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.

Black and white photo of two men in suits with ties, both with moustaches, portrayed frontally against a light background.

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.

Product photo of a beige DESKO
Beige DESKO security keypad with integrated card reader, with ID cards and credit cards on a light-coloured background.

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.

Historical aerial view and exterior view of an early DESKO company building in a rural setting during the construction phase.
Employee at the check-in counter accepts a traveller's passport, identity check at the airport.

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.

Light-coloured security keyboard from DESKO with integrated card reader, robust input device for sensitive applications.
Historic DESKO verification terminal with keypad and printer, reads ID cards and cards for identity checks.

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.

DESKO document reader with inserted German passport, device for automated passport and ID verification.
Image collage with reception area, office and conference rooms, communal kitchen, company overview board and exterior view of an office building.

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.

Two DESKO document readers for the automated verification of passports and ID cards, compact devices for ID authentication.
Passenger aircraft on the apron of an airport, boarding via stairs, aircraft taking off in the background at sunrise.

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.

Two DESKO document scanners side by side, left with operating graphic, right with passport inserted for inspection.
Image collage with modern coworking reception, work and meeting zones, exterior view of the office tower and employees in office corridors.

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.

DESKO company building with new building in the background, building site with scaffolding and construction machinery on the company premises.

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.

Robust, waterproof keyboard that is surrounded by splashing water and shows its resistance to liquids.
An employee checks a man's ID documents at his desk using a document scanner and verification software.

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.

A DESKO document scanner reads an ID card that is inserted from the side; the ID card photo is visible.
A compact black DESKO document scanner stands on a table, the illuminated scanning surface is visible from above.

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.

An older man in a suit smiles in a modern office corridor, the DESKO logo can be seen in the background.

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.
Company History