EPCglobal Selects VeriSign to Provide Root Directory for EPCglobal Network

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. & MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 13, 2004--

Global Alliance to Leverage Robust, Secure Network Directory Service to Continue driving RFID Growth in the Supply Chain

“We are extremely pleased to have been selected to play a critical role in the EPCglobal Network, which is poised to be the enabling infrastructure of the next generation of supply chain management solutions”

EPCglobal, an international standards organization, has taken a significant step forward in the commercialization of radio frequency identification (RFID) and electronic product code (EPC) technology by selecting VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq:VRSN), to provide the Object Naming Service (ONS) root directory for the EPCglobal Network, it was announced today.

"To more effectively track pallets and cases of products throughout the supply chain, the EPC tag, when linked to the ONS, creates a unique identifier for each container," said Margaret Fitzgerald, President of EPCglobal. "When looking for a partner to build this root directory, it was clear VeriSign, based on its background as the leading domain name registry for the millions of Internet addresses in use around the globe, was the perfect partner for the job."

Linking a pallet or case of products through a unique number on the EPC tag is essential in ensuring true visibility of information about items in the supply chain, creating efficiencies and cost-savings for manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers alike.

ONS is a major component of the EPCglobal Network. Coupled with the other components under development, the EPCglobal Network will serve as an open, global system that will allow trading partners to markedly improve their ability to track and share supply chain information. Benefits of the EPCglobal Network will include its ability to: -- Enable real-time, automatic location of cases and pallets in the supply chain -- Increase responsiveness to customer needs -- Provide increased visibility at all points in the supply chain -- Facilitate an open, collaborative environment with trading partners

Current EPC technology is limited to use at the case and pallet level.

"We are extremely pleased to have been selected to play a critical role in the EPCglobal Network, which is poised to be the enabling infrastructure of the next generation of supply chain management solutions," said Stratton Sclavos, CEO of VeriSign. "Our ATLAS platform is a proven infrastructure for highly scalable directory services, and provides the ideal solution for the volume of information requests the EPCglobal Network will support as the use of EPC technologies grows."

"With the EPCglobal Network, all supply chain members can take advantage of one of the most highly anticipated technological revolutions for business in a generation," Fitzgerald added. "EPCglobal's selection of VeriSign to design and operate the authoritative root for the EPCglobal Network was a natural choice."

EPCglobal, a joint venture between EAN International and the Uniform Code Council, Inc., brings a wealth of knowledge to the supply chain management environment. Over the last several decades the EAN.UCC System orchestrated the successful implementation of "bar code" technology. Bar codes were, until today, the defacto supply chain management solution. The alliance between EPCglobal and VeriSign, the leading provider of critical infrastructure services for the Internet and telecommunications networks, is the continuation of a revolution in supply chain management. The alliance is a combination of decades of proven expertise and experience in supply chain management and managing the complex systems of the .com and .net Domain Name System (DNS).

For more information about the EPCglobal Network visit http://www.EPCglobalinc.org/ or http://www.verisign.com/nds/directory/epc/

About EPCglobal

EPCglobal, Inc., a joint venture between EAN International and the Uniform Code Council (UCC), is a not-for-profit organization entrusted to drive the global, multi-industry adoption and implementation of the EPCglobal Network(TM). EPCglobal leverages the nearly thirty year heritage of EAN International and the UCC in successfully partnering with industry. The neutral, consensus-based, standards organization aims to make organizations more effective by enabling true visibility of information about items in the supply chain by developing and managing standards for the EPCglobal Network. For more information on EPCglobal visit www.EPCglobalinc.org or www.EPCglobalUS.org.

About VeriSign

VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), delivers critical infrastructure services that make the Internet and telecommunications networks more intelligent, reliable and secure. Every day VeriSign helps thousands of businesses and millions of consumers connect, communicate, and transact with confidence. Additional news and information about the company is available at http://www.verisign.com.

Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause VeriSign's actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, VeriSign's limited operating history under its current business structure; uncertainty of future revenue and profitability and potential fluctuations in quarterly operating results; the ability of VeriSign to successfully develop and market new services and customer acceptance of any new services; the risk that VeriSign's announced strategic relationships may not result in additional products, services, customers and revenues; increased competition and pricing pressures; and risks related to potential security breaches. More information about potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial results is included in VeriSign's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. VeriSign undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release. VeriSign is a registered trademark of VeriSign, Inc. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.