Types of Badges
Today, badges are available in a number of formats including company-issued ID cards, state-issued ID cards, drivers licenses, RF and proximity cards, barcode swipe, magnetic swipe cards (these are commonly used as hotel cards and credit cards), iClass, HID, and other technology. It's enough to confuse anyone interested in automating any of their processes using badge technology. What you want is a system that is flexible that will allow staff to carry only one card or use whatever THEY want to identify themselves. Savance can help you create the ideal badge system for your staff and guests that will be ideal based on what your staff already carry, what kind of security system you have in place, what, if any, you provide to guests, and your overall objectives.
Proximity Cards
Proximity cards work off of a radio frequency signal sent by the transmitter. They come in different "bit" sizes, which basically tell you how many numbers can be programmed as the unique identifier on the card. When the card comes in the range of the card reader, the card reader detects the card and reads the badge ID from the card. Depending on the card and the reader determines the length at which the card can be read without making contact with the reader. Organizations can mix cards as long as they use the same technology. For example, some could carry the ProxCard II, some could carry the ISOProx, and come could carry the keyfobs, as long as the target badge reader was a proximity reader. Learn more about HID proximity cards (PDF).