The Future of Smart Cards in Zambia

For many of us, smart cards are now part of our daily lives. We rely on their technology to gain access to our office buildings and access and pay for utility services. But as smart card technology continues to evolve, there are still some more interesting new applications in the pipeline.

A case in point: The Zambia Electricity supply corporation ZESCO was experiencing repeated problem of accumulative electricity bills by most customers. The company introduced prepaid meters using smart card technology and the rest is history.

Another new and interesting use of smart card technology will soon be found within the Ndola City. The local authority was also struggling to effectively manage parking in the central business area in order to maximize revenue collection. The existing system of parking attendants alone was vulnerable to pilferage.

Under the partnership with city parking solutions, which would be launched in the city, if successful, motorists will see the first ever digital parking meters in Zambia. Motorists will simply purchase a city parking card pre-loaded with credit. After parking, the driver will insert the parking card in the smart card reader. The card reader verifies that there is sufficient money on that card, and when the driver selects the desired parking time, the money is deducted from the card.

Undoubtedly, this initiative is the first of its kind in Zambia. It will not only make vehicle parking more convenient and efficient but it will significantly improve the revenue collection and accounting at the local authority.

The scope for technology to improve asset management, asset trucking and access control to deter theft, drive operational efficiencies is virtually unbounded. It seems likely that the potential for technology to help us just do that in Zambia is limited only by our own imagination.

Prosperity Agencies is already working with some major utility companies in Zambia that are keen to leverage the benefits of Bar Code asset tags to increase efficiency and asset traceability with Barcode Labeling and Asset Management Software.

About the Author:

Fixed Asset Consultant at Prosperity Agencies Limited with over 10 years practical experience in physical verification, bar-coding of assets and fixed asset software implementation +260 211 239859

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