100 new retail outlets to the InterCredits scheme inthe last year, doubling the size of the programme.ACT says that it is now planning to extend thescheme to allow loyalty points to be collected andredeemed via the Web.

The InterCredits scheme is a cooperative ven-ture that enables local retailers to compete with thebig chains through offering smart loyalty cards toshoppers.

The scheme runs on Schlumberger ’sMicroPayflex (microprocessor) card. (This cansupport reward systems; it also has the securityfeatures to run high-value applications such asticketing, and to run complementary applicationssuch as e-purses, electronic couponing or co-brand-ing functions on the same card.)

Some 70,000 consumers in Northern Irelanduse InterCredits cards at 200 small-to-mediumretail outlets. Rewards from a wide range ofretailers can be stored on a single card andredeemed across multiple outlets. InterCreditsreports that the scheme typically takes just acouple of weeks to introduce and claims thatmost retailers see a rapid lift in sales followingits introduction.

The InterCredits scheme is based on the GEL(Generic Electronic Loyalty) product from ACT.GEL uses micro-processor based smart cards tohold consumer data while a web-based databaseenables member retailers to analyse card usagethrough using a browser. Information on pur-chasing is collected at the point of sale everytime a card is used, and can be downloaded toACT’s Oracle database for analysis at the end ofthe day. Participating retailers then have secureaccess to this marketing intelligence via theInternet, viewing their own data under pass-word control - with no need to ring ACT to getreports.

ACT is now developing GEL to provide a plat-form for extending the InterCredits scheme fromthe physical High Street to the virtual Internetworld; this would allow retailers’ web sites toaward loyalty ‘currency’ which can be redeemedeither on the web or in the user’s local shops. ACTexpects to see InterCredits loyalty points beingoffered and used on the Web in the next six months,as smart cards become more widely used withPC-attached readers (as a means of providingsecure Internet access).

ACT and InterCredits are also trialling a cash reg-ister connection that enables retailers to process

loyalty transactions at the till. Meanwhile the GELapplication is being adapted to the MULTOS multi-application smart card operating system. Thisshould open up opportunities for member retail-ers to offer their loyalty card in assocation withbank payment cards.

InterCredits aims to provide the small-to-medium retailer with the same quality of infor-mation that large store chains currently enjoy.Reports come in various forms devised by ACT;each user’s analysis depends on the informationrequested on the original enrolment form.

Health Cards

Jordanian insurer rolls outInternet-based system

The National Health Insurance AdministrationCompany of Jordan has rolled out a smart card-based records programme that automates medicaland insurance information for health careproviders and patients.

Insurance data from the cards is transmittedacross the Internet to insurers, to allow them toauthenticate subscribers, to determine what cov-erage is provided and to submit claims. Claims areprocessed electronically without further humanintervention.

Using eClaim software from IdealSoft, MOSTsmart cards from CardLogix and PC Pay readersfrom Innovonics, the initial phase of the pro-gramme involves the roll-out to selected NationalHealth subscribers of smart cards and the issue of400 smart card readers to doctors, pharmacies,hospitals, laboratories and radiology centres inthe Greater Amman area.

At the clinic or hospital, the health care provideris able to examine insurance and medical infor-mation for the patient by inserting their own‘provider’ card and the ‘patient’ card presentedby the patient. Details ranging from blood typeto benefits status can be viewed, updated andstored on the two cards simultaneously. Card datais encrypted to prevent tampering.

National Health, founded in 1997 and based inAmman, says that its use of the Internet will enableit to handle large numbers of claims originatingfrom clients across the world. The company isnow expanding into Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Contact: Bruce Ross at CardLogix, Tel: +1 949 380 1312,e-mail: sales@cardlogix.com

8 • Ctt May 2000

Some retailers in theIntercredits scheme Austins Stores; J Burgess;Bairds Chemists; Botanic Inn;Bradys Supermarkets; CastleService Station;Causewaywine; Charles HillOff-Licences; ClandeboyeLodge; Croft Inns; DicksonsGarden Centre; Direct Wine;The Grange; Green Bank Wine;Hillen Bros; Jersey EuropeanAirways; Linton & RobinsonStores; Logwood Mills GardenCentre; Longs Supermarkets;Lunn Poly Travel Group;Lurgan Cash & Carry; MageesWine Lodge; Mcsherrys; MoyleSupermarkets;JJ ShannonJewellers; Shawmac; Spar;Strangford Arms Hotel;Toytown; Translink; TrummeryFarm Foods; The Vintage;Woodsides; trials at threeGuinness pubs.

How GEL worksCompanies using GELtechnology can develop theirown smart card loyaltyscheme, or become part of amulti-merchant scheme.Loyalty points are distributedto collectors via the SmartCard Terminal, a device thatenables the secure allocationof collected points from theTerminal to the collector’ssmart card - and back again.Collectors enter a participatingcompany outlet or store,complete a registration formand detach their smart card,ready for immediate use. Thecompleted registration form isreturned for processing andentry on to the database. Theterminal is a secure devicethat can use existingtelephone connections for itsdaily communication (usuallyconducted once a day afterworking hours) to the centraldatabase. This communicationreturns information such aspoints collected, location ofcollection, type of spend oraward, date and time of spendor award.

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