Buy Quality Proximity Cards Kenya

What is a proximity card?

A proximity card is a contactless card which can be read without insertion into a card reading device.

Because they don’t require a swipe, they can be left in a wallet or purse and still serve their purpose.

Prox cards look the same as the typical 30 mil PVC card but they have an embedded metallic antenna coil inside which hold the encoded data.

However, other proximity products include clamshell cards, key fobs and stickers.

How do proximity cards work?

A proximity card is a contactless card which can be read without insertion into a card reading device. Because they don’t require a swipe, they can be left in a wallet or purse and still serve their purpose.

Prox-cards use a low 125 kHz radio frequency to transmit to a door access reader. When the card is placed on the reader, the card’s unique strand of numbers is passed to the access control panel, which verifies if the number matches an approved number in the internal database. If the card number is approved, the door will be unlocked.

The science behind the scenes:

Bit Formats – There are a number of bit formats that can be used, for example: 26, 32, 34, 35 and up to 40.

The important thing to know is that 26bit is the standard (Wiegand) while others are brand specific.

Brand specific, or closed formats, are not any more secure, they are just a way to make you come back to buy all your future cards.

The card number encoded is made up of 4 parts:

1. Parity bits – You don’t need to know about parity bits, just know they are encoded there for added security. They appear at the beginning and end of your encoded data.
2. The Facility code – When you start a door access program and get prox cards for the first time, you will be given a Facility Code.

This is generally a number between 1 and 255. This is used as part of the card encoding to help secure your building.

3. The card number – This is exactly how it sounds. You start you prox card program at card 1 and go up from there.

Proximity Card Encoding Example:

How to order more prox cards:

You will need to provide 4 pieces of information. All this can be found in the access control panel on-site.

1. Bit Format – 26 (standard), or any number between 24 and 40.
2. Card Type – This is often printed on the card or found in the control panel.
3. Facility code – every building as a different facility code so if you have multiple locations, make sure you get the current facility code.
4. Range of new card numbers – if your last card is #7283 and you want to order 1000 more, your range would be 7284 – 8283. Be very mindful of this sequential numbering and DO NOT overlap card ranges. If two cards are given the same number your system will see them as one card.

Note 1: Any prox format, or card type, can be encoded to match any bit format so if you have a typical prox card and want to start using fobs, you can do that.

Note 2: If you cannot find the above information, you can send us a working card and we can read the data on it and gather all the info we need to help you order your new batch.

Note 3: While HID is the most popular brand, there are more brands that offer a great product at an attractive price. Even if you have HID, you can buy another brand with a 100% money-back guarantee.

Our ID System Specialists are here to help with any questions you may have throughout the process. So just pick up the phone and call, you will get a live person every time! 866.438.4553.

Final Pro Tip – If you are printing on proximity cards, you will get best results with a retransfer printer instead of a direct to card printer. Colors, print clarity and durability of your printer will be better due to the printing technology.

Types of Prox Cards

Proximity cards are available in a wide range of styles, so you can pick the card type that will work best for your organization:

• Standard PVC cards
• Composite cards
• Printable PVC or composite cards
• Clamshell cards
• Cards with magnetic stripes
• Key fobs
• Adhesive tags

What do I need for a prox card system?

To start a prox card or access control system at your business, you’ll need door stations installed at all entrances to read cards, software to program the readers and manage your cards, and the prox cards.

ProxSource is happy to supply you with additional prox cards encoded to work with your access control system.

How Sequence Numbers Work

The card’s sequence or range number is programmed into it along with the facility code. The combination of both numbers are what tells a card reader which cards have access to the building both the facility code and sequence number must match for the card to work.

Because of this, it is incredibly important that cards do not have the same sequence number; because they have the same facility code and sequence number, the system cannot tell the cards apart. When you order new cards, order the cards in the next range of numbers.

For example, if your current box of cards ends with sequence number 120, your next cards should start with sequence number 121.

For most card formats, your card range is numbers between zero and 65,535.

If you aren’t sure what your card sequence is, or what your last order’s card range was, that information will be on the box.

You can also look at your access control software to see which numbers have already been assigned in the system.

What if I Need a Large Number of Cards?

If your organization needs a large number of cards, you have several options.

First, you can set up your system to use more than once facility code. This would require card readers than are compatible with more than one facility code.

Using this method, you could have the full range of zero to 65,535 under each facility code. The cards would not be identical because their facility code AND sequence numbers do not match.

Second, you can register your cards with programs like Corporate 1000 from HID or Cardtrax from Allegion.

These programs allow you a greater range of card numbers, up to 34,359,738,367. They also store your card information, making it easy to order the next set without duplicating cards.

When ordering prox cards, there is some information you need to provide and many options to choose from so you can get custom cards designed specifically for your organization.

To order cards, however, you’ll need to understand what all those choices are. So let the experts at dayari technologies help by explaining all your proximity card options.

Types of Prox Cards

Proximity cards come in a wide range of styles from standard blank cards to printable cards, dual-encoded cards with magnetic stripes, key fobs, thick clamshell cards, and more.

Prox Card Brands

Prox cards are available from a wide range of brands – although HID was the first manufacturer, there are now many other options with different card types and price points to match any customer’s needs.

Prox Card Formats

The card format describes the data pattern programmed on your cards, and the compatibility with card readers. All prox cards use a radio frequency of 125 kHz to transmit their data to the card reader.

Prox Card Facility Code

Each access control system has a facility code, that identifies your proximity system. This code is represented as a number between 0 and 255.

Prox Card Sequence

Every prox card has a unique card ID number, called a sequence number. You cannot repeat sequence numbers, since duplicate cards will not work. Numbers are between 0 and 65,435.

External Printed Number

By selecting to print the card sequence numbers on your prox cards, each card’s unique sequence number is easily visible so you can identify a card and know who that card belongs to in the case of a lost card.

Slot Punches

Slot punched cards attach to lanyards, badge reels, key rings, or other card accessories for easy card access. You can choose to have the manufacturer slot punch them for you, or slot punch them yourself.

Custom Pre-Printed Cards

Customizing your prox cards with artwork allows you to use them as employee IDs, membership cards, security passes, and more. To order these cards, you will need to submit your card design to the manufacturer.