Bellevue-based Saflink, which develops software for biometric devices and smart cards, plans to announce a partnership today with Microsoft that would bring its computer-based software to handheld devices.

The software derives from Saflink's application that is currently being used by the Department of Defense's Common Access Card program that authorizes users' computer access. The new software would allow access to be extended to mobile devices like Pocket PCs.

Also involved is Axcess Technology, which is supplying the smart card readers for mobile devices.

Currently, about 600,000 government employees are using the desktop version, said Brian Wilchusky, Saflink's director of marketing.

"This is (Saflink's) first foray into mobile solutions. It is our corporate commitment to get involved with this by leveraging our previous work."

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