David Bellm

January 30, 2014

2 Min Read
SAP, Nokia, and Giesecke & Devrient establish new brand-protection business

SAP AG, Nokia Corporation, and Giesecke & Devrient GmbHhave announced plans to form a new company, named "Original1," todeliver unique product authentication and anti-counterfeiting services acrossthe globe. These services will be aimed at protecting companies and consumersin a wide range of industries from product piracy and counterfeiting, therebymaintaining brand values, revenue potentials and profitability of brandedgoods.

 

"Counterfeiting is a worldwide problem that isincreasing and affecting many successful companies in all industries,"said Alsdorf. "Today, more than ever, companies need to combatcounterfeiting before it's too late, when their company livelihood is at stake.Original1 will provide a one-stop shop for companies seeking secure servicesthat protect them from counterfeiting, safeguard the value of their brands, andhelp them develop a more transparent way of working to become moresustainable."

 

Original1's services will rely on SAP technology andsolutions, while Nokia will deliver mobile authentication software to allowbusinesses to follow a branded product's entire life cycle, from a factory tothe end customer, using mobile devices. G&D's contribution to Original1will consist of security solutions for the entire value chain. This comprisesuser authentication, end-to-end encryption of the information flow and databaseencryption. The solution covers the complete sales and logistic supply chain byprotecting products and related product packaging by tagging them withintelligent, tamper-proof serialized product codes.

 

"We see a big business opportunity in brand protectionservices," said Antti-Jussi Suominen, general manager, Commerce, CorporateDevelopment, Nokia. "Nokia started a mobile phone-based productauthentication business program in 2006; this joint venture is a logical stepin evolving that business. We will provide Original1 with the mobilityexpertise and related technology and believe that mobility will bring a totallynew paradigm to brand protection."

 

"The brand protection system relies on the trust,customer and companies have in it," said Dr. Kai Grassie, group seniorvice president and head of the New Business division, G&D. "Giesecke& Devrient is a partner of trust for government authorities and companieswith special security requirements. This comprises areas like banknote printingand processing, as well as security products and services for the mobilecommunication, payment and the IT security industry. G&D will contributeits extensive expertise in high-level security technology to Original1."

 

Original1 will be headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany,and headed by Claudia Alsdorf, currently vice president of SAP Research. Thenew company is expected to begin operations before the end of 2009, subject tothe approval of the responsible anti-trust authorities. The announcement wasmade at SAP® TechEd 2009, being held October 27-29 in Vienna, Austria.

 

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