Photo ID Systems come in all shapes and sizes and can be tailored to suit your individual requirements, according to functionality, budget, environment and other considerations. Each system comprises an input device, to capture images, a software package to manage the data and create the card design, and an output device, such as an ID card printer.

The most basic reason for a photo ID system is to identify people. Typically, organisations like to identify people for safety or security reasons. Photo ID cards allow you to quickly identify who is authorized to be in or around your facility and who is not.

	Step 1 – choose your input device An input device is needed to capture the image of the person. This can range from low cost web cams through to high resolution digital cameras for live, mobile capture.
	Step 2 – choose the software Once the photo is captured, it needs to be stored, along with the person’s details Photo ID Software combines a database for data storage, plus badge design software to allow you to design the layout of the card. Software can also enable automatic encoding of the mag stripe, proximity card and smart card.
	Step 3 – choose the output device Once the card data has been assembled, it needs to be printed. Card printers print directly to plastic cards or via re-transfer method, and can produce vivid colours with anti counterfeit features.
	Step 4 – choose the media. A great variety of materials exist to create cards. Plastics range from economical PVC composite cards to superior grade, long life polyester. Cards come in a variety of thicknesses and colours to suit most applications.