ software suite allows consumers on the move to access and share any kind of personal data - contacts, email, multimedia content - wherever its location in the mobile equipment or in the cloud. O3SIS also provides the “push email” technology used to notify and transfer email to any mobile subscriber’s device regardless of the storage place. O3SIS, which is based near Cologne, Germany, counts over 20 blue-chip customers including tier-one operators, retailers and large enterprise customers.

Commenting on the transaction, Oliver Piou, Gemalto Chief Executive Officer noted “With more than 70 references, Gemalto is already the leading provider of phonebook backup solutions to mobile operators around the world. With this combination, we expand Gemalto’s offering in our rapidly growing software and solutions business, bringing our customers the first fully integrated personal data management solution across mobile and fixed line networks”.

Dirk Dörre, co-founder and CEO of O3SIS added “We have worked successfully in the past with Gemalto on an OEM basis, integrating our handset capability with Gemalto’s knowledge of the SIM. As part of Gemalto, we really look forward to leveraging Gemalto’s commercial presence around the globe to accelerate the growth of the business”.

O3SIS, which employs approximately 60 people, will be fully integrated into the Gemalto Mobile Communications segment over the coming months, and will be forming the core of Gemalto’s personal data management offer to mobile network operators. By combining O3SIS’ handset synchronisation to Gemalto’s SIM card and USB dongle-based software solutions, as well as its infrastructure for operated services, Gemalto will be able to deploy a superior and highly differentiated turn-key offer to mobile network operators. Under the operator’s brand, this multi-faceted range of services will enable end-users to share, store or back up personal data such as their phonebook, calendar, photos, or other multimedia data from either fixed or mobile devices and to leverage this data through value-added communication solutions such as push email and mobile instant messaging.

Philippe Schuit, Managing Partner at Duke Forest Capital and member of the O3SIS Supervisory Board commented “We are very pleased with this outcome. At Duke Forest we specialize in boosting the growth of technology companies, focusing on sales, go-to-market and governance. Over the years we have taken an active role in coaching the management in positioning the company for growth. We are satisfied to see that O3SIS was able to build a robust, carrier-class, highly-scalable personal data management and synchronization platform allowing data to be updated real-time over-the-air. O3SIS’ blue chip customer list is testimony to the quality of the product and the management team, and this transaction demonstrates Duke Forest’s ability to create strategic value and realise a successful outcome in a challenging environment”.

About Gemalto

Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO) is the world leader in digital security with 2008 annual revenues of €1.68 billion, and 10,000 employees operating out of 75 offices, research and service centers in 40 countries.

Gemalto is at the heart of our evolving digital society. The freedom to communicate, travel, shop, bank, entertain, and work—anytime, anywhere—has become an integral part of what people want and expect, in ways that are convenient, enjoyable and secure.

Gemalto delivers on the growing demands of billions of people worldwide for mobile connectivity, identity and data protection, credit card safety, health and transportation services, e-government and national security. We do this by supplying to governments, wireless operators, banks and enterprises a wide range of secure personal devices, such as subscriber identification modules (SIM) in mobile phones, smart banking cards, smart card access badges, electronic passports, and USB tokens for online identity protection. To complete the solution we also provide software, systems and services to help our customers achieve their goals.

As the use of Gemalto’s software and secure devices increases with the number of people interacting in the digital and wireless world, the company is poised to thrive over the coming years.

For more information please visit www.gemalto.com.

About Duke Forest Capital

DUKE FOREST is an independent investment firm managing growth capital and providing operational expertise to small and medium sized technology companies that operate in growth sectors and are located in North-West Europe. DUKE FOREST complementary team of professionals put their strategic and analytical expertise, operational experience and transactional know how at work for portfolio companies and funds, through hands-on management advice and pro-active execution support. The overall focus centres on “special situations” where Duke Forest develops solutions for growth, expansion and/or buyout opportunities. Furthermore, DUKE FOREST provides advisory services as well as fund and portfolio management services to institutional and corporate investors, organizes and manages secondary transactions and spins- or carves-out business positions.

DUKE FOREST manages and advises several investment funds that currently hold approx. 30 technology companies.

For more information, please visit www.dukeforest.com