University’s adopt DataWriter to Encode Contactless Smart Cards

Newport Beach, CA  — Starting in the Fall session, two major universities are issuing students and faculty identification cards with 13.56 MHz card technologies — migrating away from legacy mag-stripe technology to MIFARE^® DESFire^® EV1 contactless smart card technology using ISLOG’s DataWriter encoding software from SmartContactless.

One University is using DataWriter in stand-alone mode and the other – sold by Elliott Data — with a SP75 DataCard printer with DataWriter integrated with IDWorks printer software.

The Universities began the transition away from mag stripe to contactless smart cards in 2013 after years of research and discussions about card technologies for student and facility cards. The technology jump from mag stripe to contactless smart cards was a major one and required a detailed plan and strategy. One of the Universities already has a One-Card solution, but could not accomplish what they wanted with their current provider.

“We have the ability with internal staff to accomplish what we want with respect to the 13.56 MHz chip technology,” stated one Director of University Campus Card Solutions, “We really just needed a platform that would allow us to do so simply and more effectively and DataWriter provided that vehicle.”

DataWriter by ISLOG allowed the University to have the flexibility to add applications as they needed and at their discretion. It would allow them to work with other entities on Campus, as well as organizations off-site, to utilize the same card. DataWriter also allows the user or users to manage the secret keys in an anonymous way without exposing any information to outside parties.

Additionally, the University Card Center staff wanted to utilize key diversification but was told it would only be possible with a proprietary solution from their current vendor. DataWriter provided them the ability to support key diversification with SAM AV1 & AV2 NXP key diversification standards with their existing card readers.

Typical campus applications include access control, vending, food service, e-wallet, transportation, cyber security, parking and a host of other possibilities.

DataWriter is an open software application allowing users to develop and administer contactless smartcard solutions and strategies for their customers or their own organizations. DataWriter is used by Governments, Airports, Universities, Hospitals and Commercial businesses worldwide.