History
From Germany to the entire world
Since the foundation of DESKO in 1991, the company has grown considerably.
Find out about the most important milestones in the company’s history here.
1991
Bayreuth-based DESKO GmbH is founded by Werner Zahn and his partner Bruno Geyer in Creußen, Upper Franconia. The name DESKO is an acronym of the terms Daten – Eingabe - Systeme and Konzepte.
1992
DESKO's success story starts with the introduction of innovative data security solutions based on magnetic stripe cards.
1993
Product launch of innovative keyboards with integrated magnetic stripe readers for the banking sector.
1995
Expansion of the company and relocation to the company's own, newly built premises on Bayreuth's "Technology Hill" in Wolfsbach.
1996
DESKO goes international: innovative product solutions conquer the global flight and travel sector.
1997
Expansion of the product range: introduction of the first DESKO passport scanner based on Optical Character Recognition.
2002
DESKO launches its own system for payment transactions.
2004
The first innovative full-page scanner is developed. It is able to create an image of the complete page of an ID document under different light sources.
2006
Due to the continued growth of the company, the sister company DESKO LC was founded in Florida, USA.
2006
Barcodes are gradually replacing magnetic stripes on airline tickets, leading to the development and product launch of innovative boarding gate readers based on highly efficient barcode technology.
2007
DESKO becomes a technology pioneer and partner of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for innovative barcode technology.
2012
Introduction of the DESKO PENTA Scanner®. The modular, expandable full-page scanner platform can be used in a wide range of applications, from airline/airport operations to border control.
2013
Due to the continued success of the company, the sister company DESKO Pte. Ltd. is founded in Singapore.
2015
Change in management: DESKO co-founder Bruno Geyer leaves the company and Alexander Zahn is appointed as the new Managing Director.
2016
The company building in Bayreuth is modernized and expanded to a total of 2000 sqm.
2016
Product launch of a new generation of DESKO swipe readers: the water and dust-protected NEPTUN chrom keyboard with integrated reading slot.
2018
Product launch of the ID Analyze software, DESKO's own application for analysing and checking ID documents and driver´s licences.
2021
Product launch of the DESKO ID-1 GO® scanner for the detailed inspection of ID documents in credit card format.
2022
A new generation of the DESKO PENTA scanner family enters the market: the PENTA Scanner 4X raises ID card verification to a new level of security.
2024
Change in company management: Alexander Zahn is dismissed as Managing Director. Company founder and owner Werner Zahn takes over as sole Managing Director.
Currently, DESKO is a leading manufacturer of solutions for:
- Travel
- Security & Public Institutions
- Self service
- Banking
- Hospitality
DESKO cooperates with leading research institutions and universities in Germany on the subject of optoelectronics and image processing. DESKO adopts and refines the basic developments and results of its cooperation partners and then incorporates them into a wide variety of DESKO applications and solutions.
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