Using ID cards as cashless payment cards is especially popular in schools and large workplaces. Multipurpose ID cards equipped with magnetic stripe or smart card encoding can be used for a variety of applications, from purchasing meals at the company or school cafeteria, to paying for parking, printing, making copies, and more.
Payment ID cards will usually need to have a magnetic stripe in order to record payments and deposits. Payment capability can either be integrated into an existing ID card program, or these cards could be separately issued. When being used, the payment cards are simply passed through a magnetic stripe reader and the amount of the purchase is deducted from the balance on the card. Payment cards can look just like regular school or employee ID cards, or they could be a separate issuance from the student or employee ID program.
Organizations can choose from a few different ways to allow card holders to add money to their ID cards. Payment cards can be tied to individual accounts, or an online system for recharging the card can be set up, and card holders can add money to the card at their discretion. Companies can set their own policies when it comes to recharging cards including any time or amount limits on the funds. In special cases, payment cards may be tied to a corporate account for designated card holders.
If payment cards or student or employee IDs with payment functionality are lost, they can simply be deleted from the system, and the card holder can be issued a new card.