For those unsure what a smart campus is, its’ one that is digitally connected, using apps, smart cards (also known as ‘key cards’) and other such ‘smart’ features to enhance the experience of students, faculty and even employees while in the area. Here are just five benefits why every campus should aim to be smart campus as soon as possible:

EDUCATION ENHANCEMENTS

Using apps to provide extra reading or to run semi-spontaneous pop-up quizzes can be a great boon to over-worked teaching staff. Interactive quizzes are great: they can be disseminated through the app, no need for costly printing and paper wastage, and the results can be seen instantly by the tutor, providing instant feedback on areas of concern or about students who are not as engaged as they should be.

DON’T GO HUNGRY

Students can preload credit onto their app or smart card, and then use these features to purchase food at the on-campus cafeterias or from vending machines in dorms or libraries using contactless technology. There is no need for a student to risk carrying – and perhaps losing – their back cards and cash, when they can use the smart card that is safely on a lanyard around their neck. And no one will need to go hungry because they have forgotten their wallet at home.

ALL-IN-ONE ACCESS

Many universities and colleges are already using smart cards for student cards or mobile phones for registration purposes. Why not combine all the services into one place, choosing either the key card or the app, depending on the needs of the student body and thus allowing them to use library services, make payments for food and drink, get printing done, perhaps even purchase university branded clothing, access dormitories or rooms, and so much more? This will offer a more streamlined service for the students and consolidate work for employees who would have previously had to maintain all these separate services.

SAFE AND SOUND

Keep campus secure with building access only being provided to those with authority to enter. Smart cards can be easily adjusted by administrators, giving and taking away access as needed, without the cards needing to be handed in. This means that there is no need for security personnel to ensure trespassers don’t access too far, and perfect records will be kept of who has accessed buildings and when – something that is very important in, for example, science labs where experiments must be monitored for interference or contamination.

PARKING WARS

Parking spots are hot ticket items on campus as there tend to be more cars wanting to park than there are handy spaces. Having to use a cell phone or swipe a smart card in order to access car parks around campus make it much easier to monitor and enforce the institutions parking regulations, denying entry to the unregistered and ticketing or warning those who have overstayed or parked in a reserved spot.

Technology can seem like a blight sometimes, but it is a huge benefit in many areas of life. Making campus life easier and more comfortable is just one example.

 

If you’d like to find out how we can support your college or university with smart cards then get in touch today!