INTRODUCTION
STUDY, GOAL AND OBJECTIVE
BCC's goal in conducting this study was to determine the current status of the worldwide smart card industry and assess its growth potential over a 7-year period from 2000 to 2007. We were particularly interested in knowing what is happening in the smart card market and knowing how smart card projects are implemented worldwide. In addition, we were interested in the market potential for emerging smart card technologies. The goal of the study also involves knowing and understanding different technologies that are available and in use.
Our key objective was to present a comprehensive analysis of the current smart card market and its future direction.
REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY
Smart card is the most sophisticated and advanced technology used mainly for payment and authentication purposes. The smart card market is growing at an amazing pace, and we are interested in knowing the trends this market will follow. It will be also interesting to know how smart cards are being utilized for enhancing our daily lives and es and making them secure.
CONTRIBUTION OF THE STUDY AND FOR WHOM
This study is an extensive and complete data that defines and explains how the smart card industry is developing and what its prospects are in the long term (2003 to 2007). The study includes the market findings of smart card projects implemented worldwide and also encompasses smart card usage and its acceptance by the public. The importance of the smart card and its features have been scaled in technology terms.
This study can be of immense help to companies that are into card manufacturing, chip manufacturing, system integration and for the companies dealing with security issues. This study can additionally be of help to project managers, system developers and distributors who wish to exploit smart card as one of their options. Government institutions and private company owners can also benefit from this study for securing and simplifying their work by the use of the smart card.
SCOPE AND FORMAT
The scope of the study includes major smart card technologies, smart card types, platforms, its standards and various applications of smart card. A major focus of the report is the market scenario of the smart card industry. This report discusses various smart card projects that are being implemented or that have been planned around the world.
The report is divided into easy-to-follow chapters such as overview, applications, markets etc., while the markets are divided geographically and breakdowns are given by region.
INFORMATION SOURCES
The report sources its information from various companies' press releases, annual reports and news from periodicals as well as websites over a period of time. The report has also sourced various companies' public relations officers for the specific queries and figures required for the report.
The technical portion has been sourced and referred from company white papers and magazine articles, while the market data is based upon press releases and direct press contacts.
