Schlumberger Takes Lead Integrator Role inEU-Supported SmartCities Smart Card Pilot in Southampton,UK.
Business Editors/High Tech Writers
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 11, 2000
Nine Partner Pilot Co-Funded by European Commission Will Use
Multi-Function Smart Cards for Transportation,
Entertainment, Education and Other Services
Schlumberger Smart Cards & Terminals, a unit of the Test & Transactions segment of Schlumberger Limited (NYSE: SLB), has taken the lead integrator in a nine partner SmartCities smart card pilot in The City of Southampton, UK.
The pilot, which utilizes smart cards for transportation, entertainment, education and other services in this English city of 215,000 citizens, is co-funded by the European Commission and will conclude in November 2002. The result will be increased efficiency for the City Council and ease-of-use for the citizens and shopkeepers. The City of Southampton, which will put the concept to the practical test, is one of nine European organizations taking part in the project.
The new SmartCities card will allow Southampton citizens to use and pay for leisure, library and transport services in the City without using cash. It will also be used to access services and for payments at Southampton University. Use of the card could be extended to other services throughout the City in the future. Essential to the viability of the scheme is the ability to add and remove applications from the smart card, using either a public-access city terminal, dual-slot mobile phone or Internet-connected PC.
"Southampton has established itself as a leader in innovative city management with projects such as the city-wide Romanse road management system for Europe, which has been crucial in improving traffic flow through the City and is now being expanded to cover the surrounding counties, as well as our CityWeb Internet site," says Council Leader, City of Southampton, June Bridal. "SmartCities brings together the specialist skills we need to create a blueprint for an open, easily-replicated solution that other European cities can implement with minimum start-up costs."
"Everyone understands the benefits that smart cards can bring to city management. The issue for local government is how to harness those capabilities effectively within a complete smart card-based infrastructure," says Gerard Leger, president, Geomarkets, Schlumberger Test & Transactions. "The expertise and entrepreneurial skills of Schlumberger will prove invaluable in developing the smart card infrastructure technology that will dramatically simplify everyday life for the citizens -- and governments -- of cities throughout Europe."
