Door Access Control and Custom Key Cards

Which access card does your building need? Chris Rajki breaks down the common card types by building, and why the card matters as much as the system.

Matching the card to the building

A door access system is only as reliable as the cards that go with it. Chris covers the main types: RFID smart cards, magnetic stripe cards, proximity cards, and chip-enabled cards for higher-security sites.

As a rough guide, hotels usually run RFID or magnetic stripe key cards. Commercial buildings tend to use RFID smart cards and proximity cards, while gyms, coworking spaces, offices and schools usually use RFID or proximity cards. Whatever the type, the card has to match the format your system reads, or it will not open the door.

Card Imaging prints access cards to your design, and we program HID credentials (HID Prox, iCLASS SE, iCLASS SR and SEOS) to your facility code and format. If you are not sure what your system uses, send us a working card and we will identify it.

The short version

• Hotels: RFID or magnetic stripe key cards.
• Commercial buildings: RFID smart cards and proximity cards.
• Offices, schools, gyms and coworking spaces: RFID or proximity cards.
• The card must match your system's format to work on the first tap.