Smart Cards _

Smart cards, also known as “chip cards” are similar to traditional magnetic stripe cards, but they contain small integrated circuits -- a “chip” or microprocessor-- where data can be stored and even processed. In other words, it is a mini-computer, though without keyboard or screen.

Smart cards have a number of advantages over magnetic stripe cards:

• Memory capacity: They can store a lot more information.
• Information processing capacity: magnetic stripe cards can only store data, while smart cards store both data and processing applications. In addition, the data can be modified and updated, and new applications can be added, without having to change the card.
• Multiple uses of a single card: a single ServiRed smart card can perform several different financial and non-financial functions.
• Greater security: smart cards can be protected against fraudulent use via encryption techniques.

ServiRed, through its technological unit SERMEPA, developed the Advantis family of products and services which can supply the entire infrastructure needed for processing financial transactions with multi-application smart cards.

Advantis is the world’s first multi-application operating system to combine in a single chip both EMV standard debit/credit applications and electronic purse functions.

EMV is the standard adopted by the international card brands MasterCard and Visa for credit and debit financial applications in smart cards. The use of a single standard ensures international interoperability between smart cards and terminals.



The Advantis family is SERMEPA's second generation of smart card operating systems, designed for both contact and contactless use. It is independent of the card brand (Visa, MasterCard) and supports all magnetic strip credit and debit applications as well as electronic purse and other functions. This means it can be used as a public transit card, for access control, in loyalty programs, in universities, etc.