NEW DELHI, INDIA: SmartCards Expo 2008 was recently held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The expo brought new applications and technologies to the fore.

With over 225 exhibitors from more than 20 countries showcasing the latest in SmartCards, Biometrics, RFID, e-payments and e-security, the expo unfurled a slew of futuristic smart solutions for the industry as well as end-consumers.

The three-day exhibition came to an end on a very promising note for the industry. The expo had over 8,200 visitors and out of which the decision makers were around 5,700.

Giesecke & Devrient (G&D), Germany showcased NFC (near field communication) based mobile payments, how the retail payments in future can happen through mobile sets. All one is required to carry is an NFC enabled mobile set to go out shopping or to watch movie, etc.

It is already happening in European and US markets, and is heading its way to India. According to industry research, transactions worth $587 billion will be handled worldwide by mobile financial services (MFS) by 2011. Infineon Technologies showcased the contactless passport for which a pilot project is already going on and the President of India has been issued an e-passport.

While NXP was displaying a useful application, LPG Gas tracking to stop the leakage of gas cylinders in the supply chain is also in the pipeline. Once the application comes into effect, it will help the gas companies like HPCL, IOL to protect the gas subsidy by stopping the diversion of domestic gas cylinders for commercial use.  The companies are losing a major chunk of revenues due to these leakages in the supply chain.

“For the industry, there was Atlantic Zeiser, GmbH introduced their latest machine PERSOLINE, a full color personalization platform for premium cards. The machine is not available in the Indian market as yet and we will now be distributing it through our agents in India,” said Manuel Wikenhauser, Sales Manager, Cards Systems. Maze Cards India was offering complete solutions for the smart card manufacturing industry under one roof ranging from raw materials to machinery as well as consultancy.

The expo had participation from the major global players like Americanbanknote, Atmel, Atlantic Zeiser, Bartronics India Ltd, Bergen Associates, Bielomatik Leuze, CMS Computers, Cross Match Technologies, Eagle Software, Giesecke & Devrient, HID Global, Honeywell Automation, Infineon, M-Tech Innovations, Muehlbauer AG, Ruhlamat, Sagem Secuite, Sysco Machinery, Micehlin, NXP Semiconductors, Quantum ID, STMicroelectronics, WYSE Biometrics and a number of other giants in RFID, e-security, mobile communications, biometrics, etc.