Magnetic Card Considerations

Nature of a Magnetic Stripe -

 

A Magnetic Stripe is an area of a card that is coated with magnetic iron oxide.  The iron oxide is like billions of microscopic magnets. During the encoding process (similar to recording a cassette tape) each of these magnets is subjected to a magnetic field which can "flip" each magnet, i.e. reverse it's polarity.  The pattern of the magnets is read by the reader to recover the data that has been encoded.

 

Visualization of the Magnetic Stripe -

 

Since a card that has been encoded is indeed magnetic, you can 'see' it by sprinkling iron dust on it -- or use a can of Geneva MagView spray that does the same thing. Once card is sprayed, however, do not put it into a reader again -- as the spray might damage the reader.

 

Types of Magnetic Stripes -

 

The most common is the "ABA" (American Banking Association) stripe, which is defined by ISO 7811.  The stripe area is approximately ½ of an inch wide and located about 0.2 inches from one of the long edges of the card.  This area holds three "tracks" of data.

In some applications, a 'Debit Stripe' (sometimes call a 'Junk Stripe') may be used. This stripe is very narrow and is used to hold an encrypted number representing the amount of "cash" on the card.  Users of the cards add "cash" to the card at special stations, then spend the cash at specially-equipped Abacus 21 POS Stations or Vending Machines equipped with special readers.

Magnetic Stripes can be made from two different types of iron oxide.  The original, older type is referred to as Low Coercivity or "Lo-Co".  This is still commonly used in bank ATM and Credit Cards.

The magnetic stripes on these cards are sometimes accidentally erased by stray magnetic fields.

The newer type of card uses iron oxide that requires a stronger encoding process.

These stripes are High Coercivity or "Hi-Co" and are much more resistant to accidental erasure.

Lo-Co magnetic stripes are usually dark brown in color, as compared to the black Hi-Co stripes.

Unfortunately, most of the magnetic stripe readers in use today can only read high or low coercivity stripes -- not both.  (Abacus 21 applications use only Hi-Coercivity Cards).  This means if you have existing readers, you must continue to use the same type of stripe, unless all of the readers are replaced.

 

Data Storage on a Magnetic Stripe -

 

Most stripes have three "tracks" of data:

 

 

Card Encoding -

 

Cards can be ordered pre-encoded, made by the Client using a (Photo) ID Card Printer with a built-in Encoder on 'blank' Card stock, or a combination of both styles (that is, full or partial printing on pre-encoded and perhaps pre-partially-printed Cards).

In each case, it is critical that the formatting of the information on the Card adhere to Abacus 21 specifications for the particular applications of usage.

Abacus 21 supplies both pre-encoded Cards, Photo ID Card Printers-Encoders, and related Software & Supplies.

Call Abacus 21 for discussion of details prior to making any decisions regarding Card Encoding.

 

Examples of Abacus 21 Card Encoding-Recognition Application Usages (which are sold separately) are:

 

Member-Client-Homeowner -

Guest-of-Member -

Hotel Guest -

Employees -

Other -

 

See also other Abacus 21 Identification Systems, including:

 

In 'attaching' the Card ID Cross-Reference to Members-Clients, Homeowners, Hotel Guests, Guest-of-Members, and Staff... Abacus 21 deploys two methodologies:

 

 

Some applications require specialized encoders which "encrypt" or use non-standard encoding -- and they typically involve an external encoder.

For example, some Access Control systems use encoders that have a proprietary encoding scheme such as "EMPI" or "EMPI II".

These formats greatly increase the security of the access system, but require use of the special encoder.

Some other systems use encoders that produce a single track that is wider than standard, known as "Wide Track 2".

This wider-than-normal track cannot be replicated by the encoders built into the printers.

A card with a standard width track 2 may work in some, but not all of the readers, depending on how they are adjusted.

You must be cautious and test every reader with a sample card.

 

Abacus 21 typically implements configurations that "jumble" or encrypt the characters-digits in the assigned card number.

For example, the first card issued might be assigned card number "000001", and the Access System might expect to read a card with the encoding as "349284".

In this case, the encoder in the printer is capable of properly recording the stripe, it just has no way to know how to "jumble" or "encrypt" the card number. This is accomplished in the Abacus 21 Software application.

Debit stripes are pre-encoded and cannot be encoded by a Card Printer.

 

Card Encoding based on Application Data -

 

When encoding the magnetic stripe, all data needed to encode the stripe must be included in the database or 'composed' by the Abacus 21 application... for example, a field might be needed for the card number, an issue count, etc.

 

Keep in mind that there are three tracks, and each track can be encoded with different data.

 

Some fields may need to be padded with zeros, or combined with other fields (concatenated) before encoding.

 

The Abacus 21 software has the ability to combine fields and format data for each track separately -- and can, of course, encode different types of Cards differently.

 

Precautions with Back-Side Printing -

 

You cannot reliably print within approximately .1 inches of the stripe.

 

It is not recommended to print in the small space between the edge of the Card and the Stripe.

 

The Printer should be configured to not apply any protective overlay or laminate over the Magnetic Stripe -- as this would prevent the Magnetic Stripe from reading reliably.

 

Magnetic Stripe Encoding Standards -

 

Click here for specifications.

 

Names on Cards -

 

Because of the layout of the Card itself, careful consideration needs to be exercised in determining what variation of a Name is to be printed on a Card.

 

Keep in mind that we have to provide space for the 'longest of all Members' Names -- and that the Logo, Membership Type, and other elements on the Card can consume the majority of the space on the Card...  leaving not much room for the Name -- which is, of course, of variable length (since any component of a Name can be lengthy in and of itself.

 

Example:  Full Name is Mr. John Philip Sousa Jr.

 

Choices: