GovTech, Digital Identity, Product Strategy
BCA: A Digital-Identity Strategy for a High-Security Printer
A digital-transformation strategy for a trusted federal high-security printer: a unified digital-credential platform, piloted as a white-labeled, state-friendly digital wallet.
Banknote of America (BCA)
- 01 Problem
A vendor built on traditional high-security printing risked being left behind as competitors offered end-to-end digital credential solutions.
- 02 Approach
A three-month research phase identified new digital revenue streams, then focused on a unified platform piloted with an early adopter as a white-labeled digital wallet.
- 03 Outcome
A validated MVP pilot path at roughly $500K versus a $2M+ traditional build, plus a strategic technology partnership and a new market position.
Introduction
BCA is a small, trusted vendor to the U.S. federal government that prints high-security items. Digital transformation brings both opportunity and real risk to a business built on physical printing.
The problem
BCA's reliance on traditional printing left it exposed as competitors moved to end-to-end digital solutions.
Approach
A three-month research phase identified new digital revenue streams: mobile driver's licenses, digital vital records, tax stamps, vehicle titles, e-visas, healthcare ID, and insurance mobile identity. The strategy: a unified platform that shares technology investment across all of them, starting with a technical pilot alongside an early adopter.
The digital-wallet pilot
A white-labeled, state-friendly digital credential wallet, taken through discovery, wireframes and prototypes, user personas (John and Aisha), and usability testing, with iOS and Android workflows for high-level demos. The main challenges were alignment with AAMVA standards and coordinating large technology partners.
Outcomes
- A strategic partnership with an overseas technology provider.
- An MVP pilot at ~$500K over 3-6 months, versus a traditional cycle at $2M+.
- Reduced data-management risk using AWS.
- Qualitative evidence of demand for mobile vital records (e.g., the LA Wallet precedent in Louisiana).
- A new market position for BCA.
Skills: Product Strategy, UX Research, UX Design, Digital Identity, Product Ownership.
