Nokia, business software provider SAP and security-focussed technology company Giesecke & Devrient have confirmed that their joint venture, Original1 GmbH, began operations on 1st February. Original1 was announced in October last year and aims to deliver product authentication and anti-counterfeiting services worldwide. It's being run by Claudia Alsdorf, former vice president of SAP Research.
Original1 will protect products and product packaging by tagging them with intelligent, tamper-proof codes ('smart barcodes'). Original1's services will rely on SAP technology and will use Nokia's mobile software to allow businesses to follow a branded product's entire lifecycle from factory to end user. G&D will contribute security solutions for the entire value chain, including user authentication and data encryption.
When Claudia Alsdorf announced the plans last year she said "Counterfeiting is a worldwide problem that is increasing and affecting many successful companies in all industries. Today, more than ever, companies need to combat counterfeiting before it's too late, when their company livelihood is at stake. Original1 will provide a one-stop shop for companies seeking secure services that protect them from counterfeiting, safeguard the value of their brands, and help them develop a more transparent way of working to become more sustainable."