RFID Smart Cards: US May Use New ID Cards At Borders

From Washington Post ... One key ingredient is a rapidly emerging but controversial technology known as RFID, or radio frequency identification, which companies are increasingly using ...

The Accenture-led Smart Border Alliance has been selected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to design and implement the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) program. Under the contract, which includes five base years plus five option years, the Smart Border Alliance will help develop and implement a new entry/exit system to be deployed at the nation’s more than 400 air, land and sea ports of entry. Smart cards - Multi-purpose cards used as a portable database and more versatile than RFID. Never big in the United States, but have widespread use in the rest of the world.

Accenture Transport Security Services incorporates enabling technologies, including radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and sensors, to make products and their transport environments intelligent and interactive. The prototype also builds on a system using embedded computers and Global Positioning Systems (GPS), as well as fingerprint and iris recognition biometric technologies. Innovative companies in a variety of industries are beginning to use Telematics as an essential tool for enhancing their business performance. Beyond driver services, Telematics opens up new possibilities for process optimization, cost cutting and cross-selling based on a better understanding of equipment usage and customer behavior.

Accenture LLP is the U.S.-based business of Accenture, the global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With deep industry and business process expertise, broad global resources and a proven track record, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills, and technologies to help clients improve their performance. With approximately 90,000 people in 48 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$11.8 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2003. Its home page is www.accenture.com.