A panel of ID industry experts provided predictions for 2005. One of these glimpses into the future will appear here each day during December.
It has been roughly a dozen years since associations serving Higher Ed began discussing the importance, impact and benefits of “Campus One Card” programs. This is not to say that programs did not exist before that time. In fact, colleagues at many campuses such as Duke, Loyola-Baltimore, Florida State, SUNY Geneseo and others spent the decade of the 80’s defining the industry. Vendors have responded with enthusiasm resulting in mergers, purchases, different technologies, new ventures and new ideas.
Over time the industry has matured and now many campuses are purchasing their third generation card system. This is often now referred to as the “Transaction System” because of its impact on so many services. Where we once referred to the campus ID card as the key to those services, we now see many different keys to these services depending on campus technology and focus. The Web is playing an increasingly important role in delivery of these services. Even the reference to the term campus in “Campus One Card” may no longer be appropriate. Services on many campuses now include off-campus use as well as ties to financial institutions.
Given my experience, the following list represents my top 10 predictions for 2005:
Campus safety issues will become increasingly important and the move away from “key” based locks will continue. Campus Transaction System administrators will be called upon to improve security and access control procedures.
As transaction systems become more mission critical, system maintenance and server care will become more of a focus leading to the involvement of more campus IT departments.
Management reports from comprehensive transactions systems will become increasingly important to campus decision makers.
IP native hardware will become the specification “rule” as campuses expand and change their systems.
Integration with existing campus systems will become mandatory for transaction systems. Additionally, system design allowing for adaptability to future systems will be essential.
Taking services to the customer with wireless and e-commerce options will raise the “service bar” and will help to improve revenues as well as student satisfaction.
There will be more focus on vendor provided services, support and the ability to host transaction solutions.
Providing services off-campus will become more common as students push for greater choice.
Security of data and systems will become increasingly important requiring data and transaction encryption that will meet or exceed the most current standards.
The term “Transaction System” will become the descriptive replacement for “Campus One Card” systems.
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