Are you considering moving to a smart card from a magnetic stripe model? If so, you may wonder how to tell if you need a contact or contactless smart card. First, research how the cards work and what type of equipment you need for each. Then figure out what you should budget for a new system to determine which smart card is right for you.
What's the difference between contact and contactless cards?
A common contact card that most people use today is a debit or credit card with a microchip. To activate the card, you must insert it into the scanner/reader for identification purposes. On the other hand, you only need to be within range of a scanner for a contactless card to work. If you look closely, you can see the antennae around the embedded chip in a contactless card.
Both smart cards work well for organizations with heightened security needs but choosing the right one depends on your cards' purpose and business needs.
Advantages and disadvantages
If you have hundreds or thousands of cardholders who need access to your facilities throughout the day, it makes sense to use a contactless system to permit or deny access. It's quicker than each individual swiping a contact card through a reader, meaning you can process more people in a shorter time. And since cardholders aren't swiping cards continually through readers, contactless cards will last longer thanks to less wear and tear.
If security is important, the same technology that makes contactless cards handy also allows nefarious individuals to steal cardholder information. Anyone with a reader can stand close to a cardholder and read all of their information.
You can easily customize both contact and contactless cards with brand information, photographs, and more. It's also easy to automate reports for both types of cards so you can monitor access points, attendance, or hours on site.
Budget concerns
Let's say your current system uses magnetic stripes. Regardless if you choose a contact or contactless smart card, you must change your entire system to use them. It's a major system upgrade to get the scanners/readers you need for every access point, payment station, etc. This can get expensive depending on how many readers you need to purchase.
Besides budget concerns, does your organization need the increased security you get with a contact or contactless smart card? If so, that may outweigh the cost of upgrading your system.
For example, organizations dealing with protected health information would benefit from a smart card system. But for organizations issuing gift cards or loyalty cards, contact or contactless cards might be overkill.
Printing concerns
Printing on smart cards can be complicated. You can risk damaging the chips and antennae in your smart cards when you print directly on them. The surfaces on some cards may be uneven thanks to the embedded electronics, causing printing problems and potentially damaging your ID card printer's printhead. You may need a more expensive retransfer printer if you're customizing your contact or contactless cards.
Retransfer printers print on a film that adheres to your cards' surface instead of printing directly on the card. They also let you print "over the edge" of the card so you get the full area on the card's face. Direct-to-card printers leave a small white border around the edges of cards because they can't print over the edge.
Who needs contact or contactless ID cards?
Businesses, governments, healthcare organizations, and even campuses are turning to smart cards for a variety of reasons. The main reason is a contact or contactless smart card makes a lot of information readily available when needed. Instead of carrying all that information around with you, a single card holds it until it come in range of or contact with a reader.
Final thoughts
With over 75 years of helping organizations just like yours with their security issues, Idesco has the answer to all your questions. We also have a fully functional showroom where you can come and test the equipment before you buy. And with the Idesco lowest price guarantee, you're sure to get exactly what you need for the best price available.
Contact an Idesco ID Expert at 212-889-2530 today to discuss both contact and contactless smart cards for your business, security, and budget needs.