Gene,
Hav'nt heard of Diebold. My expertise and background is in Semiconductors. I design, manage projects etc for companies who
need consulting on 1-2yrs basis. The reason I know about Verifone was that I needed to put a smartcard interface into one of the interactive TV set-top boxes. I did some technical research and found Verifone
to have the largest market share in N. America. That got my interest.
I know very little about software, except that the margins on software companies are much higher 8-).
There is a smart card interface standard. I think Motorola, Texas Instruments, Phillips and a few other Co. have the chips going into the smart cards (my reserach stopped in June 96).
The programming of the chip is totally application specific. You can use it as encryption keys (set-top box application), secured transactions etc.
So, I don't think it's a matter of standard. Verifone to my knowledge
has a complete solution.
Currently smart cards are mostly used for telephone calls, set-top box encryption keys and debit cards. A time will come (2-3 yrs) when the only card in my wallet will be a smart card, with all my credit cards, driver's liscence, health info. etc encrypted on it.
I think the barrier to entry in this business is minimal. Verifone had an upper hand due to the # of installed base ATM terminals, some good experience and Good management.
Xerxes |
