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SmartCard Readers

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.

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

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.

Tips & Advice to help you make your decision on SmartCard Readers

Smartcard readers can offer many benefits to business hoping to build and utilize new smartcard technology. Today, technological advances are every changing and businesses can utilize these platforms to improve their customer to business relationships. Smartcards are everywhere and customers are expecting to interact with this technology more and more as businesses continue to find avenues to improve transactions. Smartcards offer efficient and unique approaches suitable for many businesses in a variety of industries.

Smartcard readers are designed to program the smart card for use. Customized programs and information can be embedded into each smartcard to meet the needs of the ... more

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