How far we have come.

Our friends and partner at Digital Imaging Solutions will soon release this desktop high security ID card printer with retransfer and laser engraving technology. How big is this? It is like comparing an old IBM mainframe computer that filled a large room to a modern desktop PC that has many more times processing capability.

I was in a meeting this morning and it was pointed out that combined we had over 100 years of ID card making experience in the room from our company. It reminded me of how labor intensive and unsecured photo ID cards were back in the day. Today we can make a card faster, for less money, many times more secure, and with a number of intelligent technologies on-board. Yes, we have come some distance.

I promise it's me. I'm in the photo!

TRENTON -- City activists are raising a proposal to provide official photo identification to groups who otherwise don't have IDs, including illegal or undocumented immigrants. (full story here)

We say: Great idea, but how do you create an official photo ID for an undocumented person?

New Wristband Printer from Zebra

Zebra’s reliable HC100 Wristband Printing Solution makes wristband issuing easier and more cost-effective than laser solutions.

This solution combines the reliable HC100 direct thermal printer with easy-to-load cartridges containing the industry's only antimicrobial-coated wristbands—Zebra’s Z-Band® wristbands.

Minimal training! Pop the wristband cartridge into the HC100 printer—print individual wristbands on demand. Compare these two simple steps with laser printing, which often requires staff to load forms into a special tray, print labels, apply a label to the band, and fold a laminate over the band.

The HC100 printer automatically detects the loaded wristband size and automatically calibrates its settings for optimal print quality. Print names, bar codes, even monochrome images at the click of the mouse.

We Say: Zebra designed these with hospitals in mind, but schools are also finding these wristbands useful for visitors, sporting events, tardy ID, field trips, and more.

Available for purchase here!

TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) deployment delayed due to power surge

According to the TSA.gov website, the required compliance date for some TWIC users has been pushed back to December 1st (from Octber 31st) due to a power surge event at the MD facility housing the central computers that drive the system.

TWIC credentials are the result of the post-September 11 plan to secure all US ports and transportation facilities with a single unified credential. As noted on the TSA website, the cards use the following technologies to verify identity and provide information security:

Dual Interface Integrated Circuit Chips (ICC) that can be read by either inserting the card in a slot in a "contact" card reader; or, holding the card within 10 centimeters of a "contactless" card reader (Also know as desfire)

• Magnetic Stripe that is read by "swiping" the card through a magnetic stripe card reader


• Linear Bar Code used to quickly identify items by scanning the codes with an optical reader

The TWIC program is a huge step forward for port security. The cards will most assuredly provide the level of identity verification that our security services have needed for quite some time.

We say: Although the TWIC does have inherently fraud-proof features, why not increase the security of the internal ICC chip by protecting it with the SkimSAFE Electromagnetically Opaque Sleeve? The SkimSAFE costs less than $5 (far less than the $100+ price for each TWIC) and it provides a priceless level of security to the cardholder and a boost to the integrity of the system as a whole.

SkimSAFE protects TWIC, CAC, PIV, and many other cards including RFID cards used in the private sector for facility access control and logical access to PC workstations. It's the smart choice for users of contactless cards. The electromagnetically opaque sleeve is available here in packs of 25.

CredEx Promo Credential Set

We recently manufactured this lanyard, badge holder, and credential for a marketing promotion and thought we would give you a look. It's a sweet set. Check out these features:

Lanyard
- 100% recycled fabric
- Reflective background
- Glow-in-the-dark ink
- One spot ink each side
- Many configurations are available

Oversize Badge Holder
- Glow-in-the-dark ink
- Spot ink
- Custom sizes are available

Jumbo Credential
- 4-color full bleed printing
- Fixed and variable data
- Offered as service or on-site

Interesting? Call for samples or visit Credential Express

Why doesn't media get photo ID right?

Last month GM was running their "Employee Pricing" sales program to boost sales. I noticed the poster at the local Chevy dealership showed a bunch of employee photo ID cards, but the corners were square, not rounded. How did the advertising folks not catch this?

Below is the opening sequence for the TV show "Chuck". Pretty clever. Not a bad badge, but I would expect a last name somewhere. And I'm sure not protecting the barcode from making a copy would never be a problem. The high quality of employees at office stores would never swipe in a time clock for each other!



There there is the ID badge above meant to replicate "The Office" photo ID. What's up with this? Is it still 1984? When was the last time any company used an ID that was not PVC? The size is even non-standard. And the setting is a remote office, so wouldn't it be sweet if they had to "swipe the old time clock" every day?

Sigh...maybe I've just become a photo ID geek.

The cost of forged ID cards

Terrorist organisations operating in Kashmir could be asking their cadres to carry forged voter’s identity cards purportedly issued by governments of southern States, including that of far-flung Kerala, to possibly demonstrate that they have a pan-India support for their cause, official sources said.

The State police here have received faxed copies of the purportedly Kerala-issued electoral ID cards recovered from the bodies of suspected militants killed in an encounter with the security forces in the Lolab valley on October 7 and later on October 11. (more here)

We say: Customers often ask the cost of ID card security features and then elect to cut costs by not utilizing the available technologies. Do you think a few extra dimes or nickels is a good investment when it can save lives? And it is not just a problem for other outposts in other parts of the world!