We'd like to invite you to a free ColorID Biometric Dining Solution webinar on Tuesday, April 21nd at 2:00 pm EST. During the 30 minute presentation, you’ll learn how easy and affordable it is to implement our biometric dining solution to significantly speed up the lines in your dining halls and help reduce costs from ID cards being passed back.
Some advantages of our Biometric Dining Solution include:
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED - CONTACT [email protected] IF YOU'D LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN FUTURE PRESENTATIONS OF THIS SOLUTION.
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Check out ColorID’s upcoming trade shows through the beginning of May.
Over the past 15 years, ColorID has become a highly recommended supplier of solutions for security, identification, access control, biometrics and transaction management. Though primarily focused on specific North American markets, ColorID also provides these solutions to organizations around the world. The company’s highly knowledgeable and customer-focused sales and product management teams help customers select the best products and services from well-known and innovative manufacturers to meet their requirements. Also, the company’s engineering team provides exceptional support for the life of those products. Visit the ColorID team at the 2015 NACCU Conference, booth #308 and learn more about Contactless Cards, Mobile Credentials, Biometric Dining Applications, Transactions Solutions and more!
This year we will be concentrating on a number of new and exciting products and solutions. The items below will help your campus move to the next step in your identification program. We are here to educate you on the latest and greatest technologies in our industry. Come ready to ask any and all questions at our booth # 308! COLORID IS EXHIBITING THE FOLLOWING CONTACTLESS CARD TECHNOLOGIES - Ask your questions on technology migrations and what your smart card options are. We can offer any of the latest card technologies with the service & support your organization deserves. Also, check out our full line of secure ID printers that we will be exhibiting during the conference. We will be exhibiting all the ID printer manufacturers in one booth (Datacard, Fargo, Zebra, Nisca and more)! MOBILE CREDENTIALS – Curious about incorporating a mobile credential at your campus? It’s not only possible, but can also provide a level of convenience to your campus. Touch base with us at NACCU to learn more about issuing & managing mobile credentials on your current system. BIOMETRIC DINING SOLUTION - The ColorID Biometric Dining Solution streamlines and secures access to dining halls. Using the template derived from a photo of the eyes, the system identifies each individual and sends their card number to the card system. ColorID’s iris solution fits perfectly with board plans, stored value programs and access control systems. Stop by our booth to see live demonstrations of the system in place with iris technology & turnstiles. LASTLY DON’T FORGET OUR PRESENTATIONS, LEARNING LABS AND LIVE DEMO Contactless Cards or Phones – What’s A Campus To Do? presented by David Stallsmith of ColorID Educational Sessions Block 5 / Grand Ballroom D Tuesday, March 10th 11:00AM – 12:00PM Biometrics Are Coming! presented by Todd Brooks of ColorID, Richard Wynn of Georgia Southern University and Danny Anthes of George Mason University. Educational Sessions Block 6 / Room Maurepas Tuesday, March 10th 1:30PM –2:30PM Help, We Have to Re-Card our Campus! presented by Tim Nyblom of ColorID Learning Labs Session 1/ Exhibit Hall Wednesday, March 11th 9:30AM – 10:00AM In Booth #308 Live Demo – Biometric Dining Solution! presented by David Stallsmith and Todd Brooks of ColorID Live Demo in Booth #308 / Exhibit Hall Wednesday, March 11th 11:00AM – 11:30AM This year our NACCU Conference team includes Danny Smith, Tim Nyblom, Mark Degan, David Stallsmith, Todd Brooks, Alicia Bensley, Matt Genovese and Brian English. We look forward in seeing you in New Orleans! ColorID co-hosted a Campus Identity Summit at Harvard University on Tuesday December 9th 2014. The summit featured a content rich, interactive format with open discussions and insights from industry and institutional leaders. The exclusive one-day event was planned and presented specifically for those working in the Higher Education Campus Card Industry.
Danny Smith of ColorID stated, "We were delighted with the great turn out. Schools from all over the country traveled to Harvard and post-summit feedback we've received has been exceptional. Harvard University has been a great institutional partner of ColorID for many years and we appreciate the opportunity to collaborate in such a prestigious academic setting." Topics that were covered in the Campus Identity Summit were; The Future of Contactless Cards, Biometrics in the Dining Hall, Mobile Credentials and Securing Access to your Workstation. The summit was enthusiastically received by all attendees, several of whom shared the following comments: Susan Richelson from Harvard University: "It was beautifully presented and so well executed in every detail - very polished and informative. I made some great contacts today and as usual learned a great deal from David (and all of you!) and everyone sharing their best practices. You brought together a terrific group of diverse educational institutions, banking and NACAS today despite the lovely weather." Steve Nichols of George Washington University: "The recent Campus Identity Summit hosted by ColorID and Harvard University was a wonderful event. By combining networking opportunities with peer academic institutions as well as providing informative presentations on emerging security trends, the event proved to be well worth our time. Thanks again to Danny and his team for organizing a great summit." Stephanie Perez of University of Arizona added: "The Harvard Summit hosted by Color ID was an excellent learning experience in the smart card technology industry. Italso presented a great networking opportunity and a chance to share information with the pros." If you'd like to learn more about hosting a ColorID Campus Identity Summit on your campus, contact us today. Check out some of the images from the ColorID Campus Identity Summit from Harvard University. Summit attendee's included schools from all over the country and featured interactive presentations from industry and institutional experts.
If you'd like to learn more about the hosting a ColorID Campus Identity Summit on your campus, contact us today.
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What to do when it's time to replenish card stock
CR80News & ColorID article series continues... Every university has to manage its card stock supply, and though it's not the most exciting task for a card office to undertake, being left without a sufficient supply of cards can bring a university's card issuance to a grinding halt. Depending on the size of the institution, the type of credential, and even the time of year, replenishing card stock is more of a process than you may think. ColorID's corporate marketing manager, Mark Degan, offers his insights to better explain the factors that a university should consider when it comes time to restock. Keeping stock When it comes to card stock supplies, the first consideration for any university card office should be the amount of card stock needed to keep the operation running smoothly. "Depending on the university's orientation sizes, as well as the functions that they are using their ID cards for will help determine the amount of card stock it should keep handy," explains Degan. "I would suggest having at least six months worth of card stock in house at any given time." Housing six months worth of card stock should provide a significant cushion for a university to accomplish its average operations, but it is also important to account for potential abnormalities in card stock consumption. "A number of issues can come up that could increase your card consumption," says Degan. "The most common are large orientation classes, re-carding, card stock failure, bad batches or even an ID printer malfunctioning and requiring reprints." Degan explains that the size of the institution may also play a role in the restocking process, as larger universities do usually have a larger replenish size. Alternatively, larger universities can order more frequently rather than placing a single, larger-quantity order. Know your lead time In addition to the many operational challenges that a card office may face, another key consideration for replenishing card stock is lead time. As Degan explains, a card office must take lead time into account because delivery time frames will vary depending on the type of card stock. "Non-custom, non-technology, or blank, card stock is usually available in sleeves of 500 in a number of options and varieties," explains Degan. "For blank card stock, the standard lead time is one week, and if for some reason it isn't in stock, a new order could take up to four weeks." Next on the list is custom, non-technology card stock. "These card stock orders usually take between 2-4 weeks, but in the summer months, universities should assume 6-8 weeks," says Degan. According to Degan, non-custom, technology card stock typically comes in sleeves of 250-500 and offers a number of options and varieties. "Standard lead time for this card stock is 1-2 weeks, but if it's out of stock a university should expect 4-6 weeks for manufacturing throughout the year and 6-8 weeks during the summer months," he adds. The lengthiest lead time can typically be found with custom, technology card stock. As Degan explains, these orders routinely take around 4-6 weeks, but in the summer months can balloon up to 6-10 weeks. Despite their varying lead times, Degan does explain that the type of card stock does not affect the overall order quantity, provided the university can afford to wait for the shipment to arrive. It's for this reason that planning ahead is crucial. Time is of the essence As previously mentioned, the time of year can factor into the amount of time it takes to process an order. With this in mind, Degan offers some advice for planning ahead. "The best time of the year to order card stock is from October to April," Degan explains. "After spring comes around, and throughout the summer months, lead times always increase because some universities forget to place their orders earlier, or have just realized they opened their last box of cards." Degan places a hard deadline on a restocking order. "The absolute latest that a university card office should wait to reorder card stock is six months worth of card supply," he says. "Waiting any longer than that will result in longer lead times and could make life a little more stressful." "We send our customers emails throughout the year with accurate lead times so they can plan ahead," says Degan. "Lead times can change very rapidly so be sure to ask at the time of your order what the current lead time is and if you need cards by a certain date to relay that to your provider." Ace up your sleeve Running out of card stock will bring any card office to its knees, halting all card issuance in its tracks. Knowing the lead time for your university's type of card stock is vital. While replenishing card stock likely isn't a daily thought for card office administrators, it's nonetheless a task worth considering. With just a little bit of planning in advance and an understanding of your university's needs, a card office can steer clear of catastrophe and avoid the bottom of the deck. ColorID will co-host a Campus Identity Summit at Harvard University, on Tuesday December 9th. The Summit agenda will feature a content rich, interactive format with panel discussions, insights and vision from industry and institutional experts. This exclusive event for only 75 attendees will be a single day experience tailored to those working in the Higher Education Campus Card Industry.
Danny Smith of ColorID stated, "We're extremely pleased to be back on Harvard's campus to discuss the newest identification technologies and trends with some of the foremost campus technology experts from across the US. Harvard University has been a great institutional partner of ColorID for many years and we appreciate the opportunity to collaborate in such a prestigious academic setting." David Stallsmith of ColorID emphasized the interactive nature of the event, saying "In addition to presenting industry news, we are designing the agenda to allow a lot of focused discussion among everyone in attendance. Be sure to bring your campus identity stories, experiences and questions." Topics for the Campus Identity Summit will include:
How universities are using biometrics in the dining hall.
For universities nationwide, getting students through the dining hall doors and to their daily meals is a constant struggle that requires a delicate balance of student convenience and throughput. Biometric applications have garnered demand in a number of locations across the contemporary college campus, particularly those locations where students don't want to carry their cards. But biometrics has extended beyond rec centers, athletic facilities and team locker rooms, as more universities are deploying the technology at campus dining halls. While a vast majority of universities use the campus card to facilitate dining hall entry, some institutions have decided to leverage biometrics at the dining hall door, enabling the students to be their own meal ticket. Today's Special "The dining hall application continues to be a hot topic for universities," says David Stallsmith, director of product management at ColorID. " Attendees at NACCU, NACAS, UBTech and several other higher education conferences have expressed great interest in biometrics technology this past year." As the technology continues to evolve, with both scanner hardware and matching algorithms becoming more robust, biometrics seems a viable alternative to the traditional campus card. According to Stallsmith, there are a few primary factors that contribute to the performance of a biometric dining system. "There's the quality of the sensors, the security of the matching algorithms built into the supporting software and the location of the stored templates - on card, in database or on device," says Stallsmith. "Moreover, you can also designate the the number of factors required - biometric alone, biometric and card or biometric and PIN." As Smallsmith makes clear however, there will always be a place for the student ID card. "We don't believe campuses are ready to ditch ID cards, but there are certain applications where biometrics seem to work better and faster than mag stripe or contactless cards," Stallsmith explains. A Menu of Modalities In addition to its hardware and software evolution, biometrics as a medium has grown as well. Biometric modalities now range from the standard fingerprint to advanced vascular biometrics, keystroke recognition and even gait. Modality is just one of the many factors that contribute to the success of a biometric implementation, but it's an important consideration, nonetheless. What modality, then, is best suited to the university dining hall? ColorID offers fingerprint and palm vein sensors, as well as an iris recognition solution. Stallsmith believes it's the latter that holds the most promise in dining applications. "Of the current biometric modalities, iris recognition is usually the fastest and most accurate, especially for populations over 10,000," explains Stallsmith. "Iris is a one-to-many method of recognition, as opposed to palm vein or fingerprint that typically still require a one-to-one match." "The algorithms for fingerprint and palm vein aren't fast enough to match against a larger database, and thus requires a PIN or card to match against a template," adds Stallsmith. For dining hall applications where convenience is key, carrying an additional factor of authentication in the form of an ID card or a memorized PIN doesn't enhance the experience. One-to-many matching means that the iris systems can yield a match much quicker, making it an ideal modality for populations of 2,000 or more.Iris authentication is achieved by taking pictures of the eye and using the iris patterns to create unique numbers, called templates. These are then matched against all the templates in a database. Stallsmith explains that a typical iris identification transaction is completed in just two seconds, from approach to approval. "Across the board, we have found that iris recognition performs better than other modalities, though iris systems tend to be slightly more expensive," Stallsmith adds. An ever-present consideration, cost will likely be a sticking point for most institutions considering a biometric deployment at the dining hall. "High-quality biometric readers range anywhere from $800 to $3000, depending on the type of scanner," estimates Stallsmith. "There can also be software and integration costs." Stallsmith goes on to explain, however, that when used in high-throughput applications, sensor costs can be quickly distributed across the larger number of users.In practice, iris seems to be gaining momentum in the campus dining space.George Mason University has installed iris systems in all campus dining halls, and Stallsmith estimates that another six universities are in the planning and pilot phases for similar projects. At Georgia Southern University, more than 10,000 students have enrolled in an iris-based transaction system. To date, the university has logged some 1.2 million iris-based transactions since the biometric dining solution's implementation in the fall of 2013. Blending Flavors Selecting an affordable biometric solution is still only part of the concern for university administrators, as the integration process can be complicated without the proper preparation. "Biometric devices are typically built for access control and are designed to output a previously stored card number upon identification of each person," explains Stallsmith. "For implementation, you have to understand how to convert these card numbers into data that can be read by your university's POS terminals and other online devices." "Essentially, if the device has an input, we can get the right kind of data into it," says Stallsmith. "Once the POS terminal or card system receives the card number, the validation process is the same as it would be for a mag stripe or contactless card." "Each user's card number is entered in the biometric system during enrollment, which can normally be done while the ID card is being printed," he adds. Soup's On So long as there are hungry students on campus, there will be lines at the dining hall. Being able to get students through the door and to the dinner table as quickly and efficiently as possible, then, will be a vital concern. Meanwhile, the use of biometrics on the contemporary college campus continues to grow in both adoption and variety of use. As iris, fingerprint and other modalities continue to evolve, dining hall applications could be the latest to benefit from the technology. CR80News Article :http://www.cr80news.com/2014/11/05/be-your-own-meal-ticket?issue=cr80news_20141105 Check out the latest ColorID & CR80News joint article series below or by clicking the following link. Pick a card, any card / A definitive rundown of cardstock materials and considerations. "Another way to tell if you have a composite cardstock is by bending a card back and forth," says Brooks. "Regardless of how many times you bend a card back and forth it should not tear in half as a PVC card will." Quantifying durability is a challenge, but lifespan can give an indication. "One manufacturer's testing shows between 3 and 8 times longer life than PVC for their different composite formulations," he says. Play to your hand Understandably, there are cost differences between the various materials as well, adding another layer to the decision-making process. "Cost differences can vary depending on the manufacturer and the formulation they use for their composite material," says Brooks. "On average, a composite card will cost twice as much as 100% PVC." Cost and user wear and tear aside, a university has to print its cardstock. This is yet another factor to mull when selecting the material. "PVC cards are very well suited for direct-to-card (DTC) type plastic card printers, while Composite cards are better suited than PVC for Reverse Transfer printing and overlaminating," explains Brooks. "This is due primarily to the higher amounts of heat that are generated from these processes." "PVC cards tend to warp easily in high-heat conditions, and although it's possible to print lamination on PVC cardstock, I don't suggest this route," Brooks adds. There are a number of considerations that a campus card office must navigate when delivering a robust and functional student credential. For instance, choosing the right printer, card technology and even the proper printing method are all vital concerns, but there is another decision that must be made that precludes each of these factors. The cardstock itself comes in a number of different flavors, each carrying benefits and limitations. As ColorID's project manager, Todd Brooks explains, selecting the right card material is a decision worth contemplating. Ante Up Campuses actually have options, and Brooks offers his list of things to things to consider. "A university must first consider the technologies it needs in its card," says Brooks. "Options include contact smart card chips for logging onto computers, contactless and prox chips for physical access, and magnetic stripes for payments and other uses." Brooks explains that the type of technology deployed on the card will affect what composition - or card material - you choose. "If you utilize a contact or contactless chip, I recommend a Composite or PC (Polycarbonate) cardstock because of how durable those materials are," Brooks explains. "Mag stripe users generally assume PVC is sufficient, however Composite cardstock will provide a much longer life span and thus a lower number of reprints." Despite the overwhelming popularity of PVC and Composite cardstock, there is an array of material options out there today. Brooks provides his top materials in order of popularity:
When it comes to telling the difference between the various materials, particularly PVC and Composite, some have questioned if there is a difference at all. Brooks explains that each card material does have its own characteristics. Plastic cards are made from laminated sheets of plastic, and in the case of PVC cards, each of these sheets are 100% PVC material. For Composite cards, some of the sheets are made up of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polyester resin material. "Depending on the formulation needed (60/40, 80/20, etc.), that will adjust the type of layer used and thickness of each layer," says Brooks. "Regardless, composite cards can dramatically increase the life of the card and are fair superior to 100% PVC cards." 'Its possible to tell the materials apart in other ways as well, and depending on the university desired specifications, this may be worth considering. "With PVC cardstock, you shouldn't be able to see the layers on the edge of the card and it should look like one solid core piece of material," explains Brooks. "Also, when handling a PVC card you should be able to snap the card in half after bending it back and forth over a dozen times or so. Likewise, Composite cardstock has its own telling features. "You may be able to see the layers," says Brooks. "It depends on if your manufacturer uses the same color tone materials or if they use the standard coloration the materials come in." As Brook explains, the color of the layers does not impact with the durability, as Composite cardstock will always be more durable than PVC. Shuffling the deck Let's lay all the cards on the table. Different card materials, by their nature, are better suited to certain deployments than others. Here's a definitive rundown. "Composite cardstock, regardless of its blend, will not be affected by severe cold or heat conditions, while at the same time its life span is very good at 4 or more years," explains Brooks. "The only con is that some Composite materials render blank, white cardstock more of a tinted color instead of true white." Alternatively, Composite's close competitor, 100% PVC cardstock is not so robust against extreme elements. "Under high heat or cold conditions PVC can became overly flexible or extremely brittle," says Brooks. "The average life span of a PVC card is lower at two to four years." Polycarbonate cardstock, PC for short, is a relatively new option to the masses, according to Brooks. "Polycarbonate is stronger than Composite, however you will need to utilize a Reverse Transfer or Laser Engraving printer, as Direct-To-Card printing will not work on this card surface," says Brooks. Even smaller universities routinely issue tens of thousands of cards. That's a lot of plastic. While there are options for the environmentally conscious campus, these materials have been not been used to wide degree on campus and care should be taken to learn about their limitations before selection. The first is recycled cardstock, which as Brooks explains, is exactly what it sounds like. "Semi-used or non-spec'd cardstock is shredded and reused for this stock," he says. "It's similar to 100% PVC in terms of wear and tear, though the coloration is not white, it features more of a grayish look." Another green option is biodegradable, or BIOPVC cardstock. "Biodegradable cardstock is essentially a 100% PVC cardstock but the polymers that bind the PVC granules together are biodegradable," explains Brooks. "The PVC will never decompose, but the card will revert back to a granule state after 5-7 years in the ground." Delving further into the biochemical realm, there's PLA cardstock. Short for polylactic acid, PLA cardstock is a plastic material derived from cornstarch. "Corn based cards are not 100% bio-gradable, they're estimated around 85%. Normally, the core of the card is PLA and the outside shell is PVC," Brooks explains. "Wear and tear is similar to both BIOPVC and 100% PVC, but is also affected by severe hot and cold conditions." But if science isn't your thing, and you have a flair for the old school, there's always wood. Sure they're flammable and not exactly the best option for regular, daily student use, but the wood card is a niche option nonetheless. "Believe it or not, wood cardstock is available in both laminated and non-laminated versions," says Brooks. "We do not suggest utilizing wood cards inside your ID printer because of the heat the printer generates. Wood cardstock does, however, make a great short-term ID for conferences or special events." Turn up trumps
While there are a number of factors to consider when issuing a quality student credential, selecting the proper card material is one of the foundational decisions that must be made. With a wide variety of material options - each with their own set of strengths and weaknesses - it can be easy to simply flip a coin and go with the first material you see. But cost, durability and environmental issues of plastic credentials make this decision one worth contemplating. |
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