LAS VEGAS, NV, Jan. 7 /CNW-PRN/ - Today at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the Mini ATM™ electronic cash product received an Innovations 99 Award. Innovations 99 honors the very best in design, engineering and software, and is intended to recognize outstanding achievement in consumer technologies.

The Mini ATM device was developed in partnership with Aastra Technologies Limited, and utilizes the leading-edge hardware and embedded Java™ software technologies developed by AudeSi Technologies Inc..

The Mini ATM is a standalone device that gives consumers secure, convenient access to home banking, including electronic cash withdrawals and transfers between personal smart cards, all while in the privacy of their own home. Remotely upgradeable, new and future applications like electronic coupons, ticketing, and loyalty programs can be securely loaded onto the device and the smart card, over standard phone lines or the Internet.

On December 22nd of 1998, Royal Bank announced their intentions to deploy the ATM-like device into the Canadian Mondex electronic cash trial scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 1999, in Sherbrooke, Quebec.

The Mini ATM™ product can be viewed at Aastra Technologies' booth in the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC 1652), or at the Innovations booth in the Sands Expo and Convention Center (No.21860). Additional information can be obtained through the contact information listed below.

AudeSi Technologies Inc. is a privately held high technology start-up company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. AudeSi develops, markets, and licenses java based embedded appliances and subsystems that facilitate multi-application smart card applications. For further information, visit the website at www.audesi.com.

Aastra Technologies Limited develops, manufactures and distributes telecommunications equipment. Aastra offers a full line of products ranging from Caller ID adjuncts to full-featured communications systems. Aastra products are available through a majority of the telecommunications companies in North America. Aastra has the exclusive retail market license to use the ``BELL® Equipment - SONECOR'' trademark for their North American retail distributed products.

AudeSi and the AudeSi Logo are the Trademarks of AudeSi Technologies Inc.. All other company, brand, or product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.