In the residence hall included in the pilot, instead of presenting their USF One Cards, participating students used the aptiQmobile application on their personal iPhones to enter the building or pay for laundry using their existing credentials. The NFC credential integrates with USF’s CS Gold campus card system from CBORD.

“We want our use of near field communications to enhance the USF One Card experience on many levels, which is why we introduced it for both door access and laundry payment,” said Jason Rossi, director of USF’s One Card and Campus Security Systems. “Our students have embraced it, telling us they prefer the convenience of their iPhones to digging for their One Cards. This convenience is important to us, but equally important is the security of using their existing contactless credentials, keeping our transactions secure.”

“An added benefit of the aptiQmobile NFC solution is that USF did not need to change out readers,” said Raj Venkat, business leader for readers and credentials at Ingersoll Rand. “This is because Ingersoll Rand’s multi-technology readers are already installed. It’s simply a matter of downloading the credentials to the students’ phones and they are ready to go.”

Both the USF and Villanova pilots received high marks from participants. The second phase of the Villanova test is expected include more participants and cover laundry as well as door access.