With its 2.2.2 Java Card release, Sun Microsystems has added contactless capabilities and biometrics support for smart card chip manufacturers and smart card vendors. The Cardtech announcement came prior to a talk on the “Future of Java Card” to be delivered by Sun’s chief information officer. Beneficiaries of the new platform specification include telecom service providers, government IT agencies, and payment associations. 

A California company has released a software peripheral called EzWriter that’s designed to read and write data to mag stripe cards used for access control, identification, loyalty and more. The encoding quality, according to ID TECH, exceeds the ISO 7811 standards for mag stripe cards. 

Seeking to prevent further thefts of expensive equipment, a Utah community college installed 120 Schlage Computer-Managed locks that also provide an audit trail of the last 1,000 events involving the locks. 

Datacard has released a new card issuance system with modular capabilities that include enhanced color printing technology, high-speed laser engraving and smart card personalization coupled with data security. In addition, the new system helps minimize cost-per card and operator intervention. 

Vanderbilt University has installed CBORD’s online ordering system at a popular on-campus eatery. The two kiosks, which fit inside a Jack Daniel’s distillery barrel, brought in $115,000 in revenue for the Tennessee college in just two months. 

Canadian photo card management software supplier Aptika has released a new version of its software that includes double-sided printing, mag stripe encoding, fingerprint capture, and dual-sided card design capabilities. The new software also allows for integration with more devices, such as barcode readers and digital cameras. 

Network print management provider GoPrint Systems has developed a direct interface to NuVision Networks One Card System. While designed specifically for Texas A&M International University, the new interface will work with any school utilizing the One Card program and GoPrint’s GS-3.