Smart Card Readers: What They do and How They Work
Smart card readers are a fantastic investment for any environment that is in need of tighter, more secure safety standards. Whether you’ve already got a security system in place and you’re looking to elevate your ID card process or you’re starting from zero and hunting for the right measures for your environment, you’re going to want to head into your search as informed as possible. Keep reading for a full rundown of what you need to know about smart card readers before you invest in one…
What is a Smart Card Reader?
A smart card reader is the machine that communicates with your identity cards, enabling access to a building or a particular location and, depending on your chosen technology, noting or storing details of each card carrier. You see card readers absolutely everywhere, including on public transports, at pay stations and at big events.
How Does it Work?
A smart card reader uses radio frequencies to communicate with a card and allow the carrier to access an area or record their identity. There are two types of smart card readers on the market:
Contact Smart Card Reader
Contactless Smart Card Reader
These both use radio frequencies to spark the encryption inside of a plastic smart card to communicate whether access is enabled or not. Contactless readers work with an electromagnetic field whilst contact machines require a card to be tapped, scanned or swiped in order to allow the carrier to pass through.
What are the Benefits?
A smart card reader and accompanying smart cards offer up so many benefits for your business, some of which include…
Safety: Of course, the number one benefit of investing in a smart card reader system is that it is going to bring an amazing amount of safety and security to your environment, whatever or wherever that may be. This is increasingly important, the value of knowing who is who and just what they do is always going to be evident.
Convenience: A smart card reader enables smooth and easy access in and out of any building, door or barricade. This convenience will be enjoyed by your staff or patrons whilst also ensuring that daily operations run seamlessly and productively.
Cleanliness: The contactless nature of a smart card reader makes it fantastic for maintaining building cleanliness. Minimising contamination has never been more key, so this benefit is really great.
Modernisation: Bringing a touch of contemporary technology is going to improve the look and function of your business for everyone who is involved or comes into contact with it. Modernisation is inevitable, getting with the times is better done sooner rather than later!
Will a Smart Card Reader be Right for you?
In order to decipher whether a smart card reader is going to be the right investment for you and your company, it’s important that you take a good look at the environment and the safety standards that you already have in place. If you are a large scale company with lots of people passing through your doors everyday you’ll want to invest in a robust security system that will enable you to stay on top of exactly who is coming in and out of your building. Leisure businesses such as pubs and clubs will likely look to quick scanning in systems for members cards whilst smaller offices will want to opt for a compact model such as a USB card reader. Choose according to your business and your means to make the best selection for your unique circumstances.
