Monday, December 24, 2001		Article

Smart career in smart cards
Sumesh Raizada

IMAGINE THE plight of those who have to carry more than one card in order to make cash transaction, purchases or for personal identification. These are credit, debit or ATM cards having a magnetic strip, where personal information is mentioned. A pre-assigned code word is stored on the card, which verifies the authenticity of the cardholder. Similarly, personal identity card issued to the employees of a firm or government department where photograph along with signature and employee detail is mentioned on the card to validate the identity of a person. Then, there are driving license card, passports, travel tickets, parking tickets, which have to be handled by frequent commuters or travellers. Not only are these cards inconvenient to handle but there is also a risk of theft and misuse by others.

In order to ease out the mental agony of a user, smart cards have been developed that are made up of plastic and consist of a microchip inside them. The security system is inbuilt to safeguard the identity of valid user. This microprocessor stores all relevant information and processes them as and when required. Immense career opportunities now exist for IT professionals in the smart card industry, which is growing at an enormous pace throughout the world. The employment scope is in the field of design and development of user-specific or application-based microprocessors and smart cards, as well as their corresponding hardware machines. Career potential is also available for designing relevant software and programs to suit the specific requirements of smart card users and service providers. Professionals are also employed for marketing and maintenance of these smart cards.

Most important component of Smart Card is microprocessor chip that consists of integrated circuits. Inserting into the card reader or a computing device activates the card. The information or data is read, recorded or updated on to the card as per the application. Smart cards are both contact as well contactless type. Contact type cards require supply voltage to activate the circuit and has input / output ports for data transmission. Contactless type cards work on the radio waves and can activate or operate from a long distance, though these are expansive compared to other type. A person who is already late to catch his flight, can check-in while on the way itself, with the help of contactless type of smart cards. Similarly, the regular train commuters can get their tickets verified at the exit without inserting it into any verification machine.

Smart Cards are mainly categorised as Intelligent card, Memory card, Hybrid card and Combi card. An Intelligent card has a CPU that can store and access information as well as make decision if required. New information can be added or deleted and therefore a single card can be used for multiple applications say ATM, shopping, payment of electricity/ telephone bills, driving license, train or air ticket. Memory cards are mainly non-secured and only store information. These are for single-user and single application purpose say pre-paid telephone cards, vending machine, traveling ticket and usually operate on a password during transaction.

Hybrid Card contains magnetic strip and bar coding, apart from microprocessor chip. Thus, a single card can access different hardware and card processing machines placed at different locations like banks, airports, shopping complexes, ATM. etc. It contains cardholder's photograph and signature in order to secure their identity. Combi cards consists of a contact chip that makes a electrical contact with the card reader for transferring information as well a contactless chip which has antenna coil inside it for communicating through transmitter or receiver.

In India, smart cards are gaining wide popularity and are being implemented in various business transactions. In IIT, Mumbai, smart cards have been issued to the students for making virtual payment in canteens, libraries, etc. within the campus. Similarly Petro cards have been issued by petroleum companies for the convenience of automobile owners while making purchases of fuel. Virtual calling cards are available for the telephone users for making telephone calls from or to any place. Similarly there is a Vasool Card, which is an e-commerce transaction card and work on the basis of user ID and personal identification number (PIN)

Some of the leading manufacturers and vendors of smart cards are Schlumberger, ACG, Netsmart Technologies, SCM Microsystems, Interlott Technologies, Datacard etc. In India, ET&T is working on a project for development of software and networking solution for Smart cards applications.

Those interested in a career in smart card industry have an opening in design and development of smart cards and related hardware. Engineering graduates in computer sciences or electronics are best suited for the job. The programmer and software developer who prepares application-specific programs for the card reader machine are usually MCA or software engineers. The sales professional who markets smart cards are mostly MBA or graduates with exposure to computers. These professionals are employed by smart card manufacturers, microprocessor chip manufacturers, hardware and card reader manufacturers. Smart card service providers say banks, Airlines, post offices, etc. also provides placement of professionals at their premises.

These professionals are also employed by consulting companies and work on specific smart card application projects like railway ticketing, passport verification, etc. The professionals identify business goals and standards and subsequently advises card companies on latest technologies. They also determine the business potential for financial service organisations and also provide consultancy on applications, technologies, and partnerships.

the smart card professionals are involved in chip personalisation, implementation procedures, transaction authorisation and routing, settlement procedures, funds flow, encryption authorization, marketing analysis, operating procedures, smart card support, etc. most of the smart card work on Java and C-based languages hence proficiency in these is essential for software developer.

Motorola, is providing embedded electronic and integrated communications solutions globally. Its Worldwide Smartcard Solutions Division (WSSD) offers multi-application smart card system solutions including smart cards, their application development, system integration and operations management. Its M-Smart(TM) smart card product, platforms of cards, card operating systems, card readers and application development, provide vast range of flexibility and functionality. The professionals therefore have employment prospects in the company at its offices at various locations for development of client based smart card solutions and its implementation or installation.

Smart cards are having vast applications in areas like transport, access control in ATM or banks, personal verification and identification in government and secret installation, hospitals, billing counters, etc. This creates a wide career opportunity for experienced professionals in the maintenance or updation of smart card software as well as hardware. They work at client premises or at locations, where card readers are installed for the purpose of MIS, service support to users, etc.

Smart card professionals have to undertake task of maintaining, supporting, planning, designing and managing the card issuance environment. On the other hand, service and sales professionals need to have an in-depth understanding of card issuance systems, applications and solutions to offer the best possible services to customer. They are also required to provide cost-effective solution for producing cards for the client organisation.