Smart card is the latest
revolution in the card
technology. It is a credit card
sized plastic card with an
embedded microchip. In simple
words, it is a mini-computer,
which can be carried in the
pocket of the cardholder. Smart
cards can be read and updated
using devices called smart card
readers/ terminals. Smart cards
have memory ranging from a few
bytes up to 64 Kilobytes.
There are broadly 3 categories
of smart cards-- Contact Smart
Cards, Contact less Smart Cards,
Combo Smart Cards. Contact smart
cards need to be inserted into
the card reader/ terminal.
Whereas contact less smart cards
are required to be flashed /
brought in proximity of the card
reader.
The biggest advantage of a smart
card is that it can be used as a
multi-application card in an
offline environment. One smart
card alone can be used for the
purpose of Identity, Attendance,
Access Control, Canteen card
etc. General applications of
smart cards are - Identity card
(Tamper proof), Attendance Card,
Access Control Card, Canteen
Card, Library Card, Loyalty
Card, E – Purse card etc.
Smart cards can be used to carry
data/ value and can be updated
from time to time. Smart cards
work in an offline environment
and thus do not require
expensive online communication
infrastructure.
We have given the smart card
solution to West Central
Railway, Northern Railway,
Western Railway and North
Western Railway for their Crews.
