Card, mobile credential, payment and security
In this episode of CampusIDNews Chats, Rob Stanford, the IT Manager for Facilities explains how Auburn University uses the DAX software solution from Detrios to simplify and automate critical campus processes.
Auburn relies on a complex network of systems, including Lenel OnGuard for access control, scheduling tools like Mazevo and Ad Astra, and StarRez for housing. In the past, these systems did not communicate effectively, forcing staff to manually update each one.
I could come up with a very high return on investment from a numbers standpoint, but just from a usability and efficiency standpoint, we've seen a huge return on investment.
As a single integration point, DAX connects the multiple scheduling platforms, the housing management system, and the access control system. Now, updates made in DAX automatically sync across all platforms, ensuring doors unlock when needed and access permissions are accurate.
“It started with a single building where we wanted students to access study rooms only if they’d reserved the space,” says Stanford. “From there, we’ve grown the system as more needs arose.”
The DAX solution has proven especially valuable during complex events, such as move-in day for student housing or unexpected weather closures. Instead of staff manually making adjustments in multiple systems, they can manage everything from one interface.
Stanford highlights how this automation has significantly reduced human error.
“You used to have to key something in one system, then go into another to apply access or pass it off to another department,” he explains. “When it’s all tied in, you’re making it more efficient and avoiding typos or miscommunication.”
This streamlined approach has allowed staff to focus on higher-priority work rather than repetitive administrative tasks. According to Stanford, the return on investment is clear—not just in cost savings but also in time, effort, and user satisfaction.
Beyond the technology itself, Stanford values the partnership with Detrios. When issues arise, he can reach out directly for fast, reliable support. This peace of mind is critical, particularly during high-pressure times like housing move-in.
For campuses looking to better connect their systems, Stanford offers a clear recommendation: “If you have a scheduling system and an access control system that don’t talk, you need DAX – or something like it.”
To watch the full interview, click the image at the top of this page.
TRANSCRIPT
At Auburn we have Lenel OnGuard as our access control system, and we have various different scheduling applications.
We have Mazevo, we have Ad Astra, we use Office 365, we have Calendars and Outlook, we also have a housing system, StarRez.
With all of those, we're trying to integrate. When you have certain events or things going on, you want those to be reflected in your access control system, make sure doors are unlocked, and people have the access they need.
We've been able to accomplish that using DAX and Detrios, it's been a really big hit.
It all started when we had some study rooms that people wanted to reserve. We already had the [system] on campus for them to do that, but we wanted them to only have access if they’d booked that space.
It started out in one small building, and we grew from there.
And so that's kind of the room booking kind of reservation type thing.
After that we had another situation where people wanted to control the hours their building was open because it was changing a lot. They wanted to have access to the access control system just for that one little purpose, but we didn’t want to do that.
We decided to try using a Microsoft Outlet calendar.
We said why don't you try it out and see how it goes. It worked great for them, and we've grown it from there.
In both cases, we started with one specific example and then grew as other needs came.
For our housing situation, we just went all in on that. Over a summer we prepped it and when the big move in came for the fall, we had everything set in place and the students had a different experience.
Utilizing DAX from Detrios, we're able to take our schedules from Ad Astra, Mazevo, Office 365, things like that and that's one module that they have.
They have, those integrations already built.
At Auburn, we're able to go in their web configuration module and turn things on and fill out a few fields and it just works.
That's one of the modules they have that handles the unlocking of doors and the creating access for certain periods of time.
Then their housing module is a separate thing, but all within the same web module where we were able to set up our StarRez integration.
Again, they've done all the integration, and we're just configuring it. We're mapping that if you're in this room of this residence hall in StarRez, you have this access level in our OnGuard access control system.
We do that and then it's set it and forget it. We haven't had any issues with that at all.
They have those two different functions all within the same configuration tool.
It doesn't snow much in the south, but we did have a weather day. They have the ability to ignore the events. There were all these calendar events that were coming up where the doors should be unlocked or people should be granted access, but it was decided that we were closing the school down this day.
Rather than having to go into the different scheduling softwares and get rid of [calendar events] or make adjustments, we just had to log into their system and set it to ignore all that stuff. Then we were able to let the access control system and take over, which is where we made the regular adjustments.
No doubt, there are a lot of people working in various different places on campus that don't have to do things anymore that they used to.
I'm sure if I were to sit down and do an analysis, I could come up with a very high return on investment from a numbers standpoint. But just from an effort, usability, efficiency standpoint, the feel that you get is that you got a huge return on investment.
People are very happy; there are tasks they don't have to do any more that they used to have to do. They can focus more on their real job, instead of doing these other things, because the system automatically does it.
It's also helped on mistakes. You used to have to key something in one system, like your scheduling system or StarRez, and then you would either have to go into another system to apply access or change schedules or you would pass it on to another department for them to do. Certainly, you're going to have mistakes when that happens. There's going to be a typo or miscommunication. When it's all tied in, you're making it more efficient, so people don't have to type it in multiple systems and multiple groups aren't having to deal with it.
If you don't have DAX from Detrios, and you have a scheduling system and an access control system that don't talk, you need it or you need something like it. I don't know of anyone else doing the exact thing. They are experts in the arena, and they work well to have the systems communicate with each other in a proper and professional manner using good security techniques, good coding skills, proper APIs, and they maintain that over time.
When you invest in this, you know that it's going to work on this version, I have all the confidence in the world that five years from now, it will continue to work.
If you have a homegrown system, and you think ‘I'm good, it works for me,’ you're going to have to maintain it, and things that are going to change.
That gives me peace of mind, and then, quite honestly, they're really great to work with as well.
It's easy to submit a ticket, and if there is an issue, they will resolve it.
We have a relationship with the company, and that's very important to me. Particularly when we're doing housing stuff, if that's not working and people are trying to move in and they can't get access, that's a big deal.
Knowing that I can pick up the phone and call them or put in a support ticket and get that response is very comforting.
For higher education institutions, managing access to thousands of doors across campuses has always been a daunting task. Universities often have 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 or more access control readers. For full visibility into the environment, each access point requires detailed tracking of location, hardware, firmware versions, and maintenance needs.
ASSA ABLOY’s Openings Studio is designed to streamline this process, enabling universities to manage their access control systems more efficiently and plan for the future.
To better understand how Openings Studio works and the benefits it can deliver for campus card and security operations, CampusIDNews spoke with Ryan McLachlan, Senior Director of Openings Studio Building Technologies at ASSA ABLOY, and Jeff Rindlisbacher, Director of the same division.
When managing their physical access systems, universities face a complex web of data points. Every component requires careful documentation, from wireless locks and readers to physical door components like strikes and frames. But for most organizations, this documentation is fragmented at best.
If there’s an issue at a door – say a card isn’t working – you already have detailed information before sending someone out. That way, you’re not wasting time on a separate trip just to assess the situation.
According to McLachlan there is enormous value in creating a centralized database to track these assets.
While Openings Studio is ideal for managing data for door access points, it was not designed to support other security infrastructure such as cameras, intrusion, panic or duress systems. Another solution called SiteOwl, however, is designed to capture all this additional component data. ASSA ABLOY acquired SiteOwl to complement its Openings Studio solution. Learn more about SiteOwl here.
“Being able to document all of your existing security devices is critical,” he says. “Openings Studio has always been strong on door-centric applications, giving you the ability to collect and manage opening data at a detailed level.”
It goes beyond simple documentation by providing actionable data. Campuses can leverage the platform to align future projects with existing infrastructure, ensuring they make informed decisions about replacements and enhancements.
“It’s all about understanding what’s in the field and where it’s at from a lifecycle perspective,” he explains. “It lets you intelligently plan for upgrades or for bringing new buildings online.”
Openings Studio is a web-based platform with mobile capabilities, making it accessible to teams both on-site and in the field. Field staff can use tablets or smartphones to gather data during site visits, conduct inspections, or troubleshoot issues in real time.
This functionality is beneficial when responding to maintenance calls. Before dispatching a technician, the system provides a complete record of the affected door, ensuring the right tools and parts are brought to the job.
NFC chips or QR codes are attached to doors during installation, upgrades, or as a part of the cataloging process. Scanning these tags reveals key information like the building location, hardware set, and access credentials.
“If there’s an issue at a door – say a card isn’t working – you already have detailed information before sending someone out,” McLachlan explains. “That way, you’re not wasting time on a separate trip just to assess the situation.”
The platform integrates smart tags, such as NFC chips or QR codes, that are attached to doors during installation, upgrades, or as a part of the cataloging process. Scanning these tags reveals key information like the building location, hardware set, and access credentials. Users with higher permissions can even view detailed work history, specifications, and even installation or programming instructions directly from the mobile app.
According to Rindlisbacher, this feature reduces confusion and accelerates problem resolution.
“All the collateral is there at your fingertips,” he says. “It’s about having everything you need in one place, whether you’re maintaining existing doors or working on new construction.”
For campuses migrating to mobile access, Openings Studio provides a perfect opportunity to capture and organize data during the process.
“Large-scale initiatives like a mobile credential rollout are the ideal time to begin collecting detailed door data,” McLachlan explains. “Since you’re already visiting every reader, it makes perfect sense to capture that information in the most organized way possible.”
Universities can create custom inspection templates within the software to track pilot programs or test specific hardware. For example, a school might add fields to confirm whether a door successfully reads the new mobile credentials. This data is easily reportable and can help administrators identify problem areas before a full-scale launch.
Large-scale initiatives like a mobile credential rollout are the ideal time to begin collecting detailed door data. Since you’re already visiting every reader, it makes perfect sense to capture that information in the most organized way possible.”
Even when teams are on-site for a specific project, they can take more time and gather additional valuable data.
“It might start with a rekeying initiative, but while we’re there, we can capture information about fire-rated openings, card readers, and more,” Rindlisbacher says. “That extra data benefits other departments down the road.”
The platform also simplifies project tracking for construction and renovation efforts. The project team can monitor whether hardware has been delivered, installed, and quality-checked before final turnover. By providing transparency across stakeholders – from architects to general contractors to university security teams – Openings Studio can ease the workflow from start to finish.
Universities can use Openings Studio independently or have ASSA ABLOY’s consulting team test credentials and document the components and status of every door and reader
The platform’s non-proprietary database supports hardware from multiple manufacturers, making it flexible for campuses with diverse systems. It also integrates with popular building design solutions, ensuring seamless collaboration between architects, contractors, and campus security teams.
While universities can use Openings Studio independently, many choose to bring in ASSA ABLOY’s consulting teams for large-scale projects. These specialists conduct conditional assessments, test credentials, and document the components and status of every physical opening and access device. For campuses with limited staff, outsourcing this work ensures accuracy and reduces the burden on internal teams.
McLachlan emphasizes that successful implementations require thinking beyond immediate needs.
“There’s often one initiative driving the project, but we always look for additional valuable data points while we’re in the field,” he said. “It’s about planning ahead and understanding the full lifecycle of your security systems.”
Managing thousands of doors and access control devices is challenging for any university, but Openings Studio offers a comprehensive, scalable solution to facilitate the process. By centralizing data, streamlining maintenance, and supporting future initiatives like mobile credential migrations, the platform empowers campus card and security teams to work smarter and more efficiently.
“Ultimately, it’s about providing transparency and future-proofing your operations,” McLachlan concludes. “When you have the right data at your fingertips, you can make better decisions and ensure your campus is ready for whatever comes next.”
College athletic departments are more than just sports programs – they are complex business operations that manage major events, high-traffic facilities, and thousands of student and fan interactions. Many, however, still manage operations using a series of disparate systems for critical processes like payments, ticketing, access control, and reporting. According to TouchNet’s article Rethinking Commerce and Access in College Athletics, this outdated approach is no longer sustainable.
“Athletic departments aren’t just playing games – they’re running enterprises,” the article states. “To meet the growing demands of students, fans, leadership and financial stakeholders, they need to modernize the way they manage commerce and access.”
Most athletic departments juggle dozens of commerce and access points for students, fans, and athletes. Too often, each area is managed by its own system, leading to inconsistent user experiences and high operating costs.
When access and commerce systems are integrated with the broader institutional ecosystem, everything from accounting to student engagement becomes easier to manage.
While the rest of campus IT systems have adopted integrated platforms, athletics often operates as an island due to separate budgets, vendors, and leadership structures.
As demands and opportunities rise, athletic departments must evolve. Modern solutions can unify payments, campus ID access, ecommerce, and reporting under one system. This can simplify financial tracking and reconciliation, streamline event and facility management, improve security and consistency.
Overview of key TouchNet stats
“When access and commerce systems are integrated with the broader institutional ecosystem, everything from accounting to student engagement becomes easier to manage,” the article explains.
By breaking down digital silos, athletic departments can connect to the broader campus infrastructure, reducing costs and complexity. The same commerce and access solutions used by campus card, auxiliary service, and finance departments can transform athletics’ operations.
The article closes stating, “investing in connected infrastructure isn’t just an IT decision, it’s a strategic one.”
Washington State University (WSU) has transformed how students regain access to their residence halls when they’ve lost their campus card. A network of self-service kiosks designed to issue temporary cards provides a way to solve late-night access problems and ease the associated burden on staff.
“Our temporary campus card system started originally as a 24/7 self-service system for students to help them get into their res halls when we're not staffing them 24/7 with RAs,” explains Aly Heinrich, Manager of WSU’s CougarCard program. “Before the kiosks, campus staff were fielding calls at all hours from students who had lost their cards or were locked out with no RA available to help.”
By providing 24/7 access, WSU significantly reduces the need for RA staffing hours, eliminating an estimated 33,000 hours and the associate payroll.
Currently, there are kiosks in seven of the university’s 14 residence halls, with plans to expand to every hall. This will eliminate the challenge of students having to access another residence hall to get a temporary card to use in their own hall.
The kiosks issue simple, low-cost prox cards.
Students log in with their campus credentials, and the system deactivates their regular card while the temporary card is active. Each temporary card is valid for three days and comes with a $20 charge – the same amount as the normal replacement card fee. If the card is returned within two weeks, the fee is automatically refunded.
When finished, students return the card to the kiosk, which immediately makes it available for another user. WSU has about 2,000 cards in circulation, constantly being checked out and recycled.
“It gets used constantly. I checked our temp card data, and a hundred cards have been taken out since I left four days ago.”
“Just today, I checked our temp card data, and a hundred cards have been taken out since I left four days ago,” she says. “It gets used constantly.”
The benefits go beyond student convenience. By providing 24/7 access, WSU significantly reduces the need for RA staffing hours. Heinrich estimates this saves an estimated 33,600 hours of work per year, which even at minimum wage is a significant sum.
Looking ahead, she sees continued value for the system, even as mobile credentials gain popularity. As she explains, there’s still going to be times when students don’t have their phone handy and this can give them a quick, easy way to get back into their room.
To listen to the full interview, click the image at the top of this page.
TRANSCRIPT
Our temporary campus card system started originally as a 24-7 self-service system for students to help them get into their res halls when we're not staffing them 24-7 with RAs.
The problem that it was solving was our office was getting calls in the middle of the night asking, hey, my card's not working, I can't get in my dorm room, what am I supposed to do? There's no RA here.
So we installed temporary card kiosks in seven of our 14 res halls and now students have a 24-7 solution to get into their dorms.
We currently have seven kiosks in seven of our 14 res halls, but we are working on installing a kiosk in every single residence hall on campus.
We run into some students not being able to get into a different residence hall to get into a kiosk, so we're going to eliminate that problem and help them get into their res halls whenever they need.
Currently we are producing only prox cards in the temporary card kiosks.
It's cheap. It's simple.
There's not a huge security concern because they already have to log in with their own campus credentials to get a temporary card.
That temporary card only lasts for three days. It will deactivate their entire campus card account. That way they either have to come get a new campus card or they have to get a new temporary card.
When they're done with the card, the kiosks have an acceptor so they can just log into the kiosk and return their card, and they can actually reactivate their current card as well.
When a student checks out a temporary card, it puts a $20 charge on their account. Our card replacement fee is $20, but if they return that card within a two week period, the refund is automatically applied.
We use Meridian kiosks. They are mostly a hospitality food service kiosk industry, but they've produced a really fantastic piece of hardware for us.
Originally when we were using these kiosks also as card replacement systems, inside of the kiosks we had a card printer, we had a full desktop computer and everything.
Now our kiosk just has the card acceptor, the card dispenser, and the computer in there to manage the computer software system.
Just today actually, I checked our temp card data while I had a break and a hundred extra cards have been taken out since I left four days ago, so it gets used constantly.
We have about 2,000 temporary cards in production that are in recycling mode, so as soon as a student returns a temporary card to a kiosk, it's automatically removed from their account and another student can go and take that and apply it to their account instead.
Our feedback has been awesome.
We thought this might be a cool thing 15 years ago and my team has seen students asking for it more.
Even this year with a student over winter break not being able to get a temporary card because she didn't live in a hall with a kiosk – we heard that and we're going to put a kiosk in every hall now.
It started mostly as student service, but it also really helps our housing department not have to pay their RAs 12 hours a day.
Imagine 14 residence halls, one RA 12 hours a day, that's 14 times 12, times your minimum wage, we saved 33,600 hours of RA work in one year.
So multiply that by your minimum wage and that's how much money we saved.
I was presenting this project to NACCU at this conference and I let the audience know that honestly with all this talk of mobile credential, I get a little nervous that this temporary card system might die off.
It might not be needed if everybody has their phone, but they actually reassured me.
They were like, how many times do you leave your phone in your car when you're packing in your groceries. You get up to your door with your arms full of groceries and you don't have your phone, they would have to drop all their groceries, go all the way back to their car and find their phone.
Now there's a kiosk right down the hall so they can just put their groceries down for a second, go get a card, get in their room, put away the groceries and go get their phone.
As much as I was concerned about it at the beginning of this week, the folks here have really helped me feel a lot better about it, and they showed a lot of interest as well.
So it's been really cool to see the value that this provides for our students and that there is a future with it as well.
It was 20 years ago when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, devastating cities and towns across Louisiana and Mississippi. Nearly 1400 people lost their lives and – adjusted for inflation – it remains the most costly hurricane in U.S. history.
For countless families and individuals, life was changed forever, and negative impacts are still close at hand. But occasionally instances of good come out of even the worst events.
Such was the case when a student ID card that was lost during the storm was returned to its owner at Katrina’s twentieth anniversary.
Driven to solve the mystery, Copeland posted a photo on the high school’s alumni page. It did not take long for people to respond.
While walking a stretch of beach at Gulf Islands National Seashore, park ranger Becky Copeland spotted something in the sand. She unearthed a small piece of history — a beaten but intact student ID card buried below the surface.
"It was so dark and weathered, but still intact," Copeland says during an interview with CBC Radio's As It Happens.
At first, the card seemed like just another item for her collection of unusual finds such as messages in bottles. The only visible clues were the year 1969 and the name of a high school in Birmingham, Alabama.
Unfortunately, the name of the cardholder was no longer visible so Copeland assumed its owner would forever remain a mystery. But recently, while rearranging her collection, she was stunned to see the faded lettering had become legible.
The card belonged to Cathy Hamel, who graduated in 1973.
Driven to solve the mystery, Copeland posted a photo on the high school’s alumni page. It did not take long for people who knew Hamel to respond.
From Katrina’s fury to a heartfelt reunion
Hamel had moved to a small town on the Mississippi coast years before Hurricane Katrina washed away the entire community. The night before the storm, she evacuated to house further inland, but even there the storm surge reached her in the attic. Thankfully, she made it through.
When she returned the following day, her home was completely gone — reduced to a concrete slab and a porch swing hanging from a tree. The few belongings she saved were two photo albums and some insurance papers.
But two decades later, her student ID card that had been lost to the storm resurfaced.
The beachcombing park ranger, Copeland met Hamel at the Gulf Islands National Seashore visitor center, and they embraced immediately.
Hamel called Copeland an angel, “because she did all the legwork to find me to return it."
For Hamel, the recovered ID is far more than a plastic card – it’s a tangible reminder of resilience, loss, and the kindness of strangers.
The head of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s ID program spoke with CampusIDNews about the decision to require all students, faculty, and staff to use mobile credentials. Unlike many institutions that allow individuals to choose between a mobile ID or physical card, Chapel Hill adopted a mobile-first approach to streamline access and align with sustainability goals.
“On campus we are mobile first, which means that is your requirement. You get your mobile credential – you don’t get anything else,” says Melinda Bakken, Director of Campus Services and Person ID at UNC Chapel Hill.
Physical cards are still provided for rare circumstances, such as secure laboratory environments where phones are prohibited or for police officers who need backup access in case of phone failure.
Bakken explains that the mobile requirement was motivated by UNC’s “three zeros” initiative, which includes reducing waste by eliminating the routine issuance of plastic cards.
In addition to sustainability, the shift has also enhanced security and reduced card sharing, particularly in dining halls.
At least once a day someone will come and tell us that they have to have a physical card. They say 'I'm going non-digital.' I say, no problem, show me your canceled phone bill.
“We used to have situations where students would drop their card down [from the second floor] to a friend after swiping in,” Bakken says. “You’re not going to drop your phone. Most people will barely give you their phone to look at.”
While the transition has been largely positive, some students and staff have expressed concerns. Some simply prefer having a tangible ID while others want it as a souvenir of their college years. To address these needs, Bakken is exploring commemorative cards made from sustainable materials.
To listen to the full interview, click the image at the top of this page
TRANSCRIPT
On campus we are mobile first, which means that is your requirement. You get your mobile credential – you don't get anything else.
We do of course have always special cases. We have our labs, our BSL3 labs and BSL2 labs, where you are not allowed to bring a phone into the laboratory. They must have a physical card to bring and badge in.
Our police officers also get both just in case there is an instance where they have phone damage. We still want them to be able to get in, protect, do whatever they need to do.
And then of course animal labs, which we don't talk about.
I came to the decision to be mobile required because it would save on plastic. At UNC we are trying to be three zeros.
Of course, you know, there are always the caveats. There are special cases, but I think it's a good move for the campus and it supports our mission.
At least once a day someone will come and tell us that they have to have a physical card.
We are considering a commemorative card, and I think that's a good plan for us. I want to look into possibility of getting more sustainable products in order to print those cards.
Sometimes it is needed, for example, we actually just had a case where a Spanish visa was needed and the requirement online is that there is physical card, it cannot be a screen print. A physical card has to be copied three times and sent to the consulate.
He had to send a copy of his UNC one-card student card to the consulate in order to get approved for a student visa.
Some of the other ones that we have are, I don't want my phone anymore, I'm going non-digital. I say, no problem, show me your canceled phone bill and I'm happy to take care of you.
I won't say all, but some people are just kind of giving an excuse because they want that physical representation.
I've actually gone to a number of sessions and meetings about doing a commemorative card, and I think that's a good plan for us. I want to look into possibility of getting more sustainable products in order to print those cards.
I think going mobile is a great idea for other campuses because are connected to that phone. They always have it. They don't lose it. They don't even lend it out.
So it stops some of the sharing in places like dining halls.
They do have their concerns like 'What if my battery dies?' I'm actually working on a solution for that too with a power bank vending machine.
We used to have actually a situation where the student would go up the escalator and then they would drop the card down to their friend.
You're not going to drop your phone. You're not going to get in. Most people will barely give you their phone to look at. So, I think it is a good solution.
With mobile credentials, it's really exciting when you see the students getting excited about it. The first experience I had is when we were actually testing, and we went to the gym to test the readers.
We were not supposed to be telling the students yet, but he was at the front desk and saw it, and he was so excited about it. That's the thing that I enjoy about it when they get excited and pumped for using it.
They do have their concerns. What if my battery dies? What if this? What if that?
I'm actually working on a solution for that too with a power bank vending machine.
We're trying our best to help with all the concerns.
In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, understanding student behavior has become essential for improving learning outcomes and offering personalized support. A new study combines large language models (LLMs) with data from multiple campus sources to gain deeper insights into how students’ daily habits relate to academic performance. By analyzing student information system data, dining transactions, and exam scores in tandem, this system could provide a new tool to identify at-risk students early and improve educational interventions.
Traditional methods of analyzing student behavior often focus on isolated data sources, such as exam results or campus card usage. But this study, An Intelligent Educational System: Analyzing Student Behavior and Academic Performance Using Multi-Source Data, integrates multiple data streams, including demographic information, test scores, and more than 375,000 campus card transactions. The goal is to uncover hidden patterns linking daily behaviors, like dining habits, with academic performance.
Future studies could broaden the approach by integrating additional behavioral indicators, such as library visits, dormitory access logs, participation in campus events, or online learning activity.
The research team developed an AI-driven agent powered by LLMs that uses time-series analysis to track changes in both student behavior and academic outcomes. Though the data for the study was anonymized, the agent could ultimately produce individualized reports for teachers and parents, summarizing progress, behavioral trends, and potential warning signs. This would allow for data-driven decision-making, helping educators intervene before students fall behind.
For example, if a student’s dining patterns shift dramatically alongside declining exam scores, the system can flag potential challenges such as stress, health issues, or disengagement, prompting timely outreach from faculty or advisors.
At the core of this system is a meticulously constructed dataset drawn from three sources:
By fusing these diverse data sources, the research team created a resource that supports predictive modeling. When evaluated against traditional models, this new LLM-powered system demonstrated high accuracy and consistency in generating behavioral insights.
The study highlights the transformative potential of intelligent agents and LLMs in education. By providing accurate, interpretable reports, the system empowers universities to detect risks early, improve student outcomes, and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
For example, if a student’s dining patterns shift dramatically alongside declining exam scores, the system can flag potential challenges such as stress, health issues, or disengagement, prompting timely outreach.
However, the researchers acknowledge its current limitations. The dataset was drawn from a single college within Xinjiang Normal University, which may limit its applicability across other institutions. Additionally, the focus on exam scores and dining data captures only a small slice of student life.
They note that future studies could broaden this approach by integrating additional behavioral indicators, such as library visits, dormitory access logs, participation in campus events, or online learning activity. Expanding these data streams would provide a more comprehensive picture of how students engage with their educational environment.
This research marks a step forward in connecting everyday student behaviors with academic success, proving that when diverse data streams are intelligently analyzed, they can unlock valuable insights to guide the future of education.
In this episode of CampusIDNews Chats, Tony Erskine, Founder and CTO of CloudCard, shares how the company’s Remote Photo solution simplifies the process of student ID photo submission. Since its start in 2015, the company has grown into a widely adopted mainstay across higher education, working with all major one card providers.
We’re making it feel like magical photo elves took a picture of your student for you and then dropped it into your one card system.
“Basically, we’re trying to make it feel like magical photo elves went and took a picture of your student for you and then dropped it into your one card system,” says Erskine.
Remote Photo eliminates the need for students to visit the card office, instead allowing them to upload pictures through a streamlined, AI-enhanced workflow. The system automatically removes backgrounds, enforces consistent sizing, and prompts students to resubmit photos if they don’t meet requirements.
When CloudCard first launched, every student photo had to be moderated manually. But as AI technology evolved, the company integrated automated classifiers to approve or reject submissions. Today, a photo goes through about two-dozen classifiers or checks prior to approval.
Some institutions rely fully on automation, while others keep human review in place.
“The students don’t always read, and that’s okay because I don’t always read,” Erskine jokes, highlighting how the system helps students correct mistakes without slowing down the process.
Beyond photos, Remote Photo now supports government-issued ID verification. Students can upload a passport or driver’s license alongside their ID photo, and CloudCard’s system uses facial recognition and optical character recognition (OCR) to confirm identity details. This reduces the burden on card office staff and eliminates the need for in-person verification.
By blending automation with flexibility, Remote Photo not only saves staff time but also meets students where they are—online, mobile, and expecting convenience.
To watch the full interview, click on the image at the top of this page.
I'm Tony from Remote Photo by Cloudcard and we are an online photo submission system that got its start out of Liberty University where I built their system in 2014.
In 2015 we launched right here in NACCU, so it's actually our 10 year anniversary coming to NACU and kind of like a homecoming.
So what do we do?
We capture photos, we make it so that the students don't have to come into the card office at all, especially when you compare it with mobile credentials or something like that.
We provide an AI-enabled workflow because to be honest students always don't always take the best photos, right? So, we'll remove background, we'll crop it, consistent aspect ratio and size and all of that.
And then on top of that we tell them when they do things wrong. Because you know what? The students don't always read and that's okay because I don't always read.
We don't hold them to that. We just tell them we can't take that photo and then we make them take another one.
Basically we're trying to make it feel like magical photo elves went and took a picture of your student for you and then dropped it into your one card system.
We started pretty small back in 2015 with three customers. So, a quick shout out to Pacific, ODU and Mercer University who took a chance on us early on which is super awesome.
And now we are, gosh we've partnered with pretty much all the one card systems. It doesn't really matter who you're working with or what you're doing.
We're kind of the standard for online photo submission in higher ed and it's really great to be here at NACCU and working with all our great partners.
Early on when we built the first iteration of the system, every single photo had to be moderated by a human being, and as we got into the 20-teens computer vision was coming along. In 2017 we built as far as I know the first ID photo classifier where we were able to look at a photo and say yeah this photo belongs on an ID card or no it doesn't.
That has allowed many of our institutions to completely delegate that to what we call “Helper Robot” because you know he's kind of helpful. We've added on to that over the years so we've gone from a single classifier to right now there's there are probably two dozen smart filters that a photo passes through on its way through the workflow.
Some of them will auto deny some of them will auto approve but some of our customers still look at every photo because that's what works for their workflow and that's totally cool.
Speaking of AI, we are now able to take a government issued ID like a passport or driver's license, and we can accept that at the same time we accept their ID photo. Then we do facial recognition, and we do optical character recognition to read the driver's license. We compare their name or their address or whatever it is that you want us to check for on the ID.
Again it allows you to offload some of the work that was previously done by a human where now they don't even need to come in for you to verify their ID. It's really helped out a lot.
If you're interested in learning more about Remote Photo or if it seems like it might be a fit for your organization, you can check us out online. The first step would be for us to schedule a quick 15-minute call to see if there's a fit and if there are problems that we can help you solve. We'd love to talk with you.
A joint webinar with ColorID and HID Global will explore the future of campus identity. The title for the event is “Modern Campus 2.0: Building Bridges, Not Fences, with Mobile Credentials,” and it will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, from 2-3 PM EDT.
As the need for flexibility, security, and seamless integration increases, universities face challenging decisions about their credential ecosystems. In this 45-minute interactive session, industry leaders from both ColorID and HID Global will share practical strategies to address these challenges.
You’ll hear perspectives from both solution providers and industry innovators about the path to a “modern campus.”
Phil Coppola, Mobile Technology Evangelist, HID Global
Phil focuses on video surveillance, mobile credentials, and physical access control systems, and currently serves as the Business Development Director for Mobile Solutions - PACS North America at HID. With a strong emphasis on innovation and client-centric solutions, he is instrumental in shaping the future of mobile credential technologies in the security industry.
Sanjit Bardhan, Vice President & Head of Mobile, HID Global
Sanjit leads global strategy and adoption of mobile access solutions for HID. Renowned for coining the industry’s evolution as the “path from plastic to platform”, Sanjit articulates the journey from physical ID cards to mobile apps, digital wallets, and integrated identity. His thought leadership has been featured at major global conferences and in publications such as The Economist, Security Info Watch, and Intelligent CIO.
Danny Smith, Owner, ColorID
Danny co-founded ColorID in 1999 and has guided its evolution into a global leader in identity solutions for higher education, healthcare, enterprise, and government.. Under his leadership, the company has built a comprehensive portfolio of technologies, most recently strengthened by the acquisition of CardExchange and its next-generation cloud credential platform.
David Stallsmith, Director of Product Management, ColorID
David has worked closely with manufacturers, vendors, and end users to promote understanding of the complicated products and services that comprise the identification industry. He has helped many universities, healthcare facilities and government agencies evaluate and select contactless, mobile ID, and biometric systems.
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Three deployments of campuswide access control and mobile credentials were successfully launched by Acre Security, a provider of both on-premises and cloud-native physical security solutions. Two of them – the University of Virginia and George Mason University – were done in partnership with transaction system provider Atrium.
Across the three institutions, nearly 70,000 students can use a single credential – a physical card, mobile device, or biometric – for access to residence halls, academic buildings, and other facilities. In addition, the same credential enables a host of privilege controls in areas such as libraries and rec centers as well as payments in dining facilities, bookstores, and retail locations.
At George Mason and University of Virginia, Atrium-powered mobile credentials are elevating the student experience and increasing security.
The platform controls access to all campus facilities, but it also provides administrators with real-time visibility for threat detection, emergency management, and campus-wide or zone-specific lockdowns during active threats. Digital mustering provides automated tracking during evacuations and shelter-in-place situations.
One of Acre’s differentiators is that we offer both cloud-native and on-premises systems so that institutions can choose the architecture that best fits their requirements
“One of Acre’s differentiators is that we offer both cloud-native and on-premises systems so that institutions can choose the architecture that best fits their infrastructure and security requirements,” says Acre Security’s CEO Kumar Sokka.
The company says its roadmap includes AI-powered anomaly detection for proactive threats, enhanced biometric options, integration with campus transportation and off-campus services, and advanced visitor and contractor management.
These campuses add to the two companies’ growing list of shared clients. Prior implementations include University of Utah, Ferris State University, College of William & Mary, Longwood University, and Palm Beach State College.
“Acre is one of Atrium's valued PACS partners, bringing deep expertise in access control and security solutions,” says David McQuillin, VP Sales, Co-Founder, Atrium. “We have a powerful, proven connection with AccessIt! and are working with them to build a similar connection to their cloud native Acre Access platform.”
Acre and Atrium at George Mason UniversityGeorge Mason has been an Atrium client since 2013. The campus uses Acre’s on-premises AccessIt! solution for campuswide access control.
According to McQuillin, they have a powerful two-way API connection between the Atrium and Acre platforms.
The campus uses HID’s mobile credentials and readers. They also have locks from Assa Abloy and dormakaba as well as IrisID biometric readers.
The University of Virginia selected Atrium in a competitive process in 2024. Today, Atrium provides the traditional array of transaction system functions, an omnichannel point of sale system, ID card production, and mobile credentials.
UVA is Atrium’s first Allegion mobile credential implementation, it supports both Apple and Google Wallet, and the institution owns their encryption keys.
UVA is Atrium’s first Allegion mobile credential implementation, it supports both Apple and Google Wallet, and the institution owns their encryption keys.
“We partnered with A-Tech, a leading access control VAR in Virginia, and led UVA through a process in which they selected Acre’s AccessIt!” explains McQuillin.
The campus uses Allegion readers and Schlage locks. They also have facial and iris recognition readers from Princeton Identity.
In today’s landscape, campus safety requires more than just physical access.
“What’s needed is an intelligent ecosystem that protects students from both traditional and emerging threats," says Jeff Groom, Director of Engineering AI at Acre Security. "Our AI capabilities are designed to identify unusual patterns … and the platform continuously learns and adapts to each institution's unique security landscape."
For Atrium, these implementations show the diversity of their mobile credential and access control capabilities. McQuillin calls it their ‘one size fits one’ philosophy that ensures each client gets the best solution for their campus.
He explains it this way: “UVA had a large existing investment in Allegion readers and Schlage locks, so they decided that using Allegion as the mobile credential provider was best for them. GMU had a large investment in HID credentials, HID readers, and Assa locks so it was best for them to go with HID mobile credentials.”
Advancements in credentials, biometrics, and access control system and security capabilities are improving life for students at University of Virginia, George Mason University, and Rockhurst University. But it is not just these three institutions. It is occurring across the country as institutions work to increase safety and student satisfaction.
