Program Prepares Leaders to Evaluate Critical Business Issues for the Application of Smart Cards to their Markets

Princeton Junction, NJ, September 3, 2002–The Educational Institute of the Smart Card Alliance kicks-off the 2002-2003 course schedule on October 9th headlined by its new advanced course designed for executives and managers. The program, which includes the afternoon and next morning, follows on the heels of the 10th Annual Smart Card Alliance Conference on October 7th; both events will be held at the Marriott Camelback Inn Resort, Golf Club, and Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. The EI courses and the annual meeting are open to members and non-members, with fees for the EI program ranging from $795 to $1,295.

“We designed this new course to help executives and managers from industry and government understand the essential business issues for evaluating and planning a profitable strategy for smart cards in their own markets,” said Randy Vanderhoof, president and CEO of the Smart Card Alliance.

The new EI 201 course, called Advanced Business of Smart Cards, builds on the lessons learned from years of experience of member organizations of the Smart Card Alliance including government agencies, financial institutions, retail businesses, system integrators and technology companies.

In addition to business cases, EI 201 topics include implementation topics such as project management, card personalization and issuance, and standards as well as the latest developments in mobile e-commerce, transportation contactless technology, biometrics and PKI.

The El will offer in parallel its popular Introduction to Smart Cards 101, a course that addresses the basics of smart card technologies and their applications. Designed for business managers and executives, this course has been very popular with individuals seeking grounding in the fundamentals of smart card technology. The course is also popular with organizations that are embarking on a smart card strategy and need to get several members of the management team up to speed quickly.

EI 101 provides an introduction to smart cards including specifications, standards, security and system design. Equally important is the in-depth review of where and why smart cards are used successfully, profiling existing and emerging applications, and an examination of legal and public policy on the use of the technology.

Both courses were developed and are conducted by instructors who are among the leading names in the industry. Past participants in EI programs have represented the blue-chip companies that are today leading the growth of the smart card market in the U.S. including Boeing, IBM, CUBIC, Bank of America, MBNA and the U.S. Government Accounting Office.

When asked what was best about the EI courses, previous attendees have cited “the depth of knowledge of presenters”; “the format and content, which were excellent”; “the diversity of the topics,” and “overall a terrific session.”

Other dates in the EI 2002–2003 course calendar include December in Washington DC, February in Salt Lake City, and June in a location to be determined. For more information the EI program and to register please visit https://www.securetechalliance.org.

About the Educational Institute

The Smart Card Alliance conducts educational courses to provide information on smart cards, related technologies and smart card enabled applications to Alliance members and other interested parties. The Educational Institute’s industry-renowned educational programs feature expert speakers to provide participants with a solid understanding of smart card technology, standards and applications. The EI courses are available to other organizations and events, and selected course materials are available on CD-ROM to Principal members.

About the Smart Card Alliance

The Smart Card Alliance is a not-for profit, multi-industry association working to accelerate the acceptance of smart card technology. The Alliance In conjunction with these educational initiatives initiate specific projects such as market research, advocacy, industry relations, and open forums, keeping them and their members connected to industry leaders and innovative thought. The Alliance also is the single industry voice for smart cards, leading industry discussion on the impact and value of smart cards in the U.S.