Beyond student credentials, campus security can also be greatly enhanced in 2017 with an effective visitor management system. Administrators can know the identity of each person on campus using visitor management software that makes it easy to quickly flag those who either shouldn’t be on campus or who need to be handled differently than other campus guests.

Such solutions allow for the check-in, check-out and tracking of all campus visitors improving student and staff safety without impeding accessibility. Visitor management software enables administrators to create and manage badge templates by category, and to create and manage all of the user accounts for the employees who will be operating the badging software.

Other considerations include the ability to set up and manage an automated, scheduled employee import process so that the visitor list is always up-to-date. It also should be possible for each badging station’s setting and options to be managed from the central administrator console, and for the visitor management system to be integrated with the organization’s access control system. This ensures visitor check-in information is seamlessly passed to the access control system -- lobby attendants needn’t be familiar with the access system in order to provide temporary card privileges to visitors.

As organizations become more reliant on their ID cards, it makes sense to be able to produce cards on demand, in high volumes, and at many locations. Today’s leading printers, card materials and software all work together to deliver fast and efficient instant-issuance capabilities. They also optimize card security by incorporating visual and logical technologies for multi-layered validation.

Printer choices range from monochrome direct-to-card (DTC) solutions that combine quality, reliability and ease of use, to high definition printing (HDP) retransfer technology that can be used to create contactless or contact smart cards. There is also the option of high-throughput solutions that optimize performance and productivity.

On-campus card-issuance systems won’t be the only option for universities in 2017, though. As the market looks for ways to improve operational and financial efficiency and flexibility, new alternatives to standalone card printers will emerge that are tied to dedicated PC workstations. Watch for new service-focused models that deliver network-based credential issuance management.

These services will transform the user experience and operational management of ID badge printing to deliver reduced maintenance and inventory holding costs, while also eliminating capital expenditure outlay. They will also simplify system maintenance in addition to delivering end-to-end encryption that improves security as compared to current on-premise solutions.