Chaz,
<< interested in smart cards as a "cutting edge" >>
Kind of "bleeding edge" in the USA judging from the immense interest this thread has generated. <g>
<< Java ... Backed into this through Sun Micro >>
Not a bad way to back into it. Java Card looks like it will be hot. Technology has been holding it back. IC cards have used 8-bit processors since day one and EEPROM memory has been pretty small. Java on a Card needs a little more horse power and storage area for Java Script. We are finally seeing 16-bit and 32-bit processors appear on smart card silicon and EEPROM is getting bigger quick.
There is a school of thought that Java on a GSM SIM card will give WAP a short life. I'm not sure of this (I'm a WAP dummy)but I've heard it said more than once. Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM) taking the lead on Java SIM.
<< Since SI is primarily for investors, which companies do you see as being at the forefront of smart development and then commercial sales? >>
The purpose of this thread was to attempt to try to determine this. We haven't had a lot of input.
I've personally been watching Litronic (LTNX), Datakey (DKEY) Information Resources Engineering (IREG), Certicom, SCM Microsystems (SCMM), RSA Security Inc. (RSAS). All of the above are playing in the world of IT/IS and PKI. I've also been watching PubliCard. There is nothing I'm ready to bet the ranch on.
Nice to see little Datakey up 92% YTD. Figures. I sold a small position not too long ago.
There are also the companies that make smart card silicon (see below)
Also which companies are key contributors to the technologies which make smartcards possible?
Well first in the food chain are the smart card silicon guys. Haven't check the stats lately but on top you have Infineon the semiconductor side of Siemens. The will IPO this spring. Then you have ST who has a 32-bit Java product due out by end of year and Atmel who already has one I believe. Atmel recently bought Motorolas smart card silicon capability.
Today the 3 key to smart card technology are probably Sun (Java Card), Microsoft (Windows for Smart Cards) and MAOSSCO/Mondex. These 3 are creating proprietary open architectures for OS that will replace the proprietary architectures promulgated by the major "smart card manufacturers" (Gemplus, Schlumberger, Bull, et al) in the past.
Europay, MasterCard, and Visa (EMV) are sort of cooperating.
<< Schlumberger is a leader but is so huge that the smart card element is buried beneath lots of other stuff where the primary sales and earnings come from >>
Yes. Gemplus, Bull, Orga, Oberthur all private. No play. When Gemplus does an IPO that could be one.
<< Where should we be looking in your judgment? >>
The rapidly emerging world of PKI, IMO. Information Security.
Smart Cards have been a European thing. They solve problems everywhere in the world that simply aren't problems in the USofA because the US has had different infrastructure development. PKI is being developed here. The IT industry has been holding off on large investments in data security because of more pressing concerns with Y2K and because a lot of standards had to be developed and infrastructure put in place to make PKI work.
The General Services last Friday released a major RFP for PKI based Smart Identification Cards. DOD has a big budget for same controlled by the Navy.
The new American Express "Blue" card is PKI (using Infineon Silicon).
There is another arena that I haven't checked out lately and its a huge market for smart cards. It is Pay TV. Conditional access providers. EPG & IPG. Electronic wallets. I'm rusty on this application area (but I'm holding some GMST).
All this just my rambling opinion of course.
Best to you, too.
- Eric - |
