Ticketing Archive

December 2010

The MULTOS Consortium, the group of companies leading the on-going development and deployment of the MULTOS platform, today announced that Ecebs Limited has joined as a partner member of the consortium.

Many of Ecebs solutions are based on the proprietary Multefile™ technology that enables on-card applications to be developed more efficiently and dynamically reconfigured after a card has been issued. Ecebs first demonstrated Multefile™ for MULTOS over six years ago and has worked with MULTOS implementers to integrate Multefile™ into several MULTOS products.

Ecebs is a technology solutions provider that has, for over ten years, delivered a range of smart card products and applications in the fields of transport ticketing, EMV and payments, health, education, secure ID and access control. Ecebs has smart card expertise at every level, developing proprietary smart card platforms as well as supporting open platform multi-application operating systems, including MULTOS.

Ecebs is also a leading provider of technology for ITSO, the nationally interoperable smart transport ticketing system of the United Kingdom. It created and developed the ITSO Secure Application Module (ISAM) used in all ITSO ticketing point of sale terminals, the ITSO Security Management System (ISMS), and was awarded the first HOPS certificate by ITSO. In addition, Ecebs has a range of ITSO compliant smart cards and card issuance and management systems to fulfil an overall ITSO smart ticketing solution.

As smart ticketing becomes widely deployed across many territories, card issuers often look to combine this function with other applications, such as payments. Multefile™, when loaded on a MULTOS smart payment card, can provide the ticketing container as well as a framework to easily add new applications as required. Meanwhile other scheme-approved applications, such as M/Chip or VSDC provide the domestically or internationally accepted Chip & PIN and contactless payment functionality. MULTOS, in conjunction with Ecebs, permits both transport operators and financial institutions to share a single card with high assurance security mechanisms separating the applications and data for each function and provider. Multefile™ complements MULTOS’ own application loading mechanism by permitting a flexible, dynamically reconfigurable environment for many smart ticketing scenarios, including not only single journey fares, but also high-value travel permits and entertainment event ticketing.?David Burdett, Managing Director of Ecebs Limited explained why Ecebs has joined the consortium.

“Ecebs is very aware of the convergence occurring between the payment and ticketing markets. Leveraging the current MULTOS platforms and their strength in the payment arena, together with Ecebs’ strength and depth of experience in the transport markets, produces a very strong product foundation and new growth opportunity for those with an existing MULTOS investment. By introducing Ecebs’ Multefile™ technology on MULTOS, clients will be able to future-proof their investment and open up new opportunities for revenue through the ability to add and adapt card applications in the field.”

Welcoming Ecebs to the MULTOS Consortium, Alan Johnson Technical Director commented:

“Ecebs and the consortium have worked together for many years to ensure their innovative Multefile™ application and its flexible approach to application data storage was available to MULTOS customers worldwide. However, as increasing numbers of issuers look to combine many applications onto a single contactless card – realising the multi-application card future envisioned by MULTOS’ development back in the 1990’s – the consortium needs to work with expert providers like Ecebs to ensure these combined requirements of different applications, such as transport ticketing, payments and identity are delivered effectively by a single technology platform. We hope that Ecebs deep knowledge and experience in the transport ticketing arena will contribute to MULTOS continuing to provide the best in class platform for application convergence. We look forward to working with Ecebs in this endeavour.”

Ecebs will be joining other members of the MULTOS Consortium for this year’s Cartes show in Paris from 7th to 9th December, at booth 4N066. It will be showcasing their ITSO-based remote ticket download solution for MULTOS which was developed with Ecebs’ parent company, theTrainline.com in mind. The solution is enabled by Multefile™ and demonstrates a system that is capable of loading tickets to a card, over the internet, with full end-to-end security.

About MULTOS

MULTOS is the most robust, industry-backed smart card platform delivering simplicity and innovation to the world’s leading issuers. With more than 180 million issued smart cards across 40 countries, MULTOS is overseen and provided by a consortium of smart card and silicon manufacturers, payment schemes, card management system providers and integrators. A range of applications including payment, authentication, digital identity, biometrics, loyalty and contactless ticketing may securely co-reside on a MULTOS powered chip.

For more information visit www.multos.com

The MULTOS Consortium
Aline Schneider Marketing Specialist
[email protected]

Employees turned up armed with paint, brushes, cleaning and DIY materials with the goal to transform and re-decorate the premises inside and out.

Local MSP Christina McKelvie was clearly impressed at the awards ceremony and commented in her latest June statement:

‘Ecebs is a company that started out about eight years ago with a set of plastic garden furniture and an ambition to be the best. Since then the company has been built up to be a world leader in Smart card technology. It’s good to see success stories like that one coming out of Scotland’s business community’.

Ecebs benefited with teamwork and the simple satisfaction of being able to help others, while the Dementia Group has been able to enjoy the work done in the new premises.

For more information on the Dementia Carers Group visit www.dementiacarers.co.uk

June 2010

The first in the market to create the latest version of the HOPS Smart ticketing management system in accordance with ITSO specifications.

Ecebs is proud to announce the certification of its Paragon HOPS product to version 2.1.4 of the ITSO specification. The product is available now- with Nottingham City being among the first of Ecebs’ customers to take advantage of this release. The existing 2.1.3 Paragon HOPS system, already provided by Ecebs, will be smoothly updated to the new 2.1.4 version.

James Bloor, Principal Officer of Nottingham’s Citycard Scheme commented:

‘Nottingham City is delighted to be able to take advantage of the upgrades that Ecebs is providing. It ensures that our transport scheme will be aligned to the latest levels of compliance to ITSO. This places the Nottingham Citycard scheme at the forefront of the U.K. Smart card Ticketing rollout, backed by the Department For Transport’.

Version 2.1.4 of the ITSO specification was released by ITSO in February of this year. In completion of the 2.1.4 certification, Ecebs is now the first to achieve certification to both 2.1.3 specifications and 2.1.4 specifications after their release by ITSO. This clearly demonstrates Ecebs commitment to continuous improvement of its ITSO products- as part of the latest specification. As a result, the technical excellence and ITSO expertise to achieve this in just two months after the specification was published is outstanding.

The new release of Paragon to version 2.1.4 of the ITSO specification makes great sense since it provides the ITSO market with the most up-to-date features available. What does this mean for any scheme operator? By implementing Paragon Hops, a scheme operator has confidence that their operation will be executed effortlessly, leveraging on the considerable experience that Ecebs has gained from operating previous versions of the HOPS. Paragon HOPS 2.1.4 includes the updated version of IPE TYP 24 for storing ticket data for use in the rail industry and a complete reconfiguration of the remote fulfilment of ticketing has also been carried out. In addition, the facility to manage complex capping is supported, which performs an automatic ‘best value’ action for the most cost-efficient ticket.

Ecebs has strong and considerable expertise of ITSO products and technology as well as a wider knowledge of smart technology and its use in the transport industry and beyond. Ecebs created and developed the ITSO Secure Application Module (ISAM) used in all ITSO transactions, the ITSO Security Management System (ISMS), and was awarded the first HOPS certificate by ITSO. In addition, Ecebs has a range of ITSO compliant smart cards and card management and issuance products available. This latest release further strengthens the Ecebs product range and cements its place as a leader in the smart card market within the U.K.

Ecebs is uniquely positioned as a supplier of a wide range of components that are required to complete an ITSO smart ticketing environment. The HOPS itself is available in all versions as licensed software or fully outsourced and managed by Ecebs’ support team.

September 2009

An ISO 9001 approved QMS, with its formalised, management led; company wide integration was identified as the route towards business success for our customers and continuous improvement within our own organisation.

“This concept has been embraced by everyone throughout Ecebs, and is a key part of our culture”, commented Ecebs Managing Director, Alan Moody.

The Scope of our approval is defined as:

“The Design and development of application software, subsequent deployment and support”. This summarises the business activities of Ecebs.

Our chosen assessment body is BSI, and we hold the registration number FM 544108.

More information can be found by visiting the BSI website.

June 2009

Ecebs is delighted to announce that Nottingham City Council has selected the Ecebs Paragon HOPS managed service on which to base further development of their successfl Nottingham Citycard scheme.

James Bloor, Principal Officer of Nottingham’s Citycard Scheme said, “We selected Ecebs as our ITSO delivery partner due to their unparalleled experience in the ITSO world. The breadth of their ITSO portfolio and associated smart solutions means that we have chosen a ‘safe pair of hands’, as well as giving us access to exciting innovative solutions as the Citycard develops and the ITSO specification matures and progresses.”

Paul May, Ecebs’ Business Development Manager said, “This is great news. I’m really pleased that Nottingham City Council has chosen to work with Ecebs. I’m excited to be involved in the ambitious plans that the City has, which builds on their previous successes. Nottingham’s decision is testament to the vast ITSO knowledge bank that Ecebs has built up in real-life high volume schemes. This knowledge and experience has been captured and distilled into our Paragon ITSO product set. Our Paragon HOPS offers the most feature rich yet user friendly service and provides the functionality which we know successful projects require and thereby delivers tangible and quantifiable benefits. I look forward to further announcements of successful milestones with Nottingham.”

About Nottingham City and the Citycard

Citycard is Nottingham City Council’s well established, successful and genuinely multi-functional smart card scheme. With over 200,000 cards in circulation, it offers different advantages to various segments and brands:-

Adult Citycard

Available free of charge to both residents and non residents aged between 18 and 59, the Adult Citycard gives holders a range of benefits including up to 10% off many activities at City leisure centres and access to all Nottinghamshire libraries and the services they provide. Adult Citycards can also have travel on NCT (bus) and NET (tram) added to them at discounted rates!

Senior Citycard

Available to Nottingham City residents aged 60 years and over, the Senior Citycard gives holders free bus and NET (tram) travel in Nottingham, as well as free local bus in England (as part of the ENCTS). Senior Citycard holders also benefit from a discount of up to 50% at City leisure centres. As with all other types of Citycard, the Senior Citycard also acts as a library card.

Mobility Citycard

Available to Nottingham City residents with a qualifying disability, the Mobility Citycard gives holders free bus and NET (tram) travel in Nottingham as well as free local bus in England (as part of the ENCTS). Senior Citycard holders also benefit from a discount of up to 50% at City leisure centres. As with all other types of Citycard, the Mobility Citycard also acts as a library card.

Under 11 Citycard and Citycard 360

Younger people can get a Citycard Under 11 (up to 10 years old) or a Citycard 360 (11-17 years old). As well as the same benefits as other Citycards (library card, leisure centre discounts and reduced price bus and tram travel) these cards also allows the card holder to get free swimming at any of the City’s 8 Leisure centres with swimming pools

Retail Discounts

As well as the benefits listed above, all Citycard holders benefit from a range of discounts at over 100 shops, restaurants and other businesses in and around Nottingham. In most cases getting the discount is as simple as showing your Citycard when you make a purchase or order a service. The places you can save money at include large companies such as House of Fraser, Subway and Specsavers, as well as local businesses and attractions.

For more information, please visit http://www.citycardnottingham.co.uk OR Contact Ecebs

December 2008

Ecebs latest ITSO AMS/HOPS, named the Paragon HOPS has gained acceditation from ITSO for version 2.1.3 of the ITSO specification.

The Paragon HOPS is fully certified for all ITSO functions; Messaging, Asset Management, Collection and Forwarding, Accounts Management and Services, and has multi-operator settlement options.

Commenting on the announcement, Alan Moody, Ecebs Commercial Director said, “We are delighted to be the first to market with a 2.1.3. Certified system. It has a comprehensive feature set and is backwards compatible with previous specification versions.”

The Paragon HOPS has a number of additional benefits to provide a highly scalable architecture and has been designed for high throughput transaction processing. Its modular design allows customers to have the option to utilise one, more or all functions.

Alan Moody continued, “The Paragon HOPS will be available as a user operator option if needed but a full service provision is also available from Ecebs. The intention is to be flexible to meet the customers evolving requirements”