Demand is increasing for smart card solutions. Smart cards are the latest development in card technology offering two key benefits over established card technologies:
• the ability to include multi-purpose applications on a single card, and
• the ability to process data on a card.
Now Cardax has launched its own range of smart card solutions for access control including the Cardax Smart Card Reader, the Cardax Smart Card Encoder, Encoder WF (Cardax Smart Card encoding software), and Cardax Smart Cards.
“The key advantage for our customers who want access control on a smart card is their ability to include other smart card applications on the same card,” says John Dumelow, Cardax Account Manager for New Zealand.
Cardax chose Philips Semiconductors contactless Mifare® technology to provide the platform for its Smart Card range. “We chose Mifare® after researching the market,” says John. “Mifare® was a clear market leader with a well established customer base. It sets the standard for smart card technology.”
“This means businesses which have existing Mifare® smart cards in circulation can extend their use to include access control. They can encode their cards with the Cardax Smart Card Encoder and then use their cards at Cardax Smart Card Readers,” says John. “What’s more, because the access control data is in standard Weigand data formats, in many cases they will be compatible with existing access control head end systems.”
For businesses that are introducing smart cards through their Cardax access control system, data for other smart card applications can be stored on their Cardax Smart Cards.
“The standard Mifare® chip we have included in our Cardax Smart Card supports the Mifare® Application Directory with 15 sectors available for smart card applications,” says John. “Combined with the card’s ability to process data, it makes it an attractive proposition for many businesses which only want to invest in a single card type for multi-purpose applications.” Both pre-printed and printable cards are available from Cardax.
The access control features of the Cardax Smart Card range include enhanced security. This is achieved through an extra routine between the Cardax Smart Card Reader and the Cardax Smart Card. Once the card has been passed across the face of the reader it becomes activated, requiring a ‘key’ to confirm that the data on the card can be released. The Cardax Smart Card Reader has been programmed with the ‘key’ and once the card data is transmitted the normal access criteria routine takes over.
Cardax has established a strong reputation for its aesthetically pleasing range of readers and this has been extended to include the Cardax Smart Card Reader. Available in Cool Grey and Charcoal, the Cardax Smart Card Reader is distinguished by the Cardax Smart Card logo. The reader has a user friendly interface which includes illuminated access symbols with audio feedback to indicate entry granted or access denied. The reader also has a processing unit which is designed to be recessed behind the wall.
The Cardax Smart Card Encoder is a compact and operator friendly unit that connects directly to a PC. It uses Encoder WF software to encode Cardax Smart Cards. Residing on the Microsoft® Windows® 95 operating system, Encoder WF includes full operator security functions that provide password protected operations to every part of the software. Selected operators can have fully definable yet suitably restricted access.
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