1. A method for automating the personalization of a batch of smart cards that originates with a smart card issuer, said method comprising: executing a personalization assistant software tool, said software tool including a default member profile having default values for smart card features, a smart card feature being a parameter representing a business requirement of said smart card issuer dictating smart card usage; providing a user with a plurality of queries regarding said smart card features, said queries originating from said software tool; receiving from the user, responses to the plurality of queries, said responses being received by said software tool and reflecting smart card features desired by said smart card issuer; matching each of said responses with an output data value, said matching being performed by said software tool, each of said output data values representing one of said smart card features and being suitable for personalizing a smart card; modifying said default member profile to include said matched output data values, said output data values replacing corresponding said default values for smart card features; and generating a personalization data file from said modified default member profile, wherein said personalization data file is suitable for personalizing said batch of smart cards and provides said smart card features on each smart card in said batch of smart cards by way of said output data values.