You may sell or install smartcard readers, design computer systems that include smartcard readers or you might have decided it's time to incorporate smartcard reader systems into your business. Regardless, smartcard readers education and training will provide a critical factor in the success of your business. Gaining all the knowledge and skills available will help you better serve your customers and encourage repeat business.

With the increasing popularity of smartcard readers by large and small businesses alike, expert knowledge and skills you gain through education/training will result in customers turning to you rather than any of the growing number of other suppliers or providers of smartcard readers. This guide addresses three types of training:

1. General training for novice and experienced smartcard readers providers and technical staffs.

2. End-user how-to training from manufacturers of smartcard readers.

3. Specific training from suppliers of smartcard readers designed for resellers/technicians/integrators.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate generic training for smartcard readers

If you're ready to implement a smart card reader system for your business or are looking for generic refresher training, take advantage of opportunities to learn more about the technology.

I recommend: Learn what you need about smartcard reader systems by starting with the Smart Card Alliance. This organization's members include suppliers, integrators and end user groups. Whether you need an introductory course or a more advanced course, the Smart Card Alliance Educational Institute offers both online and classroom-based education programs dealing with smart card technology and applications. Additionally, you should read online publications like ContactlessNews where you can learn more about the latest developments and technology in contactless smart cards and their readers. Earn Certified Smart Card Industry Professional certification if you are in the smartcard reader industry. Consider the LEAP program from the Smart Card Alliance for professional development/certification. It's the only professional development program with certification for those working in the smartcard industry.

Find smartcard readers products that include end user training

Not every provider or manufacturer of smartcard readers develops a formal training program for its products. If you've got the technical expertise, you can prepare and operate your smartcard reader system using operating instructions and manuals found online or with your equipment.

I recommend: If you buy the ACTAtek smart card reader/appliance through a US distributor, learn how to operate it by following instructions in the online training guide. It takes users through system configuration, web administration and operation. When purchasing a smart card reader system from Artemis Solutions Group, download the architecture overview and all the specifications you'll need to learn the ins and outs of your system. Quintron Systems, an engineering and manufacturing firm and provider of smartcard readers, offers installation training on its systems and also offers classroom follow-up/refresher courses at its factory. If you've got smart card keyboard readers from Cherry, you'll find a great summary of the history of smartcards and smartcard readers, as well as a smartcard readers list of step-by-step how-to instructions for specific models in its FAQ.

Find training for dealers/resellers and systems integrators of smartcard reader systems

Selling or installing smartcard reader systems requires you to have a solid understanding of the systems you sell and work with.

I recommend: Software House offers certification training for dealers' technical staff working on American Dynamics and Software House products. It focuses on classroom training but can also train onsite. Additionally, it offers web-based training for integrators that earns continuing education units. If you resell and/or install smart card readers from AMAG Technology, you get access to classroom training sessions and distance learning courses through the AMAG Technology Education & Training Department. The company's courses benefit resellers, technicians and integrators. Look for opportunities for technician certification if you're a reseller of specific brands of smartcard reader systems. Not all smartcard reader manufacturers offer certification, but taking advantage of those that do will help ensure you've got the information/skills needed to effectively service your customers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for opportunities for technician certification if you're a reseller of specific brands of smartcard reader systems. Not all smartcard reader manufacturers offer certification, but taking advantage of those that do will help ensure you've got the information/skills needed to effectively service your customers.

It can be a bit intimidating when you look down the smartcard readers list and realize exactly how many options you have. The breakneck pace at which technology moves can intimidate even the most tech-savvy businessperson. Fortunately, there are a few basic concepts you can use to navigate the sea of options.

From PC-based smartcard readers to handheld devices, there are many possible smartcard configurations. In many ways, the smartcard reader you pick has more to do with the type of benefits you're trying to get from it.

As most suppliers of smartcard readers can tell you, smartcard readers provide many potential benefits to a company. Here are some of the benefits:

1. Use a smartcard reader system alongside a security system to monitor and restrict access to sensitive areas;

2. Limit access to computer resources with PC-based smartcard readers and add an extra layer of information security;

3. Use smartcard reader products to track employee hours; and,

4. Smartcards and readers come in a number of different formats, including PC-based USB smartcard readers, hand-held smartcard readers and full-blown smartcard reader systems.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose a PC-based USB smartcard reader

If you intend to use a smartcard reader that's based on PC technology, choose one that uses USB. While there are smartcard readers that utilize a PC card slot in a laptop, USB smart card readers are the most versatile PC-based smartcard readers.

I recommend: Discover and compare smartcard readers through NexTag. The Envoy Data USB SCR331 Smart Card Reader, available from The Nerds, is an excellent solution, whether you've got a laptop or a desktop computer. Another option is the Keytronic 104-key keyboard USB w/smart card reader, available from Mwave.

Consider fully developed smartcard systems

If your company needs more than just a single smartcard reader and a few smartcards, you need to check out the options smartcard reader suppliers offer. Providers of smartcard readers can custom-design a smartcard solution that exactly meets your business needs. Working directly with a provider of smartcard readers insures that your system functions in the way you need it to function.

I recommend: Request samples from manufacturers of smartcard readers, such as Atmel. Alternatively, if you already know what sort of smartcard reader system you want, fill out a project questionnaire from Smart Card Integrators, Inc., another manufacturer of smartcard readers.

Look into handheld smartcard devices

These devices save you the hassle of setting up PCs everywhere you'd like to use smartcards. Your security or identification needs become mobile, and can go anywhere you can carry one of these devices.

I recommend: Get handheld smartcard reader systems such as those Blackberry provides. The Lenovo ExpressCard 54 Smart Card Reader, available from Pricegrabber, is another possible solution.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Smartcards do have a relatively high failure rate. Often, the smartcard reader will fail to read a smartcard because the chip inside the smartcard can be prone to breaking. Consider card enclosures to protect employee smartcards.

Smartcard readers continue to grow in popularity, and the technology of smartcards and their readers continues to evolve. Whether you buy, sell, manufacture or use smartcard readers, you've got to understand the features and specifications or certifications to make informed decisions regarding smartcard readers.
From organizations that develop standards that steer the manufacture of smartcard readers to understanding the technology and types of smartcards compatible with specific smartcard readers, it pays to keep up with the terminology.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

EMV certification

Smartcard readers used with the new financial smartcards issued by American Express, Visa and Citibank (MasterCard) require EMV certification. The acronym refers to Europay MasterCard Visa. This group banded together and first developed its specifications for smartcard readers to speed up global interoperability between financial smartcards and terminals or smartcard readers in 1995.

I recommend: Get more familiar with the latest EMV 4.2 Specifications at the EMVCo website.

PC/SC

Smartcard reader literature often makes reference to a reader's PC/SC compliance. The letters stand for personal computer/smart card. The PC/SC Workgroup, formed in 1996 to improve existing smartcard integration specifications, subsequently included smartcard readers and smartcards integration with personal computers to allow multiple applications to share smartcard devices. Specifications include cryptographic functionality and secure storage, smartcard reader and PC programming interfaces and application development high-level interface.

I recommend: Visit the PC/SC Workgroup for more information on PC-compatible smartcard readers.

ISO 7816 smartcards

The smartcard industry works continually on standardization of smart cards and smartcard systems. ISO-7816 refers to the International Standards Organization's established standards for identification cards that are integrated circuit cards with contacts. It covers manufacturing parameters, physical and electrical characteristics, location of contact points, communication protocols, data storage and more.

I recommend: Learn more about ISO 7816 smartcard standards at SmartCardSupply.com.

PCMCIA cards

Many laptop computers come with a PCMCIA slot for a PCMCIA card/smartcard reader containing a smartcard inside. PCMCIA actually serves as the acronym for Personal Computer Memory Card International Association, a non-profit trade association and standards body. At one time, PC cards were known only as PCMCIA cards, but the industry trend now leans toward referring to the cards as PC cards and the association as PCMCIA. Sometimes, however, you'll still see the acronym used to refer to PC cards.

I recommend: See an example of a smartcard reader/PC card produced by SCM Microsystems at the Windows website.

CAC card

Workers assigned to U.S. Department of Defense installations and facilities insert CAC cards into smartcard readers to digitally sign documents, enter buildings, gain access to computers and more. First introduced within the DOD in 2000, credit-card sized Common Access Cards (CAC cards) incorporate barcoding, a magnetic strip and an embedded integrated circuitry chip. Information stored on the cards includes identification, demographics, benefits, physical security and card management.

I recommend: Read more about CAC cards and smartcard readers that support them at ActivIdentity Corporation.

PKI

Many smartcard readers support PKI applications. PKI stands for Public Key Infrastructure, and it supports mutual authentication between smartcards and smartcard readers, providing secure, portable key storage and non-repudiation for sensitive applications such as online banking, e-commerce and even stock trading. The architecture's four main components include the certificate authority that issues and verifies digital certificates, the registration authority that verifies certificate authority before issuing digital certificates, one or more directories to hold certificates and a certificate management system.

I recommend: Join TechRepublic for free and download the white paper that focuses on the history and evolution of PKI.

SmartCard readers installation and maintenance resources help you get your reader up and running and keep it working smoothly. SmartCard readers attach to computers, usually through a serial or USB connection. SmartCards are inserted into the readers and used to authenticate users for secure applications, websites or secure purchasing. These readers are also used in vending machines and mobile phones.

There is a large selection of SmartCard readers on the market that are compatible with Windows and other operating systems. Many use default Windows installation procedures, but some suppliers of SmartCard readers provide specific instructions. To make a SmartCard readers list of instructions and maintenance procedures:

1. Check with manufacturers of SmartCard readers for online installation instructions;

2. Get general Windows installation instructions for universal SmartCard readers;

3. Look into SmartCard readers products that are used to clean the readers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find installation instructions from providers of SmartCard readers

Instructions for installing SmartCard readers should be included with the units. If the instructions get lost, many SmartCard manufacturers provide online instructions that can be downloaded or printed. If you can't find instructions online, check the manufacturer's website for information.

I recommend: See Gemalto NV for instructions on installing the e-gate USB smart card reader. Check Lenovo for instructions on the OmniPass Smart Card Middleware for Client Security Solution. HID Global provides installation procedures for the Omnikey reader.

Get general instructions for installing a SmartCard reader on a Microsoft Windows computer

Most SmartCard readers can be installed as a plug and play device or from the Windows 'Add Hardware' Wizard. General instructions include attaching the reader to the applicable port and installing drivers. Driver installation varies depending on whether the drivers are available as part of the Windows operating system or need to be added from a CD or file. Once the SmartCard reader is installed, additional tasks include enabling the SmartCard and logging on.

I recommend: Microsoft Technet provides detailed instructions for installing a SmartCard reader. WindowsIT Pro offers additional instructions for using the reader and SmartCards.

Use cleaning cards for maintenance of a SmartCard reader system

A SmartCard reader can accumulate dirt, dust and debris that can cause the unit to fail, especially if the reader is used outdoors or in dusty environments. Cleaning cards for SmartCard readers solve this problem. They are inserted into the reader and move from side to side to clean the unit. Most manufacturers recommend cleaning the unit every one to two weeks, or more frequently when the SmartCard reader is used outdoors.

I recommend: Changemaker is a provider of cleaning cards. Instructions for using the cleaning cards are included on the company website. POS Supply Solutions offers reader cleaning cards with discounts on bulk purchases.