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April 2008 • Volume 13 Number 4
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Member Profile: Scheidt & Bachmann USA
1. What are Scheidt & Bachmann's main business profile and offerings? Scheidt & Bachmann is a recognized international leader in four distinct business disciplines: Parking and Leisure Center Control Systems, Fare Collection Systems, Rail Switching and Control Systems, and Petrol Pump Systems. In the United States, the two primary business units are Parking and Fare Collection Systems. With the continued emergence of automated processes in both the parking and fare collection industries, the demand for flexibility and customer service is greater than ever. The strength of Scheidt & Bachmann is our ability to meet this demand with innovation matched with practical implementation. We are a privately held company not forced to adhere to the fluctuating whims of ledger driven board members. This allows us to partner with our clients and develop solutions with the proper perspective. From consultative services and operational analysis through solution implementation, S&B is well positioned as a full service provider. With a client base including the Long Island Rail Road, Logan Airport, San Francisco International Airport, the MBTA, and the City of San Jose, we have a proven track record of meeting the demands of our clients and establishing S&B as a market leader. 2. What role does smart card technology play in supporting Scheidt & Bachmann's business? The overall technical ability of smart card technology provides a flexible, secure, and cost effective credentialing device that has extraordinary potential in both the financial and access realms. Whether it is an open market application such as with credit cards utilizing smart card technology or closed environment application such as the MBTA CharlieCard, end-users can realize payment and access features with a single credential. System operators are subsequently able to provide greater usage flexibility with more concise data capture and audit control. This automated processing is a core component of the S&B business approach. This is evident in our use of the MIFARE application in Europe and the Octopus application in the Asian Rim. In the parking industry, the use of smart card technology is expanding beyond payment usage. Practical applications such as parking amenity programs, enhanced access control, and flexible validation programs are components well serviced using smart card technology. The S&B platform includes these capabilities and we anticipate the use of smart card processes will grow in application and penetration. 3. What trends do you see developing in the market that Scheidt & Bachmann hopes to capitalize on? First, we see the usage of smart cards in open market application growing. The penetration of smart cards as payment credentials (credit cards) is such that our current equipment is configured to use those credentials now. However, it is the closed environment application of smart cards that we see as a more immediate market trend. For example, if an agency has a large distribution of smart cards for use in a fare collection application, it is relatively simple to expand the usage of those credentials to other related components such as parking or event access. This allows an agency to offer a true single credential for multiple applications. The customer service feature is self explanatory. However, the operator level enhancements are extraordinary. The capture of customer information, the ability to mine activity data, the financial gains that can be realized by capture of revenue pre-event, the reduction of cash handling, and the concise audit control are all real and practical operational advantages. 4. What obstacles to growth do you see that must be overcome to capitalize on these opportunities? We see two primary obstacles, though they are related, that may delay the overall penetration of smart cards. First, many system operators are still ambivalent regarding the public acceptance of smart cards. This can only be overcome with greater public awareness and ultimate acceptance of smart cards. We have seen improvement and progress on this front and are optimistic that the progress will continue. The second obstacle we see is the cost of conversion to utilize smart card technology. In many cases, clients are reluctant to invest in new components and the associated infrastructure to accept smart cards if the usage of those card is marginal. S&B (as well as other suppliers) have developed special programs the ease the conversion process. 5. What do you see are the key factors driving smart card technology in the market? The primary key factor in driving smart card technology is promotion and education of both the public and the system operators. We see greater awareness now than there was 2 years ago but there is still a long way to go. Ultimately if the card holder and the system operators understand the advantages of smart cards, they will gladly accept its application. 6. How do you see your involvement in the Alliance and the Transportation Council helping Scheidt & Bachmann? The Council has been an extraordinary resource in providing information regarding trends and processes relating to overall transportation and smart card issues. The meetings have been forthright and targeted. The information provided is empirical and practical. The Council is recognized in the overall transportation industry and on multiple occasions we have quoted information provided by the Council. In addition, we have been able to network with industry peers and associates. The knowledge base and experience of the members provide a wonderful database of industry information. 7. As vice chair - parking of the Alliance Transportation Council, what do you see are the key goals for the Council in the coming year? I think the goal of the Council is to continue to expand the overall awareness and acceptance of automated processes within the transportation industries. There are several target opportunities such as other professional organizations (IPI, ASIS, NPA, AAAE) that would gladly participate in providing technology based seminars.
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This month, Smart Card Talk spoke with Thomas Wunk, Vice President of Operations for Scheidt & Bachmann USA Inc. Mr. Wunk is a Certified Administrator of Public Parking and teaches a number of sessions for the IPI CAPP certification process. A graduate of the State University of New York system, Mr. Wunk has been in the Parking and Access Control industry since 1973. He has developed and provided consultative, operational, and technical training sessions for the IPI, ASIS, and the AAAE. He has served on several related industry boards and technical committees. His background includes the design, application analysis, implementation, and subsequent commissioning of sophisticated systems. Projects he has worked on include embassies (both domestic and foreign), military bases, airports, transportation authorities, academic and medical campuses, and commercial establishments. Mr. Wunk is also currently Vice Chair - Parking for the Smart Card Alliance Transportation Council.
