The campus is a hub of activity, with students, educators, and other staff constantly moving between classrooms, labs, libraries, and offices. Keeping track of room and desk bookings can be challenging, but with the right technology, it can be made much more accessible. The introduction of support for IDs stored in digital wallets and access control technologies in educational institutions has not only lowered the cost barriers for issuing ID cards to students, educators, and other staff members but also enabled convenient access control and reduced administrative workload.
Room booking systems with integrated access control can provide an additional layer of security by limiting access to certain areas on campus, such as classrooms or spaces with specialized equipment, to authorized people only. The utilization of access control technologies in conjunction with room booking systems can guarantee that only individuals possessing the requisite credentials are capable of reserving and accessing these areas, thereby mitigating the risks of unauthorized entry, theft, and other security issues.
In today’s world, educational institutions prioritize the well-being of their campuses. With the ever-evolving landscape, schools seek to enhance measures while ensuring convenience for students, teachers, and parents. One solution is the adoption of digital IDs, which can be conveniently stored in digital wallets (like the Apple Wallet) and integrated with access control technologies.
Digital wallets allow students and faculty to store their ID cards on their smartphones. This eliminates the need for physical cards, which have a habit of getting lost or can be stolen. Access control technologies use these digital credentials to control access to campus buildings and facilities. This helps to ensure that only authorized individuals can enter restricted areas. Likewise, should cards be lost or stolen, their authorization credentials can be quickly rescinded.
In addition to improving security, digital wallet and access control technologies can also help to improve efficiency and convenience on campus. For example, students can easily mark their attendance for classes of lectures (no need to sign and pass a piece of paper around!), while also being a lot more reliable than manually entering attendance into the system, saving admin time for educators and reducing human error. Likewise, now known as digital natives, for students it is much more suited to their way of moving around the campus. Apps can also be used to quickly and conveniently book study rooms and classrooms, which can help to reduce overcrowding and improve the overall learning environment.
Webinar Overview:
Luis Morejon, Global Facility Management Lead at Newmark, moderated a webinar featuring three speakers:
- John C. Wang, CEO and Co-founder of IAdea
- Darlene Pope, President of North America at Planon
- Oriol Turro, Global Business Development Manager at HID Global
The session aimed to explore how IDs stored in digital wallets and space management solutions can revolutionize campus management and improve safety and security measures.
First Question:
The first question addressed to the panel was: How can educational institutions improve their management of room and desk bookings on campus through the use of technology?
The panel discussion made it clear that technology can significantly improve the management of room and desk bookings on campus. By implementing digital signage platforms, educational institutions can enhance the on-campus experience they deliver to students.
John highlighted the benefits of a digital signage platform in improving the educational experience. He added that such a platform allows people to report any issues (such as broken classroom equipment) quickly and interactively, enabling prompt attention and resolution from campus maintenance teams. This streamlined approach ensures that maintenance issues are addressed in a timely manner, minimizing disruptions, and optimizing the overall management process.
Darlene emphasized the role of technology in enhancing experiences and optimizing space utilization. She suggested that technology enables students and educators to connect with their designated spaces and customize them according to their needs. By leveraging this technology, educational institutions can better plan the allocation and usage of various campus facilities, such as classrooms, faculty spaces, and staff offices. The goal is to ensure that every square foot of space is appropriately utilized, maximizing its value for the entire campus community.
Oriol shed light on the advantages of using technology in terms of user credentials. He pointed out that users typically always keep their phones with them, reducing the risk of losing an ID badge or card. Citing recent data, Oriol mentioned that, on average, over 17% of users lose their ID. This statistic highlights the potential of leveraging mobile devices as a means of authentication and access control, minimizing the need for physical badges, and streamlining the management of credentials on campus.
Live Poll Question:
During a live poll, attendees were asked to vote on the technologies they have tried or are interested in evaluating for managing spaces on a college campus. The results were as follows:
The poll results highlight the significant interest in sensor-based systems, indicating a growing demand for automated, intelligent solutions that optimize classroom and desk allocations in real-time.
Second Question:
In the second question posed to the panel, the experts delved into the benefits of introducing IDs stored in digital wallets and access control technologies in educational institutions, particularly to boost campus security and efficiency.
Oriol emphasized the streamlined issuance process and remote distribution of digital credentials. With minimal human interaction required, these technologies automate the process, reducing the workload associated with physical credential distribution. Additionally, the ability to revoke and reissue mobile credentials on the fly enhances security if a phone is lost, stolen, or forgotten.
Darlene points out that campus security is a paramount concern for both parents and students. By implementing secure access control solutions, educational institutions provide peace of mind to parents, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access various areas of the campus. This contributes to a safer and more secure learning environment.
John highlighted the security aspect of digital credentials, stating that they offer a highly secure means of authentication without disclosing unnecessary personal information. By using digital credentials, educational institutions can enhance security while safeguarding the privacy of individuals.
Live Poll Question:
During the second live poll, attendees were asked to vote on the physical access control technologies they have deployed or are interested in evaluating for managing campus security. The results were as follows:
The results of the poll show that QR Code-based mobile access and visitor management systems are the most popular choices among the respondents for managing campus security.
