System Operation

Essentially the system consists of the following. A fault tolerant central server system for the back office processing called the SmartBoss. The system runs on Windows NT and has a MS SQL-7 data base engine and an MS IIS server. All the applications reside and run out of SmartBoss. The SmartBoss hosts the Card Management software, which is used to issue smart cards after personalization. The SmartPOS (Point of Sale Terminal) is used at the front-end for the cardholder to load his card as well as to transact (purchase). The POS accepts payment either in cash, bank credit / debit cards or smart cards. The POS is connected by TCP/IP to the SmartBoss (PSTN telephone line in case or remote locations) and at the end of the business day (or at any predefined frequency) it transfers all transaction data to the SmartBoss for further processing.
The system can also support access control systems to restrict entry on a need to access basis and attendance monitoring systems.
The access control system also can be used for providing access to authorized people to any facility.
The SmartBoss generates MIS reports after processing all the data received from the different terminals. Reports can be customized to suit the client's needs.
The individual components of the system, the software and the hardware, are discussed in detail in the following sections of the document.
Card Usage & Benefits
The management can create and maintain the Masters using the central server system (SmartBoss).
The Masters can be in relation to
Access Control Time & Attendance Monitoring Personalization Module Inventory Management
Pricing Management
Journalizing every activity at the server Report/Query Module
Finance and Accounts Audit trail or Payment Systems
Once the smart cards have been issued using the Personalization Module, and the systems have been setup to accept the cards, the cardholders can use their cards for the various applications.

Access Control
Operation
The smart card reader is placed at the entrance. Every user places his smart card on the reader, keys in his PIN and after verification gains entry into the facility. The same procedure is followed on exit. At the end of each day, data in the PC is transferred to the central system.
The smart card is a photo identity card with the biometrics information stored in the card.
It can be used as a means to gain access either using access control systems or just as a proof of identification in the absence of such systems.
For example, entry into the campus itself can be just by identification but access to the library, say, can be by using an access control system, which uses the card to provide access.
Benefits
Unauthorised entry into critical facilities is prevented.
The PIN feature ensures that there is no impersonation. Usage of the facility can be tracked. The need to man the facility is avoided.

Time & Attendance Monitoring
Operation
This is an extension to the access control system. In this case the card readers have to be placed in all the classrooms/work areas as per requirement. Here, additionally, the time in and time out are recorded by the system. At the end of each day, data in the machine is transferred to the central system. In case of more than one opening into the room this might not be feasible.

Benefits
The extra investment will translate into Unauthorized entry is prevented Less paper work in recording the attendance information Less processing time of the data Less scope for malpractice's Better control of the students/employees and Increased productivity as no time is wasted on checking the rolls Privileges & Entitlements
(Administrative system)

Operation
In its basic functionality, a single card read at a reader location will initiate a "request" to check multiple privilege indicators in the central system and respond with a concise visual reader response. More sophisticated verification applications will involve the selection of the appropriate verification type by the user for each situation.

Benefits The system can answer the following questions for the administration Has recreation center fee been paid? Any library fees or fines due? Does the student/employee have enough attendance?

Dining / Food Service System
Operation
The card can be used as a mode of payment for purchase of food items at the canteen. The simpler version of the system will have a list of items sold at the canteen and the merchant will have to key in the ordered items. The card is placed on the reader and after verification of balance, the order amount is reduced. The full-fledged version, will have a Point of Sale (POS) system, which will store the different kind of meal plans of the merchant. The merchant can just decide which meal plan will apply for the day. Besides this option the version will house the features of the simpler version as well.
Benefits This system helps To reduce time in preparing bills and counting cash To print the order in the kitchen directly To prevent misappropriation of cash To track buyer behavior and provide merchant with relevant data so that he can save costs by reducing wastage

Snack & beverage vending
Operation There are innumerous vending machines supplying beverages, snacks and cool drinks. These can be integrated with the card reader to allow use of these machines only with the card. The card is placed on the reader; the user keys in his requirement; the reader verifies the user and his balance and the vending machine dispenses the item(s).
Benefits Using the card, these machines can be operated by the users themselves at any point time without the need to carry coins / tokens. The system can provide the vendor with statistical analysis on the buying pattern The system will also warn the vendors when stocks are running out.

Library Operation
The card can be used to borrow books from the library. On entry, the user places the card on the reader and submits any material borrowed earlier. The system tracks the books borrowed and in case they are charged will deduct the amount from the card. In case of delay, the amount of fine is also reduced from the card.
Benefits The system can send timely alerts that they have to return the books. The time at the counter to record each entry, collecting cash and tracking the books is reduced. Customized reports can be provided to the librarian on the usage of the library facilities. Can assist the librarian in ordering and tracking supplies from publishers.

Telephone services
Operation The telephone system is integrated with the card reader in such a way that the user will be able to dial only after he places the card on the reader. The balance in the card is stored in the SmartPOS. The user can talk to the extent of money available in the card. Once the limit is reached, the call will get disconnected.
Benefits Providing telephone booths to make STD/ISD calls and manning them to collect cash is labour-intensive. Misappropriation and loss of cash is prevented. Saves time for users.

Internet access / PC usage
Operation The system supports a PC application to manage the use of software applications on workstations. Access can be limited to certain applications, such as an Internet browser and charges for the application can be deducted from the card.
Benefits The system allows for card payments for access and usage of Internet services. The system is designed to charge different prices for different applications. The system monitors frequency of use.

Off-campus merchants
Operation The system can also be extended to be used with off-campus merchants. The client will have to take the initiative to tie-up with such merchants.
Benefits Users will then be able to carry the same card for purchase outside the campus. Such tie-ups, therefore, will encourage wider use of the card. Reduce the need to carry cash. Health Care Management The proprietary Health Care System Software running on Windows provides a very user-friendly man machine interface. The central web server contains all the necessary details for the patients viz. the medical history, the insurance details, lab results of the patient, primary physician etc. In addition to this data, the server contains vital information for the doctors like the drug list etc. It also allows for commercial update of the drug data on a regular basis including new drugs, newly discovered interactions and new side effects. Every doctor covered under this application will be equipped with a smart card reader connected to a PC. This PC can act either as a standalone computer or it can act as a node in a local area network (LAN) so that the information can be seamlessly transferred to other systems. At the same time, this PC will have a connectivity to the central Web server just in case it requires any data that is not locally stored in its hard disk. Persons who become members of this program are issued smart cards with the basic demographic information filled in it. The smart card data is organized in such a way that the details of the patient are divided into logical groups and each such group is maintained in a separate file. When a user comes to the doctor, he/she brings with him/her the smart card issued to him/her. When this smart card is flashed near the smart card reader attached to the PC, the reader captures and reads the information present in the card and displays the same on the screen. The doctor can then navigate through the different files displayed and view the required information on the screen. If the doctor requires any further information to attend to this patient, he can always connect to the central web server and get the required data. Once the diagnosis is carried out, the observations made by the doctor are keyed into the system which in turn codifies this and this information is stored back in the smart card of the patient along with the date/time stamp, name of the doctor, his contact number and address etc. This information is also transferred across in a proprietary encrypted format to the central web server for storage for further use. The basic critical data of the patient such as his blood group, allergy conditions etc. are printed as a variable information on the card itself so that this information will be of immediate use in case of an emergency condition. The greatest advantage in this application is that the card carries all the critical information about the person and instantaneously doctors can have access to vital clues that can mean the difference between life and death. Rapid, specific access to a patient's medical record allows easy review of essential information required during the session. tool in implementing such loyalty schemes effectively.