SUPERIOR TECHNOLOGY AND EXCELLENT SERVICE SAVE THE DAY

When you run the world's largest correctional system, which includes 33 prisons, approximately 165,000 inmates and 50,000 employees, visitors, and contractors, you must look for ways to control costs while maintaining or enhancing security. The California Department of Corrections recently set out to do just that by replacing its employee/ inmate ID badging system.

Their old film-based system was slow, expensive and time consuming. It also posed a potential security risk and the cards frequently wore out. To solve the problem, they needed a solution that was fast, cost-effective and produced durable cards that were difficult, if not impossible, to forge. The system had to be easy to operate and support
expanded applications in the future. In an attempt to accomplish this, officials contacted an ID card system vendor and had them create a solution. The vendor couldn't deliver what was promised and the system ultimately failed. The project was headed for termination until a decision was made to give it one more try.

Officials at the California Department of Corrections then followed up on a recommendation and contacted TransTech. TransTech was awarded the job and began the process of "salvaging"components of the failed system and creating a new solution using remaining funds from the first attempt. A system was designed a system featuring a Fargo Card Printer, a ValCamID video camera and signature pads. The software side of the solution included G&A EPISuite and Identix BioSentinel.

With print speeds of just 25 seconds per card; hologram, bar coding and lamination capabilities; and full-color, dual-sided printing, the Fargo printer was a logical choice. The installation was successful and the employee badging process began. Each card features digital signatures of the cardholder and director, the employee's photo, a custom hologram on the front, a bar code plus sequential PIN and card numbers that are assigned by the computer. The system delivered such ironclad performance that plans to produce the 165,000 inmate cards are now in the works.

ID Card Service Bureau can help your agency improve security through better ID cards. Click here to contact an account representative.