Contactless takes center stage in Orlando at this year’s Cardtech/Securtech show
01 April, 2003
category: Biometrics, Contactless, Financial, Library
In May, contactless technology takes over the Cardtech/Securtech conference in Orlando, Florida. I say “takes over” because the growing cross-industry focus on the technology will be in full view at this year’s expo. By my quick estimates, 1 in every 3 booths will be showing some form of RFID product. One of the pre-conference workshops is entirely dedicated to contactless technology and the subject will hold a key position in at least two others.
During the three days of educational sessions, nearly every time slot has a presentation relating to RFID in some form–secure ID, transit, payment, or security. There are talks covering the integration of biometrics and RFID, dual interface cards for physical and network protection, and more.
In addition to all the contactless happenings at the CTST event, Orlando is a great place to see RFID in action. The city’s expressways make use of the SunPass, an actively-powered RFID token used to pay tolls. The city’s new transit initiative called ORANGES includes tolls, bus fare collection, and parking payment using a contactless and contact combi card (see the article in this issue). At least one local amusement park (Wet n’ Wild) tracks visitors throughout the facility with RFID wristbands to keep kids safe. And as you will read in the cover story of this issue of ContactlessNews, MasterCard has launched a major trial of contactless payment cards in the city.
The staff at ContactlessNews will be there covering the event so if you cannot attend we will do our best to bring you the major news and announcements–including updates from the show floor. If you are planning to attend, we have prepared a special Guide to the Show for our subscribers.
Take a look at the map in the publication, or take advantage of the interactive version on the web at contactlessnews.com. I look forward to seeing you in Orlando.
Chris Corum, Editor, [email protected]