CBORD deploys a single reader and controller for each laundry room rather than a dedicated reader on individual machines. “Our current solution also has an interface board at each washer and dryer, but as intelligent networked machines become more common, that could change,” Swingler explains.

CBORD’s hardware controllers and interfaces enable cards to be used either to make payment or verify eligibility for free laundry, he says. “We also offer software solutions including and LaundryView and WebManager Laundry to allow students to see machine availability and load status,” he adds. “And from our MobileID student app, students are able to pay for and start machines from their smartphones.”

Heartland’s laundry solution is called WaveRider. A deployment typically consists of a WaveReader connected to each washer and dryer via a wiring harness and a single wall-mounted WaveController per room. “The WaveController is basically the brains of the operation. It communicates to each WaveReader wirelessly to accept and process both the OneCard and credit or debit card transactions from the WaveReaders,” Emery explains.

WaveRider is wireless both for network communication and for communication between the wall-mounted controller and the readers. This can reduce implementation costs as wiring is not needed to each laundry machine, and it also allows for communication over cellular broadband to help campuses alleviate PCI concerns, adds Emery.

“WaveRider supports EMV, NFC, ApplePay, amenity cards and more,” says Emery. “Through a mobile app, students can view machine status, see available machines, receive notifications when machines become available and receive alerts when their laundry cycle is complete.”

Campuses or laundry operators use Heartland’s WaveCentral system to configure and monitor their network of laundry facilities. This enables campuses to receive valuable information on what’s going on in the laundry rooms, including machine status, system auditing and service notifications,” says Emery.

Old dog, new tricks

For most students, parental laundry service ends when they set foot on campus. The process of sorting, loading and folding remains for modern students as it did for prior generations. But just because the chore itself has not changed, that doesn’t mean that the way in which laundry service is delivered can’t evolve.