Challenge
Continued growth and expansion of Mercyhurst College signaled the need for a new approach to campus security. The school had constructed “smart” buildings that include fully integrated HVAC, a magstripe Debitek cafeteria system, interactive podiums with presentation systems, wireless and other technology advances. However, neither campus had a student access control system other than a traditional door locks and keys. Students and faculty had various cards (photo ID, library, cafeteria and copy services) and a new access card would have been the fifth card they carried. Therefore, a more sophisticated access control system was strongly desired for the campuses. Mercyhurst was looking for a single-card solution that integrated all of their existing card functions with added physical access control. The school also wanted to implement keyless access control, including freshman dorms secured for after hours access and school breaks.
Solution
HID Corp., along with system integrator U.S. Services, enthusiastically rallied to Mercyhurst College’s official motto “Carpe Diem – Seize the Day.” Bob Mittleton of Tonawanda, New York-based U.S. Services, served as consulting engineer on the project. “We originally planned to implement proximity plus magnetic stripe technology for the cafeteria specifically, but determined that the HID iCLASS single-card solution was far and away a better option due to the wide range of applications that would be made possible,” said Mittleton. He selected the iCLASS read/write contactless smart card system for its powerful, high-performance features including multiple memory sizes, form factor options, and flexible configurations.
HID iCLASS 16K cards with photo ID provided a highly modifiable, multi-application credential with enough memory area to store most common biometric templates. iCLASS R10 and R40 readers provide building and dormitory access for entering freshman in six dormitories initially provided with cards and readers. The comprehensive campus-wide system will be implemented in phases moving forward. Participation in HID’s Corporate 1000 Program gives Mercyhurst their own unique card format applicable to over one million individual card numbers for use throughout the school’s two campuses.