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Fargo flies high at international airport

There is no doubt that tight security is extremely important at an airport. Even the slightest oversight could result in passengers and employees becoming victims of terrorism or other acts of violence.

To thwart these threats - and comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates - airports like McCarren International in Las Vegas must maintain a system that prevents unauthorised personnel from accessing restricted areas of the facilities.

For McCarran, this meant creating an expansive network of more than 600 access control points equipped with magnetic card readers. To gain access to a secured area, an employee must 'swipe' a personalised card through the reader. If the employee has clearance to enter the area, the door will unlock. If not, the area remains secure.

Due to the sheer number of control points and employees, McCarran required an ID card printer that could quickly create cards that feature a full colour photo of the employee and a specially-coded magnetic stripe. In addition, the cards had to withstand up to 25 000 'swipes' per year in the harsh desert environment.

The solution

To help meet their needs, McCarran called in Western Graphix-Nevada. After careful evaluation, Western Graphix recommended a solution featuring a Fargo printer, a Sony video camera and Chase Technologies' AutoBadge and AutoPark software.

The printer prints two-sided cards that feature employee information and a full colour photo on the front for quick identification, a magnetic stripe on the back for access control and an exclusive PolyGuard overlaminate for unsurpassed durability. Furthermore, it takes a mere 34 s to print a card.

The printer is handling a daily volume of about 50 cards a day and has printed more than 10 000 employee badges to date. The system has made a positive impact at McCarran by helping them to cost-effectively comply with FAA mandates. In addition, the cards have helped streamline tenant parking and billing by providing an easy way to monitor employee parking and access to reserved lots.

Fargo is a division of ISO Photo.

For more details contact Tersia Terblanche, Fargo, on tel: (011) 887 3301.

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