Smart Bits: Brazilian Firm Orders Intellect's Terminals

The Americas Group of Intellect Inc., an Australian-owned terminal manufacturer, said Itacomp Industria of Sao Paulo, Brazil, has ordered 20,000 smart card terminals.

The deal is worth $7 million, the manufacturer said. The point of sale device accepts credit, debit, and chip cards.

The use of chip cards is beginning in Sao Paulo, a city of 10 million, through a closed system that enables consumers to pay for movies and concession stand items. Brazil's limited telecommunications infrastructure creates an opening for off-line smart cards.

"You're going from a very much paper-based system to a very sophisticated payment option," said Jeff Gander, vice president of marketing at Intellect Inc.

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