At Rambus, we create cutting-edge semiconductor and IP products, providing industry-leading chips and silicon IP to make data faster and safer.
Rambus has acquired Smart Card Software Ltd for £64.7M in cash, or approximately $93 million at the current exchange rate.
The newly acquired company – which comprises Bell Identification Ltd (Bell ID) and Ecebs Ltd (Ecebs) – will bolster the security portfolio of Rambus’ Cryptography Research division. To be sure, both Ecebs and Bell ID have created elements of critical technology behind the majority of leading software-based transaction protocols.
Rambus has acquired Smart Card Software Ltd for £64.7M in cash, or approximately $93 million at the current exchange rate.
The newly acquired company – which comprises Bell Identification Ltd (Bell ID) and Ecebs Ltd (Ecebs) – will bolster the security portfolio of Rambus’ Cryptography Research division. To be sure, both Ecebs and Bell ID have created elements of critical technology behind the majority of leading software-based transaction protocols.
According to Dr. Martin Scott, senior VP and GM of Rambus’ Cryptography Research division, the technologies created by Bell ID include a full suite of mobile payment solutions that support cloud-based services using host card emulation (HCE), EMVCo tokenization (TSP), trusted services management (TSM) for SIM-based projects and embedded secure element solutions.
Meanwhile, Ecebs a leading supplier of smart ticketing systems to the UK transport markets, has developed software to meet the growing demand for cloud-based, secure ticketing schemes, which can open up lower cost smart ticketing to a wider market.
Bell ID is based in The Netherlands and Ecebs is based in Scotland. Rambus will maintain facilities in both of these locations – continuing to service and support Bell ID and Ecebs customers.
“The secure mobile payment and smart ticketing markets are growth opportunities,” Dr. Scott added. “The technologies developed by Bell ID and Ecebs complement our CryptoManager platform [and] will allow [Rambus] to leverage our foundational security technology to offer differentiated, value-added security solutions.”
Bell ID and Ecebs bolster Cryptography Research Division
SUNNYVALE, Calif. – January 25, 2016 – Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ:RMBS) today announced it has acquired Smart Card Software Ltd which includes Bell Identification Ltd (Bell ID) and Ecebs Ltd (Ecebs) through the purchase of all outstanding shares of Smart Card Software Ltd., for £64.7M in cash. As part of this acquisition, the advanced mobile payment platform developed by Bell ID, along with the smart ticketing platform created by Ecebs, will be incorporated into the Rambus Cryptography Research Division. Rambus expects the acquisition to be accretive to pro forma earnings within the first twelve months.
“The secure mobile payment and smart ticketing markets are growth opportunities, and the technologies developed by Bell ID and Ecebs complement our CryptoManager platform and will allow us to leverage our foundational security technology to offer differentiated, value-added security solutions,” said Dr. Martin Scott, senior vice president and general manager of the Rambus Cryptography Research division. “We welcome the teams of Bell ID and Ecebs to the Rambus Cryptography Research division and look to continue building comprehensive product offerings for the market to better service our collective customer base.”
“It’s exciting for Bell ID and Ecebs to become part of an organization with a deep foundation in security which can enhance growth and offer even more comprehensive solutions to our customers whilst strengthening its global market and technology profile,” said Pat Curran, executive chairman of Smart Card Software Ltd. “The combined organizations will be able to streamline the usability of advanced payment and ticketing schemes in the most secure manner.”
Bell ID is a recognized leader in mobile payments. The technologies created by Bell ID include a full suite of mobile payment solutions that support cloud-based services using host card emulation (HCE), EMVCo tokenization (TSP), trusted services management (TSM) for SIM-based projects and embedded secure element solutions. Ecebs is a leading supplier of smart ticketing systems to the UK transport markets and has developed software to meet the growing demand for cloud-based, secure ticketing schemes, which can open up lower cost smart ticketing to a wider market. These technologies and solutions will support the Rambus Cryptography Research portfolio of products and services, providing a broad range of secure provisioning and management solutions.
To learn more about Rambus and the Cryptography Research Division, visit rambus.com/security.
Follow Rambus:
Company website: rambus.com
Rambus blog: rambusblog.com
Twitter: @rambusinc
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/rambus
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RambusInc
About Rambus Cryptography Research
The Rambus Cryptography Research division is dedicated to providing a secure foundation for a connected world. Our innovative technologies span areas including tamper resistance, content and media protection, network security, and secure payment and transaction services. These technologies protect nearly nine billion licensed products annually, providing secure access to data and creating invaluable trust between our customers and their customer base. Additional information is available at rambus.com/security.
About Rambus Inc.
Rambus creates cutting-edge semiconductor and IP products, spanning memory and interfaces to security, smart sensors and lighting. Our chips, customizable IP cores, architecture licenses, tools, services, training and innovations improve the competitive advantage of our customers. We collaborate with the industry, partnering with leading ASIC and SoC designers, foundries, IP developers, EDA companies and validation labs. Our products are integrated into tens of billions of devices and systems, powering and securing diverse applications, including Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, consumer and media platforms. At Rambus, we are makers of better. For more information, visit rambus.com.
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as amended, including statements regarding the potential benefits and incorporation of the acquired technologies into the Rambus Cryptography Research division, expected addition to pro forma earnings within the first twelve months, growth opportunities of the secure mobile payment and smart ticketing markets, and the ability to streamline the usability of advanced payment and ticketing schemes in a secure manner. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections that are subject to change. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties described from time to time in Rambus’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q and other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and Rambus does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements based on new developments or changes in expectations.
July 2015
Abellio has chosen the ITSO-based smart ticketing system provided by Nevis Technologies and has big plans for smart ticketing.
Abellio chooses Nevis Technologies as its smart ticketing provider
The Dutch company has been running the ScotRail franchise since April this year and has big plans for smart ticketing. Nevis Technologies back office HOPS system was successfully implemented in time for its franchise takeover.
Nevis Technologies is the joint venture company set up between Rambus Ecebs and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), which is running the ITSO-based smart ticketing system for smartcards currently being used in Glasgow’s Subway.
Dan Schoenhofen, ticketing project manager at SPT, told the recent Scottish Transport Applications & Research (STAR) conference in Glasgow that 77,000 smartcards have been issued since the launch of the Subway smartcard in October 2013.
A fares differential encourages smartcard uptake – a single ticket using the card is £1.40 compared with a cash fare of £1.60. SPT is now exploring options to grow usage to 60%.
Schoenhofen said the ITSO compatible card could be used by other organisations and confirmed that Abellio has appointed Nevis Technologies to provide smartcards, a back office system (HOPS) plus customer and card management system for travel.
Abellio ScotRail smartcard holders can currently load season tickets for main commuter routes but there are plans for many more ticket offerings and seat reservations, as well as multi-modal, multi-operator integration with Transport Scotland, starting with Glasgow’s Subway.
Currently, more than 86 million passenger journeys are taken a year on ScotRail services. Some 13 million passenger journeys were taken on the Glasgow Subway in 2014/15.
March 2015
Subway Smartcard users can now buy tickets in shops around Glasgow
Payzone outlets across Glasgow now offer pay as you go top-ups as well as the ability to buy Subway season ticket products at convenience stores and newsagents around the city.
Smart card holders can now top up at Payzone outlets, selected due to their proximity to Subway stations, giving even more access to the Subway – as well as buying tickets in stations.
The credit or travel season ticket is uploaded directly to the smart card using contactless technology in Payzone terminals similar to that used by payment terminals in coffee shops.
The move is possible thanks to the flexibility of the smart technology used in the Subway Smartcard, called Bramble, delivered by the joint venture partnership between SPT and Rambus Ecebs called Nevis Technologies. 
This is part of a wider vision to deliver even greater convenience to public transport customers through the use of smart technology. Future deployments could include topping up online or remotely through smartphones.
David Braddock, Director of Nevis Technologies commented: “The integration with Payzone makes it even easier for travellers to get their tickets or top-ups. Uploading straight to your smartcard but away from the station is something we know people want – it’s very simple and convenient and helps to avoid queues at stations during peak periods. All you need is a Subway smart card and the Bramble technology will do the rest.
“We have started this process with 45 Payzone outlets located near Subway stations. The long term vision is to embrace technology still further and find new ways to make everyone’s life a little easier. So watch this space.”
Uptake of the Subway smart card continues to increase, with around 100,000 ‘smart’ journeys taking place on the Subway every week.
Damian Scholes, Business Development Director from Payzone added: “Payzone is an easy way to add travel at your convenience in your local shops. Payzone has enabled a number of outlets at locations close to Subway stations which are open, early morning or late into the evening seven days a week. Payzone has been delivering Smart Ticketing services across the whole of the UK and is delighted to be working with Nevis Technologies and we look forward to delivering further services together.”
Some smart cards are suited to certain applications such as access, payment or transport ticketing. How much data needs to be stored on the card? Different types of smart card can hold different amounts of data; choose from memory only cards or micro-processor cards.
Is the card going to be used for one service or multiple services? Is there a possibility that in the future there may be services that can be added to the card, even if they are not needed now? Smart cards are particularly valuable when they combine a number of service applications.
Does the form factor need to be that of a plastic card, could the technology be more useful as a key fob, wristwatch or mobile phone?
Irrespective of card, what does it cost to put a card into someone’s hand? Cards come in a variety of memory configurations, and are priced accordingly. Next they need to be printed and personalised and mounted on to a card carrier. Following this they need to be sent to the customer.
Multi application smart cards can hold more than one application; a DESFire card can be used as an ENCTS concessionary travel card and hold other entitlements as apps. Cards such as these require applications to be added at the personalisation stage – i.e. before they are issued to a customer. If a local authority subsequently wants to add another entitlement or ‘app’ they will need to issue their customer with a brand new card at additional cost.
Rambus Ecebs native smart cards can be updated with new software and entitlements at the personalisation stage AND after they have been issued to a customer, this represents real savings for local authorities who can then easily add, delete or amend apps or entitlements for their customers.
Our native cards are certified to banking level security and hold more than 6 times the application data space of a DESFire 4k card. Ecebs offer a choice of payment applications, where one or more can reside on the same card as required.
The protection of customer data is paramount, as the use of cards increases for travel, e money schemes, proof of age, proof of entitlement etc. the importance of card security must be considered carefully. Ecebs have the knowledge and experience to provide the advice and smart cards that are appropriate for your needs.
