|
Tuesday, 10 September 2002 |
Press Release - Smart Money - it's on the cards. By Roger Monkman
Sept 10, 2002 It’ll be smart to be smart-carded – that’s the message coming from Chamber member Hectrix Limited. Despite a traditionally in-built opposition, Wolverhampton Science Park-based Hectrix believes that like millions of people in the Far East, we will accept the smart card culture in the not too distant future.
The company’s expertise lies in smart card, biometric and internet appliance technologies and they research, design and develop, write the software, as well as, manufacture their products. Steve Wan, general manager, said: “Seven million people in Hong Kong carry smart cards to pay for public transport, taxis, do the shopping – just about everything. It can be tailor-made to hold whatever information the customer wants.”
There are two core Hectrix products – Product fingerprint and smart card access control and time attendance system, and iBonus interactive loyalty program. Both are standalone, self-contained computers demanding no additional software or PC, and the real plus is their size. They are small and sturdy and able to be fixed to a wall in even the most confined areas. The Product can be used to introduce varying degrees of security to a company, as well as to monitor employees’ attendance records and can be configured and controlled remotely from anywhere in the world through a standard web browser. It can also be networked around a building using just one console with smart card scan pads at each access point. Inputting Ids is simple and quick and gives three levels of security through the smart card, a specific ID number and fingerprint recognition. The iBonus program is based on a loyalty reward scheme, which allows customers, through a smart card, to view and redeem points or gifts tailored for them. It is already proving popular in supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and petrol stations. Peter Milosavljevic, sales manager, said: “There is no doubt that smart cards will become a way of life in the UK and Europe . It won’t be long before they are being used on a day-to-day basis.” Paul Hung, managing director Europe, said: “Both products are being used in blue chip companies across the world, and our target is to get them known in the UK and Europe.” |
News 
