Card, mobile credential, payment and security
Ithaca College is set to be the latest university to launch the GET mobile ordering app from CBORD, enabling students and faculty to preorder and prepay for food at Sodexo establishments on campus.
Per The Ithacan, GET Mobile will be available for students via mobile device and GET's online portal. The GET platform is CBORD's all-encompassing campus card system, which includes mobile food ordering capabilities among other services. Mobile ordering via GET is expected to be available January 2016 at Ithaca in time for the spring semester.
Jeff Scott, general manager for Sodexo at Ithaca College, says off-campus mobile ordering is popular among students, and Sodexo wants to offer a similar platform for on-campus dining. Initially, mobile ordering will be limited to three locations on campus: SubConnection, and two Sandella’s Cafe locations.
Mobile ordering could be a particularly good fit for one of the Sandella’s locations which has an existing window that was previously used for pickup and takeout orders. Though unused at the moment, the addition of GET mobile ordering will mean the window can be reopened for its original purpose when the service starts next semester.
CBORD also provides the transaction system at Ithaca, so the framework was already in place for mobile ordering via GET to be implemented.
Sodexo officials say the GET app will enable users to pay for food either via credit/debit cards or Ithaca's student card ID Express and Bonus Bucks. CBORD's GetFunds -- another feature of the GET platform -- will also be included at Ithaca, enabling students to check their balances and instantly replenish funds to their ID Express and Bonus Bucks accounts.
GET Mobile will be piloted at the three locations, but there are plans to expand its reach over time. In the more distant future Sodexo is considering a delivery option as well, though such an option would initially be limited to select areas.
