ABC Office August 2005 Ask Dave Newsletter
ABC Office August 2005 Ask Dave Newsletter - This month's issue covers questions regarding photo ID systems, accessories and supplies - ABC Office
ABC Office is pleased to announce the twenty-fifth edition
of our "Ask Dave" newsletter, dedicated to answering
your questions about office equipment and supplies, and
providing you with useful answers. Please feel free to
forward this issue of Ask Dave to your friends.
This month's issue covers questions regarding photo ID systems, accessories and supplies.
FEATURED PRODUCT OF THE MONTH
Our featured product this month is the Fargo DTC400 photo ID printer. The Fargo DTC400 digital card printer is designed to make photo ID printing easier than ever. It is easy to operate and requires very little maintenance.
The DTC400 uses an all-in-one print ribbon/card cleaning system. The printer ribbon installs in one easy step. A SmartClean roller is integrated into every printer cartridge, so there's no need to deal with a separate card cleaning mechanism. You can see this new style of printer cartridge by going here: http://www.abcoffice.com/dtc400_flash.htm.
Past printers were incapable of having additional features built-in, once they left the factory. Once a printer was purchased, a business would have to make do, even if additional features were needed. The DTC400 can be upgraded to meet higher-end photo ID needs later down the road. Many of these upgradeable features include adding a proximity card encoder, smart card encoder and magnetic stripe encoder. You can also add the capability to do double-sided ID card printing.
The DTC400 uses a LCD control panel, making it easy to understand prompts and commands. This means you will always know the status of print jobs. You can add encoding or dual-side printing modules to your printer as your needs grow. The DTC400 makes printing easy and is a good choice for small businesses and larger businesses alike, thanks to the upgradeable features. This should also help eliminate many of the questions and much of the fear when it comes to purchasing a printer that will meet all photo ID printing needs. Stop by our site and take a look at the new Fargo DTC400 ID card printer today! http://www.abcoffice.com/dtc400.htm
ASK DAVE QUESTIONS
Dave,
I'm sure you have explained this sometime in the past, but I have a question regarding magnetic stripe encoders. What is the difference between high and low coercivity. Should I get a printer that has the ability to encode, or purchase a separate unit?
Linda
Linda,
A magnetic stripe is available in both high and low coercivity. High-coercivity encoded cards typically have an almost black colored stripe on the back of the PVC card. These are commonly seen on credit cards. A high-coercivity card is inteded for long-term use and cannot be re-written. Low-coercivity cards have a stripe that is a light-to dark-brown color. These can commonly be found on hotel access cards, gift cards and employee ID cards. The low-coercivity process uses less powerful magnetic encoding and is used for re-writing data on a regular basis.
Having an encoder built into the ID card printer makes encoding much easier than having a separate card-encoding device. Most printers require that encoders be installed at the factory and cannot be added on later. The only printer I am aware of that can have an encoder installed after leaving the factory is the Fargo DTC400. If you already have a printer and need an encoder, a separate magnetic stripe encoder can be purchased. This will also get the job done. You can find all our printers here: http://www.abcoffice.com/print1.htm and our magnetic stripe encoders here: http://www.abcoffice.com/magread1.htm.
Dear Dave,
Do most people use full-color printing or do they use monochrome? I am looking for a cost-effective way to create employee ID cards for about 2,000 employees. What are your thoughts on this?
Thank you,
Martin
Martin,
There are several options that are popular when it comes to photo ID printing. A lot of it depends on your preference. Color printers and photo ID cards are far more popular than monochrome cards. Monochrome cards, however, cost much less to print.
Many companies will purchase pre-printed ID cards in color and use a black monochrome printer to print the picture and personal info. My local Sam's Club Store uses this method in creating their club member cards. It is also very popular to create a double-sided ID card with a full-color front and a monochrome back. This type of card still looks nice and saves you money over a double-sided full-color ID card. Some printer manufacturers have actually created ID card ribbons for this purpose. The ribbon has all the color panels needed for full-color printing, but have an additional black resin panel for monochrome printing on the backside of the card.
Monochrome is by far the most cost-effective way to create employee ID cards. Keep in mind that you can use a monochrome ribbon in a full-color printer. The nice thing about that is you can print full-color IDs if you decide to go that route in the future.
Dave,
I have noticed that you sell several versions of ID software. What brand/type do most people purchase?
Thanks So Much!
Camilla
Camilla,
We have found our Card 5 brand of photo ID software to be the most popular software to use for creating photo IDs. Customers have told me that it is easy to set up and that the included templates make creating an ID on the fly easy. There are several versions of Card 5 available depending on the size of the company and the features needed. The most basic version of Card 5 is the "Light" version. This entry-level version of Card 5 lets you create a photo I.D. and print it out without a problem. The "Light" version does not include any databasing capabilities. We usually recommend getting the "Professional" version of the software. Most companies will grow to a point were the features of the Card 5 "Light" won't keep up. The "Professional" version of Card 5 lets you create cards, create employee databases, batch print and more. You can see a comparison grid of all the versions of Card 5 by going here: http://www.abcoffice.com/idsoft.htm.
In order to make sure you continue to receive the Ask Dave newsletter, please be sure to contact your e-mail service provider and have them put us on their white list. With the increase of junk mail, many e-mail service providers are making it more difficult to send e-mails to customers. Putting us on a white list will ensure that you will continue to receive the best office equipment news and advice available.
We are continually looking for suggestions on topics you would like to read about for future newsletters. We love hearing from you and will take all your suggestions seriously. If you don't have any topic suggestions, ask us a question. We are industry experts, and are happy to answer all your inquiries. Send all your newsletter suggestions or questions to salesmanager@abcoffice.com
::::::::::
Our aim is to show you the products that interest you most. Let us know what you think. Offers only available at www.abcoffice.com. Not responsible for typographical errors.
This month's issue covers questions regarding photo ID systems, accessories and supplies.
FEATURED PRODUCT OF THE MONTH
Our featured product this month is the Fargo DTC400 photo ID printer. The Fargo DTC400 digital card printer is designed to make photo ID printing easier than ever. It is easy to operate and requires very little maintenance.
The DTC400 uses an all-in-one print ribbon/card cleaning system. The printer ribbon installs in one easy step. A SmartClean roller is integrated into every printer cartridge, so there's no need to deal with a separate card cleaning mechanism. You can see this new style of printer cartridge by going here: http://www.abcoffice.com/dtc400_flash.htm.
Past printers were incapable of having additional features built-in, once they left the factory. Once a printer was purchased, a business would have to make do, even if additional features were needed. The DTC400 can be upgraded to meet higher-end photo ID needs later down the road. Many of these upgradeable features include adding a proximity card encoder, smart card encoder and magnetic stripe encoder. You can also add the capability to do double-sided ID card printing.
The DTC400 uses a LCD control panel, making it easy to understand prompts and commands. This means you will always know the status of print jobs. You can add encoding or dual-side printing modules to your printer as your needs grow. The DTC400 makes printing easy and is a good choice for small businesses and larger businesses alike, thanks to the upgradeable features. This should also help eliminate many of the questions and much of the fear when it comes to purchasing a printer that will meet all photo ID printing needs. Stop by our site and take a look at the new Fargo DTC400 ID card printer today! http://www.abcoffice.com/dtc400.htm
ASK DAVE QUESTIONS
Dave,
I'm sure you have explained this sometime in the past, but I have a question regarding magnetic stripe encoders. What is the difference between high and low coercivity. Should I get a printer that has the ability to encode, or purchase a separate unit?
Linda
Linda,
A magnetic stripe is available in both high and low coercivity. High-coercivity encoded cards typically have an almost black colored stripe on the back of the PVC card. These are commonly seen on credit cards. A high-coercivity card is inteded for long-term use and cannot be re-written. Low-coercivity cards have a stripe that is a light-to dark-brown color. These can commonly be found on hotel access cards, gift cards and employee ID cards. The low-coercivity process uses less powerful magnetic encoding and is used for re-writing data on a regular basis.
Having an encoder built into the ID card printer makes encoding much easier than having a separate card-encoding device. Most printers require that encoders be installed at the factory and cannot be added on later. The only printer I am aware of that can have an encoder installed after leaving the factory is the Fargo DTC400. If you already have a printer and need an encoder, a separate magnetic stripe encoder can be purchased. This will also get the job done. You can find all our printers here: http://www.abcoffice.com/print1.htm and our magnetic stripe encoders here: http://www.abcoffice.com/magread1.htm.
Dear Dave,
Do most people use full-color printing or do they use monochrome? I am looking for a cost-effective way to create employee ID cards for about 2,000 employees. What are your thoughts on this?
Thank you,
Martin
Martin,
There are several options that are popular when it comes to photo ID printing. A lot of it depends on your preference. Color printers and photo ID cards are far more popular than monochrome cards. Monochrome cards, however, cost much less to print.
Many companies will purchase pre-printed ID cards in color and use a black monochrome printer to print the picture and personal info. My local Sam's Club Store uses this method in creating their club member cards. It is also very popular to create a double-sided ID card with a full-color front and a monochrome back. This type of card still looks nice and saves you money over a double-sided full-color ID card. Some printer manufacturers have actually created ID card ribbons for this purpose. The ribbon has all the color panels needed for full-color printing, but have an additional black resin panel for monochrome printing on the backside of the card.
Monochrome is by far the most cost-effective way to create employee ID cards. Keep in mind that you can use a monochrome ribbon in a full-color printer. The nice thing about that is you can print full-color IDs if you decide to go that route in the future.
Dave,
I have noticed that you sell several versions of ID software. What brand/type do most people purchase?
Thanks So Much!
Camilla
Camilla,
We have found our Card 5 brand of photo ID software to be the most popular software to use for creating photo IDs. Customers have told me that it is easy to set up and that the included templates make creating an ID on the fly easy. There are several versions of Card 5 available depending on the size of the company and the features needed. The most basic version of Card 5 is the "Light" version. This entry-level version of Card 5 lets you create a photo I.D. and print it out without a problem. The "Light" version does not include any databasing capabilities. We usually recommend getting the "Professional" version of the software. Most companies will grow to a point were the features of the Card 5 "Light" won't keep up. The "Professional" version of Card 5 lets you create cards, create employee databases, batch print and more. You can see a comparison grid of all the versions of Card 5 by going here: http://www.abcoffice.com/idsoft.htm.
In order to make sure you continue to receive the Ask Dave newsletter, please be sure to contact your e-mail service provider and have them put us on their white list. With the increase of junk mail, many e-mail service providers are making it more difficult to send e-mails to customers. Putting us on a white list will ensure that you will continue to receive the best office equipment news and advice available.
We are continually looking for suggestions on topics you would like to read about for future newsletters. We love hearing from you and will take all your suggestions seriously. If you don't have any topic suggestions, ask us a question. We are industry experts, and are happy to answer all your inquiries. Send all your newsletter suggestions or questions to salesmanager@abcoffice.com
::::::::::
Our aim is to show you the products that interest you most. Let us know what you think. Offers only available at www.abcoffice.com. Not responsible for typographical errors.