Multiple applications on one card bode well for the technology’s future By Andy Williams, Associate Editor, Avisian Publications It’s an interesting time for contactless smart card technology. The payment cards are in the hands of consumers but now it’s a matter of getting them to use them. The next year may be tough in terms […]

The President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee has released a report calling for changes in identity management in the U.S. The committee is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and advises the President on emergence and preparedness of telecommunications. “A need has emerged for a national, comprehensive identity management strategy that would recognize […]

Bluehill ID announced the global expansion of its Multicard brand into the Asia-Pacific region. After Bluehill ID’s announcement of the acquisition of Fastcards Pty Ltd, the Australian entity announced that it will adopt the trading name of Multicard, aligning with sister companies Multicard in Switzerland and Germany. Multicard Australia is an identity and accreditation company […]

U.S. armed forces have been using biometrics in Iraq and Afghanistan for years to identify possible insurgents and make sure only those with access are allowed into bases. But as the U.S. turns more responsibility over to Iraqi forces there are concerns over what will happen to that data, according to a DefenseNews.com report. Jim […]

Canada, Britain and Australia announced a plan to share traveler fingerprint data to stop immigration fraud. The U.S. and New Zealand are expected to join the initiative soon, according to a report in the Ottawa Citizen. The agreement enables countries to check each other’s fingerprint databases, but doesn’t give them unrestricted access. The measure aims […]

Suprema Inc., a provider of biometric technology, has been awarded the 2009 Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific Industrial Technologies Award as the Biometrics Company of the Year for its performance during the previous year. The award recognizes Suprema’s growth in terms of revenue and technological achievements, as well as penetration in biometrics markets in global […]

The American Hospital Association, through its subsidiary AHA Solutions Inc., has announced its endorsement of EXTENSION HealthID. HealthID is a smart card that holds individual patient data for use by the hospitals to improve the care experience. The AHA’s endorsement of HealthID comes at a time when maintaining and accessing accurate patient information is becoming […]

L-1 Identity Solutions Inc. was awarded a five-year $62.8 million contract by the California Department of Motor Vehicles to continue providing secure driver’s license solutions. Two two-year extensions are options for the state and if exercised would add an additional $45.8 million to the contract’s value. The contract includes new workflow processes and technologies to […]

The Chicago Transit Authority is exploring dropping its fare cards and instead going with contactless credit, debit and prepaid cards for payments on the system. The agency will issue a request for proposals in late August. Switching systems would save the CTA money because it wouldn’t have to issue fare media and manage the fare […]

Making social media work for your campus card program By Andy Williams, Associate Editor, Avisian Publications If you aren’t using Facebook, YouTube, MySpace or some of the other so-called social networking sites, you may be missing out on a prime opportunity to market your campus card or other university program. The University of Minnesota uses […]