Net2 printable proximity card alternative

[Jobos]

We are using the Net2 system and have always bought the printable Paxton cards and they print fine with no problem watsoever. Now as the school logo has changed the head wants all new cards printing which is expensive so I've been looking for alternative cards that would still work with Net2. I have found a card by Ecopass https://www.digitalid.co.uk/product/ecopass-692-500-cards-3467 that seems to do the job but wanted to see if anyone has had problems with them. For comparison the Net2 cards are here https://www.digitalid.co.uk/product/paxton-692-500-net2-proximity-iso-cards-115?cat=4310

 

Thanks.

[MatthewL]

An alternative but cheaper option keep the existing cards for access as that side works, just buy plain cards and print the ID side, they should both fit in the same holder so people can use the newly printed for ID but the old one behind? Be far cheaper if you need to reprint all.

 

If not give them a breakdown of the cost what it would be to buy and print new cards, don't forget the time involved in it too.

[Jobos]

An alternative but cheaper option keep the existing cards for access as that side works, just buy plain cards and print the ID side, they should both fit in the same holder so people can use the newly printed for ID but the old one behind? Be far cheaper if you need to reprint all.

 

If not give them a breakdown of the cost what it would be to buy and print new cards, don't forget the time involved in it too.

 

That's a great idea but tried fitting a blank card into the same holder and it didn't fit in the rigid holders we have.

[localzuk]

We migrated away from using cards for the net2. So we use plain blank white cards for everyone's ID, and issue Net2 fobs instead. We can then collect them back in and reissue when people leave. Saved us a fortune in cards.

[Jobos]

We migrated away from using cards for the net2. So we use plain blank white cards for everyone's ID, and issue Net2 fobs instead. We can then collect them back in and reissue when people leave. Saved us a fortune in cards.

 

Yes we used to use plain cards and fobs then a governor said it would be much neater to use Net2 cards instead and that was the end of fobs. I've still got a bag of fobs that I use for supply teachers and contractors who seem to leave site without handing them back.

[MatthewL]

Having the same card as ID is one way to get staff to wear ID as they then need to use it to get around sites but if its lost and not reported it does mean access to building can be then granted!

 

Could be cheaper to see if you can get some bigger card holders, that may work out cheaper but I've just had a search for "paxton cards 100's" and a few results come up, see how they compare or speak to a local Paxton installer see if they can do a bulk price rather than buying small packs could work out cheaper.

[k-strider]

we print on plain cars and leave a paxton card plain but associated to them. we buy dual card holders and put the paxton card in the back and the printed plain card in the front

https://www.jfk-binding.co.uk/lanyards/card-holders/double-sided-rigid-card-holders-landscape

[Rob_D]

It's worth checking what readers you have, as if you've got the right readers you can use Mifare cards, and they can be dirt cheap.

[Disease]

We buy cheap 1k mifare cards and print on those fine, and use those with Net2, far less hassle than multiple cards and fobs etc.

 

The last batch we got from Lesar.co.uk

[Jobos]

We have already bought the cards now but good to know for any replacements in the future as the milfare are a quarter of the price.

[Rob_D]

We have already bought the cards now but good to know for any replacements in the future as the milfare are a quarter of the price.

If you're using a Paxton system then check your readers will support Mifare. We had to upgrade our readers for ones that would read Mifare.

[Jobos]

If you're using a Paxton system then check your readers will support Mifare. We had to upgrade our readers for ones that would read Mifare.

 

Is there an easy way to check our readers before I buy the milfare cards?

[Rob_D]

Is there an easy way to check our readers before I buy the milfare cards?

The only way I've done it is by waving a Mifare card at the reader and seeing if anything happens. The only alternative I can think of would be to look up the product number.

[ITGuyNW]

So is the net2 system still the way to go then? I think they're looking to overhaul security here so they are looking at doors, signing in etc