Industry Sectors
Education
Colleges and universities issue their student and staff with a variety of smart cards, each having a single or multi-application purpose such as student ID, campus and residence access, student union membership, library and computer access, cashless catering, parking, sports and leisure facility entitlement.
Schools and universities who deploy smart cards are also working with local authorities to issue combined citizen and student cards, particularly for transport, library and leisure applications. As the cost of administration continues to rise and as more and more automation is introduced for the provision of student services and facilities in schools or on and off university campuses, the benefits of smart cards are being recognised.
Universal has the expertise to provide this sector with solutions to meet any requirement.
Government
Governments and local authorities have taken advantage of the new age of electronic communications to progress the use of smart cards, whether for security and identity or for the delivery of public services to citizens through citizens´ cards. The smart card also plays a crucial role in the sector's drive to streamline access to citizen services and deliver e-government across all sectors.
In addition central governments are embarking on national schemes in ID, transport and healthcare.
Through its network of contacts, Universal has direct knowledge of the needs of local and central government and can provide solutions to suit any application.
Access Control
Smart cards are now accepted as the token of choice for Physical Access Control.
The directors of Universal Smart Cards have a long track record working within the Access Control Market, having worked in the industry and also having supplied many smart cards into this sector.
Universal can advise on Physical Access and Personalisation to include, Photo ID, Graphical Personalisation and Electrical Encoding. If you have an aging access control solution and need help with smart card strategies to maximize your investment then Universal is well placed to assist you.
Retail
Smart cards are well-established in many sectors and industries, but none is more fundamental than the retail environment. Cards provide a variety of functions from secure payment and fast transaction times to the provision of loyalty benefits and promotion.
The retail sector continues to expand smart card or smart chip use with many new developments, such as near field communications, wave and pay contactless cards, gift cards and smart posters using RFID. More sophisticated loyalty cards are also emerging as they not only enhance customer retention, but can provide crucial marketing data for ongoing retention and analysis.
In all cases there is always an underlying smart chip and Universal is well placed to meet the need.
Transport
Understanding of the various challenges surrounding the application of smart technology in transport is an asset on which Universal prides itself. The company can work with both the public and private sectors to develop cost-effective, cohesive and interoperable smart card-based schemes. Relevant areas of interest include bus and transport, road tolling, driving licences and any other transport-related area that may justify the use of smart cards.
In addition, the potential for multi-modal travel ticketing is growing and Central Government support and EU standardisation are providing key drivers to smart card deployment.
Recently ITSO was founded in 1998 as a result of discussions between various UK Passenger Transport Authorities, with the aim of driving standards in the transport ticketing space to enable interoperability.
Please see the ITSO section on how Universal can also help in these areas
Universal understands the issues and can work with both transport operators and scheme providers to ensure cost-effective answers to complex issues.
Vending
Cashless catering and vending through the use of smart cards provides significant benefits to commercial environments, where large catering operations are in place.
Employing a smart card system can help maximise use of dining facilities, ensure effective management of allowances and subsidies and provide comprehensive audit trails and management information. Schools, universities, local government, hospitals and business and industry are increasingly going smart, installing cashless catering systems in canteens, restaurants, snack bars and vending machines.
Universal has the expertise and product base to ensure these systems work on all levels, no matter how large or small the application.
