Advanced Card Systems

Advanced Card Systems Limited
Type Public SEHK: 8210
Founded Hong Kong (1995)
Headquarters Hong Kong
Area served Worldwide
Key people WONG Yiu Chu, Denny, CEO and Chairman
Products Smart Cards & Smart Card Readers
Revenue $93.7 Million in 2010 [1]
Website www.acs.com.hk

Advanced Card Systems Ltd (ACS) is a Hong Kong-based company founded by Denny Wong in 1995. It is a fully owned subsidiary of Advanced Card Systems Holdings Ltd. (SEHK: 8210), a publicly listed company in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. ACS develops smart cards, smart card readers and related products, and distributes them to over one hundred countries in the world. It was ranked by Frost & Sullivan as one of the world’s top 3 suppliers and Asia Pacific’s top supplier of PC-linked Smart Card Readers.[2] In 2010, it was listed as one of the companies on Forbes Asia’s “Best Under a Billion" list, a prestigious list of 200 top-performing companies with sales between US$5 million and US$1 billion, and selected from 12,930 publicly listed enterprises in Asia Pacific.[3]

ACS has over 200 full time employees as of December 2010.[1] Its revenue in 2010 was HK$93.7 Million.[1]

Contents

Management team

[1]

Name Title
Denny Wong Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Keng Boon Tan Chief Technical Officer
Alice Tsui Executive Vice President, Operations
Elsie Lai Vice President, Product Marketing
Patrick Chu Engineering Manager
Eric Lee Engineering Manager
Gilbert Leung Sales Director
Maggie Wong Senior Finance Manager

Products and services

ACS develops and supplies smart card reading or writing devices, smart cards and other related products categorized by the following product lines:

1. Smart card and card operating systems
2. PC-linked smart card readers
3. Smart card balance readers
4. Smart card/fingerprint readers
5. Smart card readers with pin-pad
6. Contactless readers
7. PC-linked readers with mass storage
8. Dynamic Password Generators
9. Software Development Kits

ACS products are certified to be compliant with global and national industry standards. These include PC/SC and EMV for ACS USB and Serial Readers, USB certification defined by the USB consortium, Mondex, EMV CAP and VISA DPA, PBOC (The People’s Bank of China), NETS (Singapore and Korea), UL/CSA, U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), VCCI, FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards) and RoHS.[4]

ACS also offers product customization services to meet specific customer requirements. These include custom branding on ACS smart card and reader products.[5]

Further, ACS conducts consultation and training on the smart card technology. In 2008, ACS offered an elective course on smart card technology in De La Salle University – Manila,[6] while in 2010, it conducted the first ever basic smart card training in the Philippines. It also conducted a two-day training on smart cards in the Information Technology Services Center (ITSC) of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CHUK).[7]

Applications

ACS smart card and card reader technologies are used in a wide variety of applications. These products are distributed to system integrators, software developers and solution houses worldwide, enabling them to create smart card-based applications for security systems in various sectors, including banking, transportation, identification, e-health, e-government, access control and e-commerce.[8]

Banking
In 2009, ACS deployed 100,000 ACR38 Smart Card Readers for the implementation of an online home banking project in an East Asian country. The project involved ACS’s cooperation with the country’s local bank and telecommunication company, in order to integrate ACS smart card technologies to VoIP-enabled desktop phones that customers use to access []online banking]] services at home.[9]
Meanwhile, ACS received over 60,000 orders of ACR30 Smart Card Readers from Hong Kong banks adopting two-factor authentication for the Hong Kong secure e-banking project using the Hong Kong Identity Card.[10] Following the guidelines of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) that took effect in July 2005, local banks employed two-factor authentication tools like e-Cert for high risk online banking transactions.[11] ACS's ACR30 readers were used to read smart ID cards with embedded Hong Kong Post e-Cert by a number of Hong Kong’s banks, namely, Bank of America (Asia), BOC Credit Card (International) Limited, Bank of China (Hong Kong), Chiyu Banking Corporation Limited, Nanyang Commercial Bank, Bank of Communications (Hong Kong Branch), The Bank of East Asia, CITIC Ka Wah Bank and Dah Sing Bank.[12]
Access Control
ACS participated in the security enhancement project set up by the World Olympians Association (WOA) to secure the events in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. ACS provided ACOS3 Microcontroller Smart Cards that were issued with around 4,000 credentials, as well as ACR88 Handheld PIN-Pad Readers that were used to read the smart cards and verify the identity of authorized guests.[10] ACS partnered with Artemis Solutions Group (ASG), which specialized in providing a complete credential management system for attendees of the Olympic Reunion Center (ORC).[13]
Transportation
In August 2009, ACS supplied its ACR122 NFC Readersfor EZ-Link cardholders to manage their new EZ-Link cards at home via the EZ-Online System. Cardholders are allowed to check and print their 20 most recent transaction records, top-up their cards from a bank account, and load EZ-Coupons to redeem bonuses by presenting their cards to retail shops.[14]
Government
In 2006, ACS deployed smart card readers for the roll-out of national e-ID cards for the Belgian National e-ID Card Project. Over 100,000 pieces of ACS ACR38 Smart Card Readers were deployed during the pilot run of the project called “Belgian eID card reader for the 12-year-olds.” The decision to utilize ACS smart card readers was issued by the Federal Information and Communication Technology (FedICT) Department of the Belgian Government.[15]
In the same year, ACR100 SIMFlash Smart Card Readers were supplied to the Egyptian Government, which began issuing smart taxation cards to taxpayers for security reasons. ACS smart card readers were used to input, check and back-up transaction information of the taxpayers.[16]
eHealth
In 2008, ACS won a tender to supply 600,000 units of PC-linked contact smart card readers to the regional government of Lombardia, Italy. The readers were used for read and write operations on health cards used by Lombardian citizens, pharmacies, doctors, hospitals, etc., to access medical services, as well as online government services.[17]
Retail
In 2006, ACS contactless smart card readers were adopted by a high-end Japanese Supermarket in Hong Kong for its Customer Loyalty Program. ACS ACR120 contactless smart card readers were used in the new loyalty program, which began transitioning from contact to contactless smart card technology in 2005.[18]
Meanwhile, ACS was selected to provide ACR122 contactless card readers to Pacific Century CyberWorks Limited (PCCW) Hong Kong in 2008. ACR 122 Octopus card readers were made available to be connected to PCCW’s multimedia VoIP phone, thus allowing cardholders to check their card balance and their ten most recent transactions in the Hong Kong Octopus Card without the need for Octopus Enquiry Machines that are located in MTR stations only.[19]

Awards and recognition

Reference

  1. ^ a b c d "“ACS Annual Report 2010”". http://acs.com.hk/dloads/financial-reports/eng/2010%20Annual%20Report-e.pdf. Retrieved 12 April 2011. 
  2. ^ Frost & Sullivan (07 June 2010). "World Smart Card Readers and Chipsets Market". frost.com. http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/report-toc.pag?repid=N7B7-01-00-00-00. Retrieved 12 April 2011. 
  3. ^ Forbes Asia (01 September 2010). "Asia’s 200 Best Under A Billion". forbes.com. http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/24/asia-under-billion-10_Asias-200-Best-Under-A-Billion_Company.html. Retrieved 12 April 2011. 
  4. ^ "“ACS Annual Report 2010”". http://acs.com.hk/dloads/financial-reports/eng/2010%20Annual%20Report-e.pdf. Retrieved 12 April 2011. 
  5. ^ "“ACS Product Customization”". http://www.acs.com.hk/index.php?pid=customization. Retrieved 12 April 2011. 
  6. ^ "“ACS offers elective course in De La Salle University-Manila”". 27 August 2008. http://www.prlog.org/10110597-acs-offers-elective-course-in-de-la-salle-university-manila.html. Retrieved 12 April 2011. 
  7. ^ CardsNow!Asia (13 May 2009). "ACS Providing Smart Card Tech Training to CUHK". cardsnowasia.com. http://cardsnowasia.com/article.cfm?id=3037. Retrieved 18 February 2010. 
  8. ^ "“ACS Typical Applications”". http://acs.com.hk/index.php?pid=typical-applications. Retrieved 12 April 2011. 
  9. ^ "“ACS Supplied 100,000 ACR38 Smart Card Readers for Online Home Banking Project in East Asia”". globalsmart.com. 02 September 2009. http://www.globalsmart.com/Supplied%20Smart%20Car. Retrieved 18 February 2010. 
  10. ^ a b "“Hong Kong banks using ACS smart card readers for two-factor authentication”". secureidnews.com. 08 February 2006. http://www.secureidnews.com/2006/02/08/hong-kong-banks-using-acs-smart-card-readers-for-two-factor-authentication. Retrieved 19 February 2010. 
  11. ^ "“Hong Kong Monetary Authority To Require Two-Factor Authentication For Online Banking”". paymentsnews.com. 30 May 2005. http://www.paymentsnews.com/2005/05/hong_kong_to_re.html. Retrieved 22 February 2010. 
  12. ^ "“ACS was chosen by World Olympians Association (WOA) to secure its events in 2008 Beijing Olympic”". 22 September 2008. http://www.prlog.org/10120294-acs-was-chosen-by-world-olympians-association-woa-to-secure-its-events-in-2008-beijing-olympic.html. Retrieved 22 February 2010. 
  13. ^ "“Manage the new Singapore ez-link card at home with an ACR122 NFC Reader”". morerfid.com. 18 August 2009. http://www.morerfid.com/details.php?subdetail=Report&action=details&report_id=6097. Retrieved 22 February 2010. 
  14. ^ "“Beijing Olympic Reunion Center Access Secured With BioCert Encrypted Smart Card Technology and Portable Identity Verification”". micardreader.com. 27 August 2008. http://www.micardreader.com/a358288-beijing-olympic-reunion-center-access-secured.cfm. Retrieved 18 February 2010. 
  15. ^ "“ACS’ smart card reader chosen for Belgian ID card project”". secureidnews.com. 08 May 2006. http://www.secureidnews.com/2006/05/08/acs-smart-card-reader-chosen-for-belgian-id-card-project. Retrieved 19 February 2010. 
  16. ^ Frost & Sullivan (17 January 2007). "Movers & Shakers Interview with Mr. Denny Wong, Chairman and CEO, Advanced Card Systems Ltd". frost.com. http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/market-insight-top.pag?docid=92710322. Retrieved 19 February 2010. 
  17. ^ "“Business Review – For the year ended December 31, 2008”". quamnet.com. 31 December 2008. http://www.quamnet.com/companySearchDetail.action?coId=1226. Retrieved 18 February 2010. 
  18. ^ "“ACS’ Contactless Smart Card Reader is adopted by a high-end Japanese Supermarket for Loyalty Program”". smartcardstrends.com. 04 July 2006. http://www.smartcardstrends.com/det_atc.php?idu=3840&main=e02340ad2dd44aaf2307cd95e5a8272e. Retrieved 18 February 2010. 
  19. ^ "“Checking your Octopus card balance at home by ACR122 Octopus Card Reader”". smartcardstrends.com. 06 March 2008. http://www.smartcardstrends.com/det_atc.php?idu=6761&main=e02340ad2dd44aaf2307cd95e5a8272e. Retrieved 18 February 2010. 
  20. ^ "“Advanced Card Systems receives Frost & Sullivan’s”". smartcardstrends.com. 16 October 2003. http://www.smartcardstrends.com/det_atc.php?idu=500&main=e02340ad2dd44aaf2307cd95e5a8272e. Retrieved 18 February 2010. 
  21. ^ Frost & Sullivan (10 October 2006). "Frost & Sullivan Recognizes Advanced Card Systems Ltd for Business Development Strategy Leadership for World PC Link Readers Market". frost.com. http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/press-release.pag?searchQuery=advanced+card+systems+ltd.&bdata=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5mcm9zdC5jb20vc3JjaC9jb250ZW50LXNlYXJjaC5kbz9wYWdlU2l6ZT04JnBhZ2U9MiZzcmNoaWQ9MTkzMDM2OTQ2QH5AU2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHNAfkAxMjY2NDg0OTEwOTI5&docid=84005347. Retrieved 18 February 2010. 
  22. ^ "“Advanced Card Systems receives D’ucoty’s Product Innovation Award”". usasmartcard.com. 27 July 2006. http://www.usasmartcard.com/news/latest-smartcard-news/advanced-card-systems-receives-ducotys-product-innovation-award.html. Retrieved 18 February 2010. 
  23. ^ "“ACS to Gain Wordlwide Recognition in the Smart Card Industry”". smartcard.com.cn. 27 June 2008. http://www.smartcard.com.cn/listo_id=747. Retrieved 19 February 2010. 
  24. ^ "“ACS has achieved ISO 9001:2000 standard for quality management systems”". acs.com.hk. 25 September 2007. http://www.acs.com.hk/index.php?pid=press-item&id=93. Retrieved 19 February 2010. 
  25. ^ Frost & Sullivan (30 November 2009). "“Frost & Sullivan Awards ACS for Smart Cards Product Quality Leadership”". frost.com. http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/press-release.pag?searchQuery=advanced+card+systems+ltd.&bdata=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5mcm9zdC5jb20vc3JjaC9jb250ZW50LXNlYXJjaC5kbz9wYWdlU2l6ZT04JnBhZ2U9NSZzcmNoaWQ9MTkzMDM2OTQ2QH5AU2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHNAfkAxMjY2NDg0OTk4Mzgy&docid=185838761. Retrieved 18 February 2010. 
  26. ^ "“ACS receives 2009 Best Practices Award 'Product Quality Leadership Award for Smart Card Readers'”". smartcardstrends.com. 15 November 2009. http://www.smartcardstrends.com/det_atc.php?idu=10638&main=83883c9afa848df27a8b36e163b43d84. Retrieved 18 February 2010. 
  27. ^ Forbes Asia (01 September 2010). "“Asia’s 200 Best Under A Billion”". forbes.com. http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/24/asia-under-billion-10_Asias-200-Best-Under-A-Billion_Company.html. Retrieved 12 April 2011.