The use of smart cards is becoming more and more popular in universities and colleges across the world.

Offering a way to seamlessly store data and provide security clearance to staff and students alike, smart cards can act as a form of identification, communication and much more.

Smart cards will be the future, so in this article, our experts at Universal Smart Cards discuss the six best reasons for universities and colleges to start investing in this technology today.

Hygiene

Of course, while the world has been in the grip of the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic, the use of smart cards by universities and colleges offers a new level of hygiene.

Smart cards can be entirely contactless, and for hygiene purposes, that’s exactly what’s needed right now.

You can limit the spread of germs across campus by giving your students and staff a way to open doors, transfer funds, or make purchases without ever having to physically touch anything else.
 
Multipurpose usage

The most important reason to switch from traditional access methods across colleges and universities is the versatility that a smart card offers. This means that in one card, students and staff have access to the library, security clearance, a payment method, photographic identification, and much, much more.

Security

Smart cards are also incredibly secure, and have a fantastic array of security features and uses. For starters, this modern technology allows universities and colleges to keep data stored in a secure manner - this could be anything from birthdays to a student's university course.

What's more, smart cards can give students or staff different levels of access to different areas of campus, depending on their studies or their authorisation. They can also help students to keep track of their library books and to take them in or out securely.

Flexible and scalable

Smart cards offer a completely flexible and scalable solution, so are perfect for all sizes of establishment.

You can add as many cards and readers to your system as you may need or upgrade cards and readers to meet new requirements. This gives you a secure system that can be quickly changed and further developed to evolve alongside the institution’s goals.

Cost-effective
 
Making the switch to smart card technology might come with an initial investment, but in the long run, it has huge cost-saving potential. Because they are totally flexible and scalable, once the system is in place, it helps to save money as you streamline your services over the coming years.

Reduce workloads

Smart cards will also help to not only save money but increase efficiency and reduce workloads because staff will no longer have to worry about security or identification, allowing them to focus on education rather than administration.

Ultimately, smart cards are a great investment, not just for the future of your college or university, but for the health of your staff and students too. Universal Smart Cards can help your university or college to make the transition, so give us a call today to find out more!