Key free solution

HID Global’s iCLASS helps Reykjavik University to fulfill their vision to have a true multi-application smart card solution for their students and employees.

Reykjavik University has been using HID proximity technology to secure its buildings for many years. About three years ago the university decided to build a larger, more modern and first-rate facility to accommodate all of the university’s five degree courses in the future.

Designing this new facility for the university was not an overnight task. Technical manager Ellert Igni Harđarson spent almost a year researching the applications and products that may be suitable and in the course of his research, he also met with HID Global at their EMEA offices in Haverhill, UK.

To make the new building a success, Reykjavik University worked closely with Securitas Iceland who, together with the university’s building consultant Eiríkur K. Porbjörnsson, designed a solution to fit the university’s vision, which was to have an almost “key-free” building. Not only to increase the convenience and security for students and staff but also to reduce costs and increase efficiency. Whatever solution was to be chosen today needed to also be able to grow and fulfill our future requirements of a high-tech system and building.

“Our vision is to have a true multi-application smart card that in the future can be enabled for cashless vending, canteen, on-demand printing, photo ID, library, use of lockers and maybe even more! We are also working with the wider community to extend the use of student cards for public services, such as for buses, the museum and swimming pools. We really would like to see the use of smart cards adopted even beyond the boundaries of the university and make the advantages of multi application ID cards available to everyone,” explains Hardarson.

Content with the existing HID PROX® solution and after much research, the university decided to transition to HID iCLASS®, using both multi-technology cards and readers. iCLASS was considered a cost-effective and convenient choice as it made migration to smart cards simple. “From the outset it was important for us that students who were issued access cards for the old building would be able to use their cards and gain access also in the new building”, Hardarson explains. The university charges students a nominal fee for their cards, which according to Hardarson has helped to reduce card loss to almost zero, as students associate value to their cards instantly.

Hardarson and Porbjörnsson conclude that they are excited about the possible future use and applications of their smart cards, hoping that one day in the not so distant future, the university cards can be used on the local bus, the public library and even at the theater. “Reykjavik University has the determination to think big, to always improve the university’s ability, and to decisively carry out our plans. With HID Global solutions, we are set to make our ambitious vision for the future a successful reality today and build on it for the future,” says Hardarson.

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