Why Join?The smartest place to network With a circulation of over 350 million in the UK alone, smart cards have become the personal token of choice for a wide range of applications in both the public and commercial sectors. The need for secure communications over remote networks, the growth in ‘plastic fraud’ by cloning and counterfeiting have combined to ensured this technology’s place as a key enabler, and as an essential component in the development of effective platforms for identity, debit, credit and purse payments, and as part of the emerging world of e-business. Contactless smart cards are now increasingly being regarded as a new card type with enormous potential, not only in public transport, but across the entire payment card spectrum. And yet the full potential for this technology has not met expectations. Issues of ownership, control and branding have prevented the effective deployment of multi-application cards. The public sector has so far failed to support its modernisation programme with widespread citizens’ card schemes, and the ID card project has so far failed to be implemented, in spite of huge investment. Meanwhile, the very form factor of the plastic card is being threatened by advances in mobile telephony such as NFC. Since 1993, The Smart Card Club, a professional association of member organisations that has grown to become the UK’s premier forum for education, debate and promotion of all aspects of smart card and related technologies, standards, applications and schemes, has been meeting regularly in London, to understand and address this fast-moving market. With the potentially enormous impact of some 200 million additional public sector smart cards in the UK over the next few years, attendance at our meetings has never been so important for organisations involved in this technology, whether as scheme operator, consultant or supplier. WHAT OUR MEMBERS SAY ABOUT US
“Smartex membership provides many opportunities to do business in the smart card industry in terms of networking and education. In particular, attendance of Smart Card Club meetings has become part of our business strategy for ongoing development.”
Michael Smith, Director Universal Smart Cards “Membership of the Transport Card Forum and through it, association with the Smart Card Club, provides me with one-stop-shop access to the movers and shakers in the smart card world essential to my keeping abreast of developments in this fast moving industry".
Ian Potter, London Underground AIMS
To bring together smart card scheme operators and relevant technology suppliers, in order to share a common and up-to-date understanding of the technology, applications, standards and marketplace as they evolve, in a non-sales environment. Themed full-day Club meetings take place regularly, in London, each of which has specialist-led sessions with ample breaks for networking. Recent meetings have focussed on NFC, mobile telephony, ID card systems, Bank payment systems and smart concessions. WEB SITE
The SCC web site provides a range of useful information, including a private Members-only area containing meeting presentation materials and other member services. HOW TO JOIN
Membership is open to all, and is by annual fee in advance. Application forms are available in the general Membership Information area. CONTACTS
For further information or assistance, please call Richard Poynder, Chairman, The Smartex Group, on 01440 712610 or email him at richard@smartex.com.
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