A Smart card is used as a powerful tool to provide different types of services with a high level of convenience and security. Services range from payment applications such as transit passes and tickets, parking payment, toll payment, etc. to non-payment applications, which include personal identification, access control, driving license and health care. Agencies from public and private sectors are provided, in using a smart card system, with a flexible tool to enhance data collection and support 'market driven' loyalty programmes to their customers. In this context, the multi-application smart card can be considered as a win-win case for both customers and service providers. The present paper provides a summary background on applications of smart cards and presents a Canadian consortium's approach to introduce a framework to assist in the introduction of interoperable multi-application smart card systems in Canada.
Abstract