Unicard Press Release

New web-based smart card management solution cuts the cost of entry for Local Authority schemes

*rewrites the business case for evolving citizen card schemes
*frees scheme partners to focus on new services and benefits rather than technology

Ferndown,UK,11 August 2004 - Smart card scheme integration specialist Unicard Ltd has launched a new release of its web-based card scheme management solution, UNICARD. Designed for fast and simple implementation, this uniquely scalable solution enables Local Authorities to implement the low-cost entry level solution they need to make a sound business case for citizen card schemes.

UNICARD already supports Local Authorities' schemes across the UK, including established schemes with several 100,000 cards, and a number of regional schemes are in the process of implementation. This latest release will enable many more Authorities to accelerate their plans for delivering smart card benefits to their citizens.

UNICARD's scalability allows Local Authorities to 'start simple' using a contactless card platform costing under £1 per card and covering the essential services such as Libraries, Leisure and transport. They can then grow their schemes with more complex cards to encompass all the benefits of integrated multi-issuer, multi-applications as defined by the National Smart Card Project, and embrace regional and sub-regional smart card initiatives incorporating areas such as Higher/Further Education and Transport.

At the heart of the UNICARD solution is the platform developed for the EU-funded SmartCities project in Southampton, UK. It employs state-of-the-art web technology with full back-office integration to provide distributed card and cardholder management facilities, and is backed by Unicard's unrivalled expertise in implementing multi-application, multi-issuer smart card schemes.

"There's no argument about the benefits that smart card schemes can deliver - but Local Authorities have had to ensure that their implementation will deliver and sustain best value
services to our citizens", comments Rob Gair, IT Strategy & Planning Consultant at Southampton City Council. "Unicard's solution has given us all the functionality we required since we first implemented it early in 2003 and its intrinsic flexibility means we can develop and grow smart services, as requirements evolve and we introduce new players to the scheme."

"Our solution provides a ready-to-use framework that instantly resolves the major issues in bringing a scheme to the citizen", adds Peter Verrept, Director of Unicard. "Its proven technology dramatically reduces the implementation time and complexity, and it greatly reduces the cost of deploying an entry level smart card scheme. New service providers and card types can then be added as budgets allow, widening the citizen access to services."

UNICARD is designed to free authority staff from the technical complexities of multi-application, multi-issuer operations, and allow them to focus on adding value with the local functionality that will ultimately determine the success of their schemes.

This combination of a proven solution platform, secure and effective scheme architecture and specialist expertise enables Local Authorities and their IT partners to reduce the time and cost involved in bringing creative schemes to life. They can also plan with confidence, because the flexibility and scalability of the solution means that new scheme participants can be accommodated easily, as the need arises.

Personal, portable and totally secure, the smart card is universally recognised as the key to dramatically simplifying citizen access to new services like loyalty, e-purse and secure physical and network access, as well as permitting existing service providers such as leisure centres, libraries, colleges and transport companies to tailor their services for specific citizen groups. Incorporating multiple applications from different issuers on one card makes excellent sense for participants, who can share infrastructure costs, and for citizens, who have only one card to manage. For local authorities, however, dealing with multiple applications and multiple issuers presents major technical challenges.

The Unicard solution addresses these challenges with a versatile open-platform architecture, and delivers full smart card and cardholder management functionality either in the form of software products that authorities can run themselves, or as managed services. Open architecture and third party integration modules allow for simple incorporation of additional functionality.

UNICARD incorporates modules for centralised scheme management, and for distributed functions spanning registration - including the capture of biometric data for ID schemes, management and evolution of cardholder and service details; the preparation and management of cards and applications, either printed locally or by a bureau, including loading new applications or products on existing cards over the internet; integration and synchronisation with third party systems over manual, operator based, or B2B interfaces; card and letter printing; and scheme administration.