University of Auckland adopts sustainable ID printing system

The University of Auckland has implemented a new system for printing student ID cards with the assistance of HID, aiming for increased sustainability and efficiency.

The university, renowned for its commitment to sustainability, faced challenges with its existing ID card printing system due to high failure rates and inefficiencies. Previously, the system generated considerable waste, with a failure rate estimated at around 10%, as well as operational delays, exacerbated by high turnover among student staff who often lacked familiarity with the system.

Ankita Askar, Campus Card Team Lead at the University of Auckland, stated, "We were working with a system that was quite particular, quite slow, and quite frustrating, with hardware and a setup that was not as efficient as it could be. All of that compounded into a less-than-ideal experience for students and a really frustrating time for frontline staff."

In response, the university collaborated with ColorID, a partner of HID, to address these issues through the implementation of HID FARGO Connect, a solution designed to streamline the ID card issuance process. This system integrates hardware, software, and services into a single platform aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing costs.

The HDP6600 printer, a component of the HID FARGO Connect solution, offers high-speed and high-definition ID card printing, while also reducing material costs by up to 40%. This eco-friendly setup was selected for its potential to meet the university's requirements for sustainability and efficiency.

Brendan Mosely, Director of Campus Life at the University of Auckland, commented, "With HID FARGO Connect, things are faster. The printers are punching out 200 cards in a day. And there are efficiencies in terms of using our teams' time more effectively. But the overall wraparound benefit is that the combination of all these things is making the experience better for students."

One year post-implementation, the system has yielded marked improvements. The university has managed to produce 18,000 ID cards annually, a process which now takes less than two minutes per card, compared to the previous duration of ten minutes per card. This increased efficiency has allowed the university to print up to 200 cards daily, a feat that previously required up to four days.

Moreover, the enhanced ease of learning the new system has led to significant time savings for staff, who can now focus on other essential duties. Furthermore, the new system allows for remote printing and issue management, which reduces the necessity for physical commuting between locations, thus decreasing wait times and improving the overall student experience.

The improved efficiency and reliability have also resulted in financial savings, with reduced wastage translating into an annual saving of around USD $7,000 to USD $8,000.

Adding to the commendations of the new system, Joe Wright, Vice President of Products & Technology at ColorID, noted, "HID FARGO solutions deliver enhanced print quality and significantly increased speed and issuance rates, effectively addressing the cardholder inconvenience of waiting up to 10 minutes for an ID card. Now, users can obtain their cards in just a couple of minutes, eliminating frustration and ensuring a smoother, more efficient experience."