Does the magnetic card reader-writer card issuer still have application demands?
A magnetic card is a kind of card that uses a magnetic carrier to record information and has the following characteristics:
Low cost:
The manufacturing process of magnetic cards is relatively simple, and the cost of the required raw materials is not high. Moreover, the price of magnetic card reader-writer devices is also relatively inexpensive. The overall usage cost is low, making it suitable for large-scale applications. For example, the membership cards and attendance cards of some small merchants often take the form of magnetic cards.
Convenient to use:
Magnetic cards are small in size and easy to carry. Users can easily put them in their wallets or pockets. When in use, they only need to insert the magnetic card into or bring it close to the magnetic card reader-writer device, and the reading or writing operation of the information can be quickly completed. There is no need for a complex operation process, and it is easily accepted by users.
Good compatibility:
Magnetic cards have relatively unified international standards, and there is usually good compatibility between magnetic cards and reader-writer devices produced by different manufacturers. This means that a magnetic card can be used on different reader-writer devices that meet the standards, facilitating users’ use in different places and regions.
Limited storage capacity:
Generally speaking, the storage capacity of magnetic cards is relatively small. Usually, only some basic information can be stored, such as the card number, user’s name, simple transaction records, etc. For application scenarios that require storing a large amount of data, magnetic cards may not be able to meet the needs.
Low security:
The information storage method of magnetic cards is relatively simple, and it is easy to be copied and tampered with. Lawbreakers can easily read the information in the magnetic card with special equipment and copy it to other magnetic cards, resulting in the leakage of users’ information and economic losses, reference to : SECURITY NATIONAL BANK EXPLAIN. Moreover, magnetic cards usually lack an effective identity verification mechanism. Once lost or stolen, they are easily misused by others.
Susceptible to external interference:
The magnetic stripe in the magnetic card is easily affected by external factors such as magnetic fields and physical wear and tear. For example, putting the magnetic card together with strong magnetic field sources such as mobile phones and magnets, or frequently bending and folding the magnetic card, may cause the data on the magnetic stripe to be lost or incorrect, affecting the normal use of the magnetic card.
Due to the defects of magnetic cards such as their security and capacity, they will gradually be replaced by more advanced chip cards. However, because of their long application history, the replacement not only requires the replacement of individual magnetic cards with chip cards but also involves operating devices, application software, etc., and the replacement process requires a large cost. Against this background, magnetic card reader-writers and card issuers still have certain application demands at present, which are mainly reflected in the following aspects:
The existing stock market in specific industries
o In some traditional industries, due to historical reasons and cost considerations, magnetic card systems are still widely used, which generates a continuous demand for magnetic card reader-writers and card issuers. For example, in public transportation systems such as buses and subways, many cities’ bus cards still use magnetic card technology, and magnetic card reader-writers and card issuers are needed for operations such as card issuance, recharge, and information reading. In addition, in the one-card system of some schools, especially some schools established earlier, magnetic cards may still be in use to achieve functions such as dining in the cafeteria, access control of dormitories, and borrowing books from the library. Magnetic card reader-writers and card issuers can be used to issue new cards to students and faculty members and manage card information.
Small enterprises and merchants
o In aspects such as membership management and attendance management, small enterprises and merchants may choose to use magnetic card systems. For them, magnetic card reader-writers and card issuers have the advantages of low cost and simple operation. For example, some small supermarkets and convenience stores issue magnetic cards to their members. Through magnetic card reader-writers and card issuers, they record members’ information and consumption points to provide member discounts and promotional activities. Small factories or offices may adopt a magnetic card attendance system and use magnetic card reader-writers and card issuers to issue attendance cards to employees and record their attendance situations.
Temporary cards and disposable cards
o In some specific scenarios, temporary cards or disposable cards are required, and magnetic card reader-writers and card issuers can meet such needs. For example, in some temporary event venues, such as exhibitions and concerts, in order to facilitate personnel management and access control, temporary magnetic cards will be issued, and relevant information will be quickly written into the cards through magnetic card reader-writers and card issuers. Some hotels also provide guests with disposable magnetic card room keys. Magnetic card reader-writers and card issuers are used to write room information and permissions when guests check in, and the cards can be invalidated after guests check out.
Although magnetic card reader-writers and card issuers still have applications in some fields, with the development of technology, their application scope may gradually be restricted. In some scenarios with high requirements for security and functionality, they will gradually be replaced by more advanced smart card reader-writer devices or other identity recognition technologies.
We recommend a magnetic card reader-writer and card issuer from Lintech, the device with the model number K212-M800. The features of the device are as follows:
(The price is around 300 US dollars)
- Diverse functions: It supports the reading, writing, and card issuing operations of IC cards, RFID cards, and magnetic cards, and can meet the usage requirements of various card types. During the card renewal process, the device needs to have the ability to be compatible with previous and subsequent card types.
2. High-quality materials: It adopts the design of a fully enclosed movable card box and a closed recycling box. The card box has options of 100pcs/150pcs, and the standard configuration has a capacity of 110pcs. The product shell is made of composite plastic that is resistant to high temperature, wear, and aging. Stainless steel is embedded on both sides of the card moving channel, which improves the product’s strength and precision.
3. User-friendly design: The module installation structure is convenient for customers to maintain the product. The carefully designed appearance is novel, and its precision reaches or exceeds that of similar products globally. There are multiple card placement positions set up, which can meet different needs of customers. It has the functions of card empty and pre-empty detection and sound alarm, which can timely remind users.
4. Convenient communication: It is equipped with an RS232 serial interface, which is suitable for multi-machine connection and convenient for integration into various systems.
5. Strong environmental adaptability: The operating temperature is from 0℃ to 45℃, and the operating humidity is 30～90% (relative humidity), and it can operate stably under various environmental conditions.
6. Perfect protection mechanism: It has an anti-theft card swiping function, which to a certain extent ensures the security of the device and card information.
Applications
In the financial field: It can be used for the issuance of bank cards at bank branches. At the same time, it supports the reading and writing of magnetic cards and IC cards to meet the needs of different customers for card types. In the upgrading and transformation of devices such as ATMs and POS machines, if it is necessary to add multiple card reading and writing functions, this device can be integrated as a functional module to achieve efficient processing of different bank cards.
In the transportation industry: In public transportation systems such as buses and subways, it is used for the issuance and management of transportation cards. It can perform reading and writing operations on IC cards and RFID cards to achieve functions such as fare deduction and recharge for riding. In the parking lot management system, it can be used to issue and read RFID parking cards for vehicles entering and leaving, and complete the record of vehicle entry and exit and charging management.
In enterprise and campus management: Enterprises can use this device to issue employee attendance cards and access control cards, supporting multiple forms such as magnetic cards, IC cards, or RFID cards, which is convenient for employee identity recognition and access management. In the campus, it can be used to make campus one-card systems to achieve functions such as cafeteria consumption, library borrowing, and dormitory access control. Through the reading and writing of different types of cards, it meets the diversified management needs of the campus.
In the membership management system: In places such as shopping malls, supermarkets, and hotels, this device is used to issue membership cards to members. It can read and write the membership information and points information in the membership cards, which is convenient for merchants to carry out membership management and marketing activities.
User Maual：
USER Manual Download：User Manual K212-M800.pdf