Russian systems integrator IT of Moscow says it is to implement what it calls the ‘Smart City’ project in a small Russian city. IT is the sole Russian distributor of Product Technology Inc which is a developer of Smart Card technology. The project is in a small town in the Tyumen region, which has a population of 60,000, but IT refuses to say where. The company says it is negotiating with other small city administrations and the cost of the project varies from $30 to $50 per card. The cards are from French company GemPlus SA and terminal equipment is from Verifone Inc. The project was developed in Ireland and has been adapted and localised by IT and the Irish firm PTI. Cashless systems are particularly well suited to smaller Russian factory towns as most of the inhabitants work in the same enterprise and they are prone to periodic shortages of bank notes.
