What is a smart card?
A smart card resembles a credit card in size and shape, but inside it is completely different. First of all, it
has an inside -- a normal credit card is a simple piece of plastic. The inside of a smart card usually
contains an embedded microprocessor. The microprocessor is under a gold contact pad on one side of
the card. Think of the microprocessor as replacing the usual magnetic stripe on a credit card or debit
card.
Smart cards are much more popular in Europe than in the United States. In Europe, the health insurance
and banking industries use smart cards extensively. Every German citizen has a smart card for health
insurance. Even though smart cards have been around in their modern form for at least a decade, they
are just starting to take off in the United States.
Magnetic stripe technology remains in wide use in the United States. However, the data on the stripe can
easily be read, written, deleted or changed with off-the-shelf equipment. Therefore, the stripe is really not
the best place to store sensitive information. To protect the consumer, businesses in the U.S. have
invested in extensive online mainframe-based computer networks for verification and processing. In
Europe, such an infrastructure did not develop -- instead, the card carries the intelligence.
The microprocessor on the smart card is there for security. The host computer and card reader actually
"talk" to the microprocessor. The microprocessor enforces access to the data on the card. If the host
computer read and wrote the smart card's random access memory (RAM), it would be no different than a
diskette.
Smarts cards may have up to 8 kilobytes of RAM, 346 kilobytes of ROM, 256 kilobytes of programmable
ROM, and a 16-bit microprocessor. The smart card uses a serial interface and receives its power from
external sources like a card reader. The processor uses a limited instruction set for applications such as
cryptography.
The most common smart card applications are:
 Credit cards
 Electronic cash
 Computer security systems
 Wireless communication
 Loyalty systems (like frequent flyer points)
 Banking
 Satellite TV
 Government identification
Smart cards can be used with a smart-card reader attachment to a personal computer to authenticate a
user. Web browsers also can use smart card technology to supplement Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) for
improved security of Internet transactions. Visa's Smart Card FAQ shows how online purchases work
using a smart card and a PC equipped with a smart-card reader. Smart-card readers can also be found in
mobile phones and vending machines.
These links will help you learn more:
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How Blink Technology Works
How Microprocessors Work
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How Microcontrollers Work
How Credit Cards Work
How Encryption Works
Smart Card Basics
Gemplus Smart Card Supplier
Eurosmart
Smart Card FAQ
Samsung Electronics produces world's highest-capacity smart card
Welcome to Smart Card Basics. This is a sponsored site brought to you by a number of
companies in the smart card industry. We have tried to make this site informative with
out a single perspective or marketing fluff. It is our belief that informed users make
better choices.
Chip card technology is fast becoming commonplace in our culture and daily lives. We
hope that this site will bring you a little closer in your understanding of this exciting
technology and the benefits it can bring to your applications.
If you have specific questions regarding a specific technology discussed below feel free to
send us an email and the appropriate sponsor will respond.
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Smart Card Software
Customer Testimonials
"The wonderful team effort of Outsource2india helped me create new hopes for my industry. With their
professionalism, prompt response and courteous service, I was able to design wonderful and innovative web
applications that will break new ground in the logistics industry. My experience was positive and
unsurpassed. I am looking forward to develop my next project with the wonderful team at Outsource2india.
I truly am grateful for their presence in my professional life...Doing business has never been so efficient and
so pleasant! Thank you to all of you."
CEO,
E-commerce company in US
Smart cards bring security, convenience and ease-of-use to millions of people worldwide. Smart cards
find their place in a wide and growing range of applications from mobile telephony to CRM, loyalty,
and to the development of next generation applications and services. With broad industry acceptance
witnessed by increasing demand, businesses and service providers are constantly on the look for
innovative smart card based solutions. Smart cards are proving to be of great value in applications like
Electronic cash, Security, Access control, Transportation and RFID / IC Tags.
Smart Card software in India
India has established credibility globally for its excellent resources and skills at very competitive
prices. Information technology companies in India understand the industry need for diverse
applications and offer a wide range of smart card based IT services and solutions. These encompass
development of Chip Operating Systems (Chip OS) and applications for specific usage
Smart card software solutions
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Security solutions for electronic banking platform using 3DES and PKI cryptography, ensuring
secured financial transactions
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Security solutions for mobile payments using SIM/WIM cards
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Campus card solutions used to store and manage identification, access control, attendance
monitoring, marks card and e-cash based payment information
Security solutions using smart card as a copy protection device for software
Solutions for distributors and retailers of consumer goods
Solutions for vehicle dealers to keep track of all services and repairs done for a vehicle, along with
loyalty points accrued
Smart Card software services
Indian service providers offer Smart Card software services in designing, developing and testing of
solutions using Smart Cards and systems that meet specific customer requirements on diverse
hardware and software platforms. Some areas of expertise include
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Chip operating systems
Loyalty applications
Electronic cash
Security and access control
Campus card solutions
Transportation applications
Automatic fare collection
Fleet management
RFID / IC Tags
Benefits
Indian service providers enable Corporations to reduce time-to-market and provide higher level
services. They overcome challenges by delivering strategic services and successfully implementing
Smart Card software solutions.
Please contact us here with your outsourcing requirements.
Related Services
Outsource Custom Software Development Services to O2I and get access to expert services at
a cost-effective price.
Outsource Software Testing Services to O2I and benefit from high-quality services within a fast
turnaround time.
Outsource Maintenance Services to O2I and ensure that your software products have a
competitive edge.
Outsource Infrastructure Management Services to O2I for IT infrastructure that is reliable and
available with maximum uptime.
Outsource Web Enabling Legacy Applications Services to O2I and convert your legacy
applications to web-interface applications.
Outsource Software as a Service to O2I and enable your users to access your software online.
Outsource Open Source Solutions to O2I and benefit from minimized development cost and
development time.
Outsource Content Management Systems to O2I and competently manage the content on your
websites.
Outsource Customer Relationship Management to O2I and benefit from an enhanced customer
experience.
Outsource Product Development Services to O2I and benefit from competitive and costeffective services.
Outsourcing Software Development
Customer Testimonials
"The wonderful team effort of Outsource2india helped me create new hopes for my industry. With their
professionalism, prompt response and courteous service, I was able to design wonderful and innovative web
applications that will break new ground in the logistics industry. My experience was positive and
unsurpassed. I am looking forward to develop my next project with the wonderful team at Outsource2india.
I truly am grateful for their presence in my professional life...Doing business has never been so efficient and
so pleasant! Thank you to all of you."
CEO,
E-commerce company in US
More and more Fortune 500 companies are outsourcing software development to India. A strong
supply of high-class programming talent, favorable government and tax incentives, and the ability to
work efficiently with international time zones are some of the reasons why India is an attractive
destination for offshore software development. By outsourcing their software development needs,
companies can focus more on their core competencies and rely on service providers to manage
critical, non-core processes for them.
Indian Software Companies - Transforming your Business
Indian service providers are well versed in web and software development. The kinds of solutions
offered are not just limited to mere execution of your requirements. Creativity, talent, and expertise
allow Indian software developers to suggest ways in which you can transform your business. In some
cases, if you choose, they can even define your business model. They adopt a customer centric
approach where they make it their job to listen, to research, and to understand the requirements, so
that they can provide you with truly unique and effective solutions. A flexible outlook makes them
open to creating and developing any kind of website or web application.
Outsourcing Custom Software Development
A successful outsourcing relationship is based on clear communication and transparency of action and
through this Indian service providers strive to make your outsourcing experience a comfortable one.
They focus on creative, scalable solutions that reflect your "personality", operational needs, and the
success of your online and offline marketing strategy. An application can be created from the ground
up, providing you with exactly what you need, not just what is available.
There is a focus on thorough business analysis to ensure that the solutions developed match the
enterprise requirements.
Software Development Expertise
Outsourcing software development to India is not a new practice and as Indian developers have
worked with all sorts of requirements they have developed expertise with different kinds of
technologies. All custom web and software development projects are developed using industry
standard tools and are validated and tested for browser compatibility. They guarantee that any
custom web application developed is guaranteed to work with your existing systems. Stringent
project quality measures are put in place to ensure that all applications and projects deliver
guaranteed results on time and within proposed budgets.
The addition of multimedia enhancements like online messaging and conferencing services, bulletin
boards, searchable databases, content management, online learning tools and courses, product
catalogs, etc can make a website more interactive. Whether you need a dynamic, database-driven
website or a fully functioning e-commerce web site, Indian software developers have the creative
talent and technical expertise to accommodate your company's web development needs.
Outsource IT services to O2I for custom development of robust, feature-rich applications in
pharmaceutical software, logistics software and EHR software.
Outsource your software development to India
Indian companies have done diverse work and cater to customers from all over the world. From
Fortune 500 companies to individual entrepreneurs, from those who wish to establish an online
presence and create more channels for their business to those who require complex web sites that
offer online transactions and more interactivity, Indian developers have catered to them all.
Outsource your web and software development to India and get access to some of the best expertise
and talent. Indian developers help you make informed decisions that will solidify your business or
presence on the web and allow your web venture to expand and grow. By focusing on your web site
and your customer they aim to make your experience a positive one.
Please contact us with your outsourcing requirements.
Read more about outsourcing healthcare software services to O2I.
Find out how an efficient recruitment management software can increase your
organization’s productivity.
Related Services
Outsource Custom Software Development Services to O2I and get access to expert services at
a cost-effective price.
Outsource Software Testing Services to O2I and benefit from high-quality services within a fast
turnaround time.
Outsource Maintenance Services to O2I and ensure that your software products have a
competitive edge.
Outsource Infrastructure Management Services to O2I for IT infrastructure that is reliable and
available with maximum uptime.
Outsource Web Enabling Legacy Applications Services to O2I and convert your legacy
applications to web-interface applications.
Outsource Software as a Service to O2I and enable your users to access your software online.
Outsource Open Source Solutions to O2I and benefit from minimized development cost and
development time.
Outsource Content Management Systems to O2I and competently manage the content on your
websites.
Outsource Customer Relationship Management to O2I and benefit from an enhanced customer
experience.
Outsource Product Development Services to O2I and benefit from competitive and costeffective services.