Multicard announced that it is providing a worldwide multi-function identity credential service for Henkel, a global consumer products company. Multicard's platform will enable a single ID credential in the form of a contactless smart card to be used for physical access to buildings, time and attendance tracking, cashless payments in the cafeteria, as well as PKI (public key infrastructure) applications to access the company's computer network. Multicard is providing ongoing project management services for the program, as well as ID card issuance.

Based in Düsseldorf, Germany, Henkel operates worldwide in three business areas: Laundry & Home Care, Cosmetics/Toiletries and Adhesive Technologies. Henkel's globally recognized brands and technologies such as Purex/Persil detergents, Schwarzkopf, Dial soap and Loctite adhesive hold leading positions in the international consumer and industrial markets.

Michael Strenger, responsible for Site Security for Henkel Düsseldorf, said, "Carrying one multi-purpose card is more convenient for employees, but it is the security that the new system provides that makes it particularly useful for Henkel. Rather than having to issue and manage separate credentials for each secure application, such as physical and logical access, we can now ensure that all credentials for an employee are issued or revoked at the same time. In addition, Multicard has helped us to lower the costs of our credential logistics by providing us with professional card fulfillment services, which gives us more flexibility in how we manage the day-to-day issuance."

Another important criterion for Henkel was Multicard's ability to encode, personalize and deliver any number of cards for employees, from one to several thousand, cost effectively and within a short turnaround time.

Juergen Mueller, managing director of Multicard Germany, stated, "As an ID systems integrator, Multicard is focused on providing our customers with tailored solutions that address their needs, both now and in the future. We are proud to be chosen by Henkel to develop and implement a system that allows them to meet some ambitious goals: a fast and efficient card order process, high flexibility in multiple card variants, and high quality of the credentials - all provided through Multicard's professional card issuance service."