Smart Cards Make For Smart ROI

When you think of cutting-edge technology, Erie, PA – where Business Solutions is headquartered – is not the first place you'd expect to find it. However, a large smart card installation is in progress right down the road from us in the Erie school district. Not only is it great writing about emerging technologies, it's even better writing about stories that are close to home.

The school district, which is home to approximately 12,230 students and 1,400 faculty and staff, is in the final phases of installing a smart card-based photo ID system from DataCard (Minnetonka, MN). According to Mary Jo Cornell, president of systems integrator LINSTAR, Inc. (Buffalo, NY), the project began about 18 months ago. "We were pursuing the Erie School District as an account for student IDs," Cornell explains. "Lucky for us, the district was looking for an integrator to provide an access control system that would work with the school's lunch program and library system. The district was insistent on working with a single-source provider and having on-site support," she explains. Talks began in February 1999, and the actual installation started in March 2000. It has turned into one of our most involved projects. Cornell says the project's scope scared much of the competition away.

Jim Barker, Erie School District superintendent, wanted a system that would also handle building and Internet access – visually, and eventually electronically – as well as time and attendance needs for staff and students. The smart cards from INFINEER (Fairfield, CT) are at the heart of the installation and are expected to be the key to a quick return on investment (ROI).

The Nuts And Bolts Of The Project
The solution includes DataCard's Magna ID card printers, IDWorks software, Olympus digital cameras with a DataCard interface, and INFINEER point of sale (POS) terminals and software for the lunch programs. Eventually, specific library functions will be integrated into the smart card's chip. However, the current system runs on bar-coded technology, so a bar code has been added to the back of each student's ID until the library is upgraded.

According to Cornell, the most difficult aspect of the installation has been identifying expectations and keeping communication lines open. "Renovations have been occurring in the district at the same time as this project," explained Cornell. "Therefore, we have worked with many project teams on everything from electrical work to engineering design to make this installation come together. We've also worked on network requirements. All related information will be stored on a central server."

Reaping The Benefits
First and foremost, the school district is pleased with the prospect of each student wearing a visual ID. Thankfully for them, the students are receptive to the idea.

"The kids think the idea is awesome," Cornell depicts. "They keep asking the faculty and staff when their cards will be ready. It's much easier to do an installation when people are excited about the technology you're providing."

"Our students' safety is our top priority," Superintendent Barker comments. "The ID cards will vary from school to school, so we will be able to tell if an unauthorized person is on the premises or if a visiting student is causing a disturbance."

The first batch of cards was printed at an undisclosed, centralized location. The school district contracted the school photographer to take the initial photos. "We wanted the pictures to look good and to make the students comfortable with the badging process," Barker continues." Card distribution began in May. Seniors and eighth graders were given cards without integrated chips as a cost-saving measure, since their cards would only be used for a limited time.

ROI And Future Plans
The installation's price tag runs near $200,000, but Barker expects to see an ROI within two years. Not only does the solution provide a physical form of identity, it also gives faculty and staff more efficient ways of monitoring students. Rosters can be printed – accompanied by students' pictures – for homerooms, substitute teachers, and field trips. The cards will also work as an attendance tracking solution for students who are late to school or need to leave early. Plans are in the works for the elementary schools to receive smart cards in the fall.

Questions about this article? E-mail the author at NancyS@corrypub.com.