Students and staff at American University may soon be able to ride DC trains and buses using their school ID cards. A pilot program is in place to test American University student IDs that are compatible with the SmarTrip tap-and-enter technology currently used for Washington DC Metro riders.

Ribbon breakage is one of the more common issues faced by users of ID card printers. Thankfully it's a problem that can be easily avoided with some simple routine maintenance.

Zebra's Performance Class card printers are getting an upgrade, thanks to new firmware and driver versions that offer a number of key enhancements. These updates apply to all Zebra P330i, P330m, and P430i card printers. New printers will include these enhancements, while those of you who are already using one of these printers can immediately download the firmware and driver straight from Zebra.

When it comes time to choose badge accessories for your ID program, there's a good chance you'll consider lanyards as an option for displaying IDs. Lanyards are extremely popular for a vast range of ID programs. They're affordable, easy to wear, and offer a simple solution for environments where ID badges must be visible at all times. Lanyards are available in standard or breakaway format. The breakaway design offers an important safety feature, in that the lanyard will snap off and quite literally break away if it gets pulled or snagged on something.

It's no secret that PVC card printers produce high-quality photo IDs, but did you know many customers also use these machines to print professional business cards? It's a great idea if you want to find a second use for your card printer.

The City of Ottawa is the latest to consider a switch to smart card transit passes for regular users of public transportation. Similar programs have popped up in other big cities and have worked to provide a great deal of convenience to riders, while also reducing waste. In Ottawa, the proposed program would enable riders to use a single smart card to pay for bus and train fares. The cards could also be used to ride public transit in other Ontario cities. Eventually the cards would be linked to additional applications such as paying parking meters.

At this week's ISC West conference in Las Vegas, Fargo is showing off a new lineup of direct-to-card printers. This "Advanced Generation" of DTC printers includes the Fargo DTC1000, the Fargo DTC4000, and the Fargo DTC4500. Fargo's tagline: Simplicity Meets Versatility.

HID Global is previewing a bevy of new technologies at ISC West. One area of focus is the company's next-generation Edge Evo card reader line. The modular Edge Evo reader offers the flexibility to adapt for a variety of access control applications.

Sometimes it's hard to know which ID card printer is right for your organization, especially if you see your card program possibly growing or evolving down the road. AlphaCard carries a number of card printers that can actually be upgraded in-field to meet those changing needs. From the innovative modular design of the Fargo HDP5000, to the unique upgrade capabilities of the Magicard Enduro, many printers now provide users with quick and easy ways to enhance functionality without having to buy a new machine.