ID Card Software
ID maker software acts as the brains of your card printing system, allowing you to design your cards and manage your cardholder database. ID software comes in a range of versions, with features for ID card programs of every size.
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ID CARD SOFTWARE
ID card software is the brains of your card-printing operation. Using photo ID software allows you to easily design ID cards, manage and store cardholder information, communicate with databases, and add functionality. Enhance security and track visitors while easily creating time and attendance reports using the right ID card software.
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Learn about the different types and uses for ID card software and how to compare editions to find the software that's right for you. To learn more, contact an ID expert with your software questions.
7 Things You Can Do With ID Card Software
You might not realize it, but ID card software is one of the most integral parts of any photo ID system. ID card software is the brains behind the whole ID printing operation and allows you to design your ID cards, manage and store cardholder records, communicate with databases, and add enhanced functionality to your card program.
1) Design
ID software comes with pre-defined templates that you can use to design your ID cards. You can also opt to create your own design. Card Exchange ID software also includes rich text editing, which allows you to combine regular text with multiple database fields, serial numbers, and dates and times while always maintaining proper spacing and alignment. With conditional layers and objects you can use ID software to design your ID badges in layers so that specific design elements can be set to print only when designated database conditions are met for an individual record.
ID card software also allows you to import images directly into your card design in a variety of formats. You can pull images from any digital camera or scanner that supports TWAIN or WIA. Images can be manually or automatically edited, formatted, and placed into a card design using ID card software. Some versions of ID software also include support for signature and fingerprint capture devices, which allows you to introduce additional elements into your card design.
2) Encoding
With ID software you can add encoding such as barcodes, magnetic stripes, smart card encoding and proximity encoding to your ID cards and badges. For example, Card Exchange ID Suite software supports over a variety industry standard 1D and 2D barcodes. You can also encode magnetic stripes to add more functionality to your ID cards.
3) Manage and Store Cardholder Records
One of the most important functions of ID software is to provide an easy-to-use platform for storing data about cardholders. With customizable record screens and multiple options for viewing records you can easily manage and store your cardholder records. Comprehensive search options make it easy for users to quickly locate records within specific fields or all fields. Some versions of Card Exchange ID Suite software offer centralized management, allowing you to manage multiple groups, users, and locations centrally.
4) Communicate with Databases
Card Exchange ID Suite software users an open data architecture that allows you to quickly connect to any existing data source. Depending on the edition, you can also connect to ODBC/OLE DB databases such as Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and MySQL. Card Exchange ID Suite also includes pre-configured databases for education, corporate, government, healthcare, and membership organizations, all of which can be easily modified and edited.
5) Security Features
Password protection, individual user and group accounts, and a variety of security features built into some versions of ID software help to prevent unauthorized access to design files and records. Designs can be given a digital key, for instance, that can only be recreated by an authorized user.
6) Visitor Management
Visitor management ID software is also available. Visitor management software allows you to create ID badges and set up a program that allows your organization to verify credentials at the point of entry, track visitors, create time and attendance reports, and control facility access.
7) Time and Attendance
ID software with time and attendance tracking capability makes it easy to manage employee data in a centralized location. You can do away with outdated punch cards, and easily keep track of your employees with time and attendance badges.
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START YOUR FREE TRIALChoosing the Right Card Software
ID software is an integral component of any ID card program, and choosing the right software for your photo ID system is an important decision. If you're not sure where to start when it comes to selecting ID software, consider the following questions to help you narrow down your choices.
How many cardholder records will you be storing?
Some basic ID software editions hold limited cardholder records. For example, Card Exchange GO, our entry-level software package, has a limited database that only holds up to 200 cardholder records. If you aren't planning on printing that many cards per year this may be more than enough.
If you need more room in your database for cardholder records, then ID software with larger databases like Card Exchange Standard, Professional, or Business is the way to go.
What kind of encoding will your cards need to have?
Encoding is any easy way to add functionality to ID cards and badges. Depending on your edition, ID software is capable of adding encoding like barcodes, magnetic stripes, smart card encoding, and proximity encoding.
Do you need visitor management or time and attendance tracking capabilities?
If the answer is yes, then you'll need special visitor management or time and attendance software. This type of software comes with additional design and database functionality that allows you to do things like verity credentials at the point of entry, track visitors, create time and attendance reports, and control facility access.
What type of database will you be using?
ID software like Card Exchange uses an open data architecture that allows you to connect to an existing data source. Card Exchange ID software supports a variety of database sources. Depending on your card software edition you can connect to file- based data sources such as Microsoft Excel, Access, FoxPro, dBase or ODBC/OLE DB databases such as Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and MySQL.
Do you need fingerprint or signature capture?
Some ID software supports electronic signature and fingerprint acquisition. These elements can then be incorporated into the design of your ID cards as an additional security feature.
Do you need additional security features?
More advanced versions of ID software come equipped with additional security features such as password protection, individual user and group accounts, watermarks, user permissions, and digital keys that can only be recreated by authorized users
Ready to learn more about Card Exchange software editions? We've created a handy chart!
Check out the Comparison Chart!4 Easy Ways to Add Functionality to Your Cards
In addition to designing your ID cards, you can use your card software to encode cards to give them added functionality. This makes them useful for membership or rewards programs, cashless payments, check out systems in libraries, or access control.
Barcodes
Barcodes are the easiest and cheapest way to add encoding to your ID card designs – it requires no special software, cardstock, or printer upgrades.
Magnetic Stripes
Choose from LoCo or HiCo magnetic stripes to make your cards multifunctional. Does require special cardstock and a printer upgrade.
Proximity Cards
Used as keyless entry for many secure buildings, you cannot encode proximity cards with card software or a card printer but you can print on them.
Smart Cards
Smart cards come in a range of styles with advanced functionality. This type also requires special software, cardstock, and a printer upgrade.
How Should I Compare Software?
Before you purchase ID card software, you'll need to know how you plan to print and use your cards — this will help you zero in on the features that are most important to your card program. When it comes to Card Exchange ID Software, here are the main differences between editions.
Card Exchange GO
Entry-level software for small organizations:
- Built-in database holds 200 records
- 1D barcode & magnetic stripe encoding
- Easy-to-use card templates
Card Exchange Standard
Mid-level software for small to medium-sized organizations:
- Built-in database with unlimited records
- 1D & 2D barcodes, magnetic stripe encoding
- Custom drop down lists & promoted data entry
- Advanced data filters
- Copy, import, and export card templates
Card Exchange Professional
Fully featured software for medium to large organizations:
- Built-in database with unlimited records
- MS SQL, MySQL, SQLite, Oracle, ODBC/OLE DB connectivity
- Multiple layouts per card template
- Fingerprint & signature capture devices supported
- Fully integrated biometrics support
Card Exchange Enterprise
Advanced software for large organizations:
- Built-in database with unlimited records
- MS SQL, MySQL, SQLite, Oracle, ODBC/OLE DB connectivity
- Updated MIFARE encoding & HID Proximity (read only)
- Digital ID camera, fingerprint & signature capture devices supported
- File password protection & user authorization
- Ability to connect multiple external databases
You'll have many choices to make when purchasing ID card software — let our ID experts help!
GET YOUR FREE SOFTWARE GUIDEFree ID Software Comparison Guide
Not sure what the difference is between ID software editions? Now there's an easy way to compare information about design features, database compatibilities, device support, printing, security, and more.