Vanco EVP
Atlanta-based Vanco Payment Solutions has ankled Sandra Blair to lead its product development and IT. Blair is the former Head of Payments Practices for Alvarez & Marsal.
Apriva
CardWeb.com’s CardData database of Company Profiles today features Apriva.
Pattie Money
CardWeb.com’s CardExecs database of payments industry movers and shakers today features Pattie Money, senior vice president of human resources of Mercury.
EPX Names a Director of Bank Alliances
DE-based Electronic Payment Exchange has appointed John Coleman as
Director of Bank Alliances. Coleman will provide EPXâs innovative
payment processing services to banks and Independent Sales Organizations
(ISOs) in the U.S. and internationally.
EPX will offer “BuyerWall” payment processing platform to
banks and ISOs. BuyerWall is the patent-pending cardholder data
protection system exclusively offered by EPX that enables merchants to
eliminate data breach liability, while also allowing the merchant to
retain complete control of the customer experience. For banks and ISOs,
BuyerWall will provide cardholder data security protection to their
customers and clients, while dramatically reducing their time and
expense associated with achieving Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data
Security Standards.
Peppercoin Lands a Sales/Marketing Exec
Massachusetts-based Peppercoin has hired Charles Caserta, former president and co-founder of IFS International, as VP of sales and market development. Caserta has more than 20 years of sales experience. Prior to joining Peppercoin, Caserta served as executive vice president of business development and chairman of the board at Thornebrook Associates, a strategic consulting firm specializing in financial services and technology. He also served as president and CEO of Livewire, a leader in kiosk solutions technology, where he increased sales 380 percent within the first eight months. Caserta earned a BA in English Literature from Villanova University.
Italians to be Offered Some Axalto MagIC
Axalto has introduced its GPRS portable point-of-sale terminal to the Italian market. The new “MagIC X1000 GPRS” is currently under pilot with the Societa’Centrale Monetica Interbancaria, CIM Italia SPA with an installed base of 200,000 terminals across the country. Axalto’s “MagIC X1000 GPRS” terminal hosts the Italian “HGePOS” application and can be used anywhere in Italy. It is EMV Level 1 and Level 2 approved, runs the ABI EMV application, and can handle 250 transactions without recharging.
MAGIC TERMINAL
Axalto has introduced its GPRS portable point-of-sale terminal to the Italian market. The new “MagIC X1000 GPRS” is currently under pilot with the Societa’Centrale Monetica Interbancaria, CIM Italia SPA with an installed base of 200,000 terminals across the country. Axalto’s “MagIC X1000 GPRS” terminal hosts the Italian “HGePOS” application and can be used anywhere in Italy. It is EMV Level 1 and Level 2 approved, runs the ABI EMV application, and can handle 250 transactions without recharging.
TRM CEO
OR-based TRM Corporation has named its chairman Kenneth Tepper as President & CEO following the resignation of President Dan Spalding. Tepper first joined TRM in 1998 as a member of the Board of Directors. He has spent much of his professional career in the banking industry and served most recently as President & CEO of USABancShares. Currently, Tepper serves on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, and is former Finance Chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican Committee during the Ridge Gubernatorial Campaign.
FSU Microsoft Smart Cards
Microsoft and smart card innovator CyberMark announced they will jointly work with several customers in the United States to pilot Microsoft’s newest entry to the smart card market, Microsoft Smart Cards for Windows. CyberMark cards enable students on college campuses and employees in corporate facilities to replace cash at numerous points of sale, access physical buildings and computer networks, and link to a wide range of banking, telephony, and customer loyalty functions. Several of CyberMark’s key customers — including Florida State University, Villanova University, and Huntington Bank — have agreed to pilot the CyberMark card utilizing the new Microsoft operating system.
“Microsoft’s entry to the smart-card market validates the market for stored-value cards in the United States and represents a breakthrough in cashless payment technology on an international scale,” said Thomas K. Burke, vice president for CyberMark. “As the market leader in North American stored- value systems, we anticipate rapid acceptance of Smart Cards for Windows in our market segments and look forward to a very successful pilot program.”
CyberMark has been a pioneer in the smart card industry, ascending to its industry leading position by providing customers with multiple application smart cards to solve basic business needs. Microsoft’s entry to the market is seen by many as a significant milestone in the history of the smart card industry. “For CyberMark,” says Mr. Burke, “Microsoft’s involvement provides this industry a partner with unequaled credentials and resources.”
“Smart Cards for Windows was developed to assist organizations such as CyberMark in delivering more economical smart card solutions while supporting evolving industry standards,” said Philippe Goetschel, Microsoft’s Smart Cards for Windows product manager. “The system takes full advantage of proven software development tools such as Visual Basic, enabling applications to be developed quickly to meet business needs. CyberMark will play an important role in establishing Smart Cards for Windows in several North American markets, starting with our pilot systems in key CyberMark accounts in higher education and corporate markets.”
CyberMark () develops smart card solutions for education, corporate, financial, government and entertainment markets. One-half million individuals utilize CyberMark’s multi-application smart cards at installations including the University of Toronto, the University of Kansas, University of Arizona and more than a dozen additional sites. Cardholders conduct smart card based payments using their cards at locations displaying the SmartWorld logo. SmartWorld is a registered trademark of CyberMark.
TRANZ Enabler Wireless to Launch
U.S. Wireless Data Inc. (OTCBB:USWDA) announced today that it is proceeding with the national launch of its TRANZ(TM) Enabler wireless transactions processing technology.
The company has concluded the initial training of more than 400 GTE Wireless field representatives and GTE Wireless is now able to market the TRANZ Enabler in all 22 of the metropolitan markets in which they maintain CDPD coverage.
U.S. Wireless Data announced in August 1997 a joint marketing and operating agreement with GTE Wireless, the wireless business unit of GTE Corp., to distribute USWD’s TRANZ Enabler wireless credit card processing system using GTE’s cellular CDPD network. USWDA has hired more than 40 sales and marketing representatives across the United States and plans to hire an additional 60 sales representatives over the next four months.
U.S. Wireless Data also disclosed a small sampling of businesses and merchants that have begun clearing their credit card and POS transactions with the U.S. Wireless Data TRANZ Enabler. They include: the Utah Jazz (an NBA franchise), the Dallas Stars (an NHL franchise), the Houston Astrodome, AMPCO Systems Parking, Villanova University, Image Impact (the organizer of the Boston Marathon), Fan Fare Enterprises (an organizer of auto racing events), Will Page Wireless (29 locations, Tampa, Fla.), and the City of Largo, Fla.
Commenting on the national launch, Clyde Casciato, U.S. Wireless Data vice president of Sales and Marketing, commented, “We are extremely encouraged with our progress on all fronts. We were able to complete the GTE Wireless training program in two months, which is three months ahead of our business plan model. The creation of our nationwide marketing team is also ahead of schedule, and I am very enthused with the quality of this team.
“High profile merchants are beginning to choose our wireless POS solutions, and we anticipate that significant companies, including Fortune 100 companies, will be added to our list of clients in the near future. We have executed CDPD air time agreements with GTE Mobile Communications, AT&T Wireless Services and Bell Atlantic/NYNEX Mobile and we are now able to offer our wireless transactions processing solutions in all regions in the continental United States.”
USWD’s proprietary enabling technology, TRANZ Enabler, converts a merchant’s existing dial-up TRANZ VeriFone credit-card terminal into a high-speed wireless terminal. It provides merchants with a faster and more cost efficient way to transact business. The wireless transaction takes three to five seconds, vs. 11 to 20 seconds with a dial-up service.
Going wireless means the merchant no longer needs a dedicated or shared telephone line to carry transaction traffic, thereby eliminating delays, busy signals and the cost to install or pay for monthly telephone service.
U.S. Wireless Data Inc. has developed, tested and is now delivering compelling new proprietary products, programs and standards to the transaction processing and credit card industry which utilize Cellular Digital Packet Data (“CDPD”) wireless networks. USWD delivers the fastest and most cost-effective transaction processing solution to retail merchants in the United States today — wired or wireless.
USWD will generate recurring revenue from every transaction processed by merchants who utilize the company’s CDPD wireless technology. The company’s strategy will be to deploy its technology through marketing and partnership agreements with major cellular phone companies, regional and community banks, select ISOs, and its own sales force.
60,000 Gemplus Cards for Univ of Toronto
Gemplus Corporation (Gemplus) today announced that it will supply 60,000 Gemplus microprocessor smart cards for the University of Toronto’s closed system that is being developed by CyberMark. The cards will be used for patron identification in the library network, cashless payment of library fees and food services, and card-based control and payment for photocopiers, computers, and laser printers.
The University of Toronto system brings the total number of cards supplied by Gemplus to closed systems to more than 1 million.
CyberMark provides consulting, integration, card issuance, and application development services for higher education, corporate campuses, government entities, stadiums, and resorts.
In addition to the cards it will be supplying to CyberMark for the University of Toronto, Gemplus has supplied more than 120,000 smart cards to other universities in North America. This list includes other CyberMark clients such as Florida State University, Villanova, Skidmore College, Ohio Dominican College, and Guilford College as well as other vendors’ clients including Eastern Washington University, University of Pembroke, and Kansas State University.
In the retail market, Gemplus has supplied more than 150,000 cards for loyalty and/ or stored value applications.
In the government arena, Gemplus has supplied close to 200,000 smart cards for closed systems at Fort Knox, Parris Island, the USS Yorktown, Hickam Air Force Base, GSA Headquarters, West Point, the Air Force Academy, and for the MARC (multi-technology automated reader card) program, a personnel prototype system being evaluated by the Department of Defense. Additionally, it is providing approximately 100,000 smart cards to closed systems being developed for the various sports stadium projects, and 400,000 cards for coin laundry systems.
Gemplus uses the Federal Registry’s definition of a closed system as “any environment in which system access is controlled by persons who are responsible for the content of electronic records that are on the system.”
“Closed systems are really a microcosm of the anticipated widespread use of smart card technology in society at large,” said Charles Cagliostro, Gemplus’ director of emerging markets. “Gemplus and its partners have been pioneers in developing these multi-application systems, and have a wealth of experience in quickly deploying turnkey smart card solutions. These systems give Gemplus the ability to plan products which have the hooks necessary for open system multi-application cards.”
“Closed systems are where it’s at in today’s smart card industry,” said Bill Norwood, chip card visionary and vice president of CyberMark. “We have implemented the CyberMark smart card solution at six institutions in the past year, and we have two more already scheduled for the spring. The power of the smart card is its multi-applicational potential, and closed systems have immediate multi-applicational needs.”
About Gemplus Corporation
Gemplus Corporation is the North American subsidiary of Gemplus Group (Gemplus), the world’s leading producer of magnetic stripe and smart cards. Gemplus manufactures and sells memory cards, microprocessor cards (both contact and contactless), magnetic stripe cards, as well as electronic tags. It also designs and markets software, terminals and systems; and provides personalization, consultancy and training services to offer its customers comprehensive solutions.
In 1996, Gemplus’ total sales were $440 million. By the end of 1997, the company will have a production capacity of 900 million plastic and smart cards.
Gemplus sells its products worldwide for such applications as public and cellular telephony, financial transactions, loyalty, transportation, education, healthcare, gaming, identity, access control, pay TV, security for computer networks and electronic commerce. Information about Gemplus’ products and services can be found on the World Wide Web at: .
About CyberMark
CyberMark provides card technology consulting, integration, mass issuance, and application development services for higher education, corporate campuses, government entities, stadiums, resorts, and gaming facilities. More than one million individuals utilize CyberMark cards at installations ranging from 1,000 to 60,000 card holders. For information, visit or call (850) 561-1055.
SCIA Adds 16 New Members
The Smart Card Industry Association (SCIA) announces the addition of 16 new members since CardTech/SecurTech East in May, further demonstrating consistent growth and interest of smart card technology in the marketplace.
The following companies have joined SCIA as Principal members: American Banknote, a producer of security documents and secured products; Diebold, an ATM manufacturer and integrator; Digicard, a plastic card manufacturer and integrator; IC-One, a card integrator; NBS Card Services Inc., a card manufacturer; ORGA, a smart card integrator and manufacturer; Sandia Imaging Systems, a manufacturer of smart card hardware and software; Giesecke & Devrient, a card manufacturer; ActionTec Electronics, a manufacturer of PC cards and readers; and MagTek Inc., a manufacturer of card readers and encoders.
SCIA’s new Associate members include: Citicorp Development Center, a global financial services organization; Quadagno & Associates Inc., a card-based technology consulting firm; and Villanova University, an institute of higher education currently utilizing smart card technology.
New Contributing members are: Clean Team Company, a developer and manufacturer of cleaning cards for smart card readers; Identix, a producer of biometric personal identity verification systems; and Random Specialties, a manufacturer of plastic promotional products.
SCIA is a global trade association active in the smart card industry which strives to stimulate the adoption, use, understanding and innovation of smart card technology in the marketplace. SCIA is also a co-founder and sponsor of CardTech/SecurTech, the leading advanced card and security technology conference.
For more information, contact SCIA at 191 Clarksville Road, Lawrenceville, N.J. 08648; tel: (800) 848-7242 or (609) 799-5654; fax: (609) 799-7032; or access SCIA’s web site at [http://www.scia.org.][1]
[1]: http://www.scia.org