Centralized Smartcard Personalization Management System
Advanced Smartcard Personalization Platform
"Globe Software’s commitment, transparency and expertise, is a force for developing innovative solutions in Fintech and Telco Industry."
Amir Hashemi
CTO @ ALCE
ABOUT THE CLIENT
Alce is a world wide corporation specialized in the production of Smart Cards and development of technology aiming to identify people, protect their data and secure their transactions. They serve multiple industries including banking, telecom, transport, entertainment and secure identity. They work from Sao Paulo, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Luxemburg, Amman, Dubai and Dar es Salaam.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Industry
FINANCIAL SERVICES, TELECOM CLIENT
Business Model
TIME & MATERIALS
Client Location
GLOBAL PROVIDER, BASED IN EUROPE
Tech Stack
Project Duration
ONGOING, 30 MONTHS
HIGHLIGHTS
DEEP INDUSTRY STANDARDS EXPERTISE
Our team rapidly immersed itself in multiple international standards including ISO, ETSI, and PCI, mastering both conceptual frameworks and practical implementations for smartcard production.
EXTENSIVE COLLABORATION
Close collaboration with the client’s teams ensured rapid alignment, iterative development, and continual refinement of the solution.
SDK MASTERY ACROSS DIVERSE MACHINERY
We engaged with a broad array of manufacturer-specific SDKs for various smartcard production machinery, from chip personalization to engraving, laminating, and instant issuance.
HYBRID TECHNOLOGY STACK
Our solution seamlessly integrated multiple technologies, from high-level Java servers, web and desktop apps. From RESTful microservices to C++ DLLs interfacing via WinHTTP and other low-level libraries.
OPTIMIZED PERFORMANCE & SCALABILITY
We fine-tuned performance to handle massive data loading scenarios, optimizing each component for maximum throughput, critical for 24x7 production environments.
ROBUST CRYPTOGRAPHIC SOLUTIONS
Developed advanced cryptographic algorithms supporting diverse key management scenarios, integrating seamlessly with symmetric/asymmetric keys, HSMs, and Java and C++ cryptography stacks.
CLIENT GOALS
The client aimed to address key challenges in smartcard personalization with a focus on centralization, flexibility, performance, security, and scalability.
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Centralize smartcard personalization management, simplifying complex technological details.
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Enable flexible production capabilities across multiple factory types and equipment.
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Optimize system performance and stability for uninterrupted production cycles.
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Implement comprehensive cryptographic management to meet security and compliance requirements.
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Establish a robust, scalable infrastructure adaptable to evolving technological demands.
THE STRATEGY
Detailed Standards Analysis
Performed extensive analysis and documentation of international standards (ISO, ETSI, PCI) to guide the development of a compliant solution.
Collaborative Development
Continuous collaboration with client teams, facilitating iterative solution development and ensuring alignment with business objectives.
Technology Abstraction
Developed abstraction layers enabling the definition of smartcard personalization processes independently from the underlying machine technology.
Performance Optimization
Implemented thorough performance tuning across technology stacks, significantly enhancing throughput and efficiency.
Architectural Design Excellence
Carefully designed a robust and modular architecture, effectively integrating dozens of heterogeneous, cross-platform components and modules to ensure scalability, maintainability, and optimal performance.
TECHNOLOGY STACK
Frontend:
Java Web (JMIX, Vaadin Flow), Java desktop (Swing)
Backend:
Java, Spring, Microservices, RESTful APIs
Middleware:
DLLs, C, C++, WinHTTP
Scripting & Automation:
Python, Bash, PowerShell
Databases:
SQL (relational models), NoSQL
Cryptography:
HSM integration and firmware customization, Java Crypto, Symmetric/Asymmetric Algorithms, key derivation and diversification
SERVICES OFFERED
Business & Technical Analysis
Architectural design
Custom Software Development
Performance Engineering & Optimization
Cryptographic Implementation
SDK Integration Across Machinery
Quality Assurance & Testing
Deployment & Integration
Ongoing Support & Maintenance
On-site deployment on client’s facilities
THE OUTCOMES
Achieved centralized smartcard production management, significantly simplifying operations.
Designed and implemented a cross-platform and machine-independent SDK for Smartcard script developers.
Enhanced production flexibility, enabling seamless operations across diverse machinery and locations.
Improved system throughput and stability, meeting 24x7 operational demands with peak efficiency.
Delivered robust cryptographic functionality, ensuring security compliance and operational integrity.
Strengthened client capabilities with a scalable, adaptable technology framework.
Some of its key technical features include:
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Comprehensive abstraction layer for smartcard personalization
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High-performance data processing capabilities for continuous 24x7 production
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Flexible integration with diverse manufacturer SDKs
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Advanced cryptographic algorithm implementations tailored for varying scenarios