George Mason Adopts Student ID One Card Solution
The upgrade expands the applications of the ID card system across the campus.
George Mason University expects the new ID system to be fully integrated into the campus by 2017.
George Mason University is upgrading its campus ID system from magnetic stripes to a contactless card technology for students and staff.
The university’s Mason ID system will begin using HID Global’s Seos smart cards, multiclass SE readers and FARGO secure ID card issuance solutions in addition to ASSA ABLOY SARGENT Passport locks for its new system, which will be completely installed by 2017.
The system will allow the school to use magnetic stripe and contactless cards simultaneously so the overhaul doesn’t have to happen all at once.
“We needed a more secure and flexible system that we could roll out incrementally as our budget permitted, while still supporting our legacy infrastructure and technology,” GMU Senior Manager of Information Technology Danny Anthes says.
The Seos card, combined with OMNIKEY desktop readers, will allow students to use the card for diverse services such as library check out and payment for meals in the cafeteria.
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The system also reduced card issuance time, data entry mistakes and improved overall durability, according to a press release from HID Global.
“The new ID solution has provided our students and faculty a safer campus and a better card experience,” Anthes says. “I think Seos goes beyond just door access; it allows us to manage the credentials better and put the destiny of the department back into their own hands.”
George Mason University enrolls over 30,000 students, has almost 5,000 facility members and 2,000 contractors. To accommodate these campus members, all of whom require Mason ID cards, the school has installed roughly 3,5000 HID Global readers and ASSA ABLOY locks and issued more than 12,000 new Mason ID cards to incoming freshman.
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