Smart Bits: Brussels Firm Named A Reseller for Proton

FICS, an international banking systems company, has become a reseller for the Proton smart card organization.

FICS, which recently agreed to be acquired by Security First Technologies of the United States, will be offering Proton for Windows NT. This is a smart card management package developed by Proton World International, a joint venture of the Belgian payments association Banksys, ERG Ltd. of Australia, Interpay of the Netherlands, American Express Co., and Visa International.

In addition, a Proton electronic purse feature will be added to FICS' Retail Internet Banking software, meaning that a bank's customers would have single-click access to balance checking, cash reloading, and other smart card services.

"This new partnership enhances our retail Internet offering," said Herve Couturier, FICS' head of marketing and product development. "Smart cards are evolving to become a standard on-line payment method, and it is vital that the links to home and small-office Internet applications be as smooth as possible."

Proton and FICS are both based in Brussels.