Benedictine University has teamed up with Transact to bring mobile ID cards to its faculty and staff. The mobile IDs can be stored in the mobile wallet on a smartphone or a wearable device, and can be used in the same way that people would use a physical ID to enter buildings and make purchases at campus facilities.
The University formally launched the digital version of its BCard on November 18. To obtain one, students and staff will first need to download Transact’s eAccounts app, and use their university credentials to set up an account. The school will then issue a mobile ID that can be added to a mobile wallet.
In practice, Benedictine’s mobile ID program will take advantage of the NFC technology that is increasingly available in modern mobile devices. Once they have obtained their digital BCard, students and staff can present their device at campus card readers, and that reader will recognize the digital credential as readily as it would a physical BCard. The utility will allow Benedictine to introduce mobile IDs without needing to update its existing infrastructure.
The card readers have been installed at building entrances for access control, and in cafeterias and stores to support meal plans and on-campus payments. Transact’s mobile IDs are secured with two-factor authentication, and enable fully contactless transactions during the pandemic.
The digital BCard will reduce operational costs for the University, since it will no longer need to print and ship as many physical cards. The mobile IDs can also be issued remotely. Benedictine University is a Catholic school located in Illinois, and has an academic population of roughly 3,000 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students.
“The new mobile credential technology serves as a highly visible example to show prospective students that Benedictine is committed to utilizing the most innovative technology to meet and serve their needs,” said Benedictine COO Chad Treisch.
The news reflects the growing interest in mobile IDs on college campuses across the country. Transact has previously provided mobile ID cards for the University of Texas at Tyler. The company updated its platform in July to allow students to store the emergency numbers for mental health and support services.
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