 Smart cards fail to capture mass applications
The main theme in this edition of FT-IT is smart cards. Despite widespread adoption in mobile phones and the payments sector, chip-based cards have not made the impression anticipated.
Also in this edition is a look at how the construction industry is responding to B2B marketplaces
SMART CARDS
Overview
The enthusiasm for smart cards in the mobile and banking sector can't hide the lack of terminals that have hindered the widespread take-up of smart cards in the retail sector.
Mobile phones
High-powered subscriber-identity chip cards can be used to carry a range of new applications on GSM networks.
Case Study - Dual-slot phones
Proven advantages have not so far helped dual-slot systems find a mass market.
Payment applications
Consumers in the west will soon have smart cards in their wallets, although it will make little difference in application terms.
Transport systems
From Paris to Seoul, public transport operators welcome the convenience of secure smart card systems.
Internet transactions
The banking system has so far been unable to provide a consumer payments infrastructure for smart cards.
Computer security
Compared to other products smart cards are extremely secure, with chipmakers making it almost impossible to reverse engineer their designs.
Retailing
The retailing payment infrastructure is hindering card transfer to the retail sector.
Multi-application cards
Although smart cards can carry more than one application, it will be some time before users can choose what they are.
Profile - Smartcardportal.com
A portal for new customers is expected to bring the German firm growing profitability.
Closed environments
From schools to hospitals, smart cards are proving popular in defined groups.
E-procurement
Improving the efficiencies of the contracting process can lead to major savings - and the smart card could leverage that further.
Healthcare
Smart cards offer many benefits to healthcare providers and patients but worries over costs are hindering applications in the sector.
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ONLINE
A fragmented supply chain and localised operations mean the industry is slow to reap the benefits of e-commerce.
A-Z of B2Bs
A growing number of sites around the world are generating online business for B2B building markets, something the industry is keen to expand.
Online IT solutions
Tighter margins make it essential for construction companies to reduce project cycle times, and online services can help.
Use of XML
There have been numerous innovations in design and construction but the building industry is cautious when it comes to all things IT.
Equipment makers
It is early days, but the B2B market for construction equipment looks set to grow.
PROFILES & CASE STUDY
BuildOnline.com
The business-to-business site has almost as much to offer off-line as on.
EU-supply.com
Despite a difficult start, the e-construction site is building significant mass.
E-difica
There has been early enthusiasm, but making a success of B2B portals looks daunting.
Oresund Link
From design to management, software has had a key role in the Oresund Bridge.
Citadon
B2Bs can make significant improvements to the sectorsÕ complex supply chain.
FEATURES
Viewpoint
Alan Cane analyses the effect of the digital devide.
View from the top
Recent years have been unprecidentedly volatile for IT's venture capital operators, but that has not hindered ETF's ebullient chairman and chief executive.
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