Going Cashless for Increased Security on Campus

Going Cashless By Chris Lyons, Managing Director at Systopia International.

Going Cashless for Increased Security on Campus - “Over recent years technology has rapidly developed and with many different types of technology available, that provide a number of solutions for the higher education sector, it can often be overwhelming for operators to find the right equipment to suit the needs of their campus.

“This can be a particularly important decision when it comes to finding the best technology to oversee the security of a campus, which is one of the main responsibilities Facilities Managers face.  However, what operators might be surprised to learn is that security solutions can come in the unusual form of cashless payment systems which provide an all-in-one solution for security and access control.

“In an increasingly mobile world cashless payments are on the rise and are fast becoming the norm.  Recent research by the Payments Council revealed that the use of cashless payments has now overtaken that of notes and cash, with only 48% of transactions now made using cash^[i].  With experts predicting that cash volumes are expected to fall by an additional 30% over the next 10 years^[ii], we are facing up to a new age of spending habits and processes.  Fumbling for change and counting out coins could soon become a thing of the past for both staff and pupils.

“As a result of this change in payment habits, we are seeing a significant rise in cashless payment systems which not only offer a much more efficient way of working for universities and colleges, but also provide numerous added benefits - particularly enhanced security.

“Using Radio-Frequency Identification [RFID] technology, cashless payment technology can be integrated onto existing student cards or passes and provide a one-stop token which can be used to gain access into a building.  These cards can also be used to pay for food and beverages on site, as well as many other services within the university environment such as car parking, printing and library fares.

“By integrating the cashless technology onto one card it is a much simpler and easier system to manage and also ensures only those with cards can operate within the university environment.  Through the use of RFID technology, Facilities Managers are able to track where a card is located at any time and view the activity history, meaning if a card was lost or stolen, they could easily be tracked and stopped.  In addition to this, any money which had been spent during a theft could be seen on the account history, making it easy to identify the funds owed back, offering peace of mind for students and staff.

“This ‘all-access’ card also means there will be reduced amounts of cash in the tills and vending machines, dramatically lowering the danger of theft and decreasing the risk of fraud through the reduction of paperwork.  Not only this, there will also be fewer overheads on transporting and counting cash and the chance of accepting counterfeit money will be removed.  With data released by the Bank of England reporting that 430,000 counterfeit banknotes were discovered and removed from circulation during 2014[iii], this is a threat which Facilities Managers need to protect their campus against.

“At universities and colleges the core customer base is the younger generation – the ‘digital generation’ – for who using new technologies is second nature.  By investing in a cashless payment system operators will not only offer facilities which meet the students’ needs, they will also experience a more convenient, efficient and secure payment method which will increase both the security of transactions and of the whole premises.   We believe that in order for Facilities Managers to remain truly competitive in the future keeping up with the way in which technology is advancing is key – payment technology offers no exception.”

To find out how your campus can benefit from Systopia’s cashless payment systems visit www.systopia.co.uk or call 0800 085 2056.

Background Information on Systopia:

Systopia, established in 2008, provides cashless systems, cashless vending and cashless catering for the Business, Education, Healthcare, Leisure and Stadia sectors. With an impressive record of delivering the highest standards in reliable and innovative cashless solutions, Systopia boasts an impressive and extensive client list.

Using RFID technology, Systopia’s cashless systems integrate directly with proximity cards, such as security, ID or membership cards, allowing users to pay for items in a fast and convenient way. With the way that transactions take place changing rapidly, Systopia is leading the way in this cashless revolution, offering cashless systems combining modern, high-class and reliable EPOS systems with cashless vending.

In partnership with leading hardware providers, Systopia is able to offer stylish and efficient cashless systems capable of handling any requirement. With unique Cashless Payment Terminals and reliable EPOS suites, Systopia offers cashless systems that are ruggedized for retail yet stylish enough for the most high-end settings. Systopia strives to offer complete cashless catering systems and also provide dynamic cashless vending readers as part of your cashless solution.

With one eye on the future, Systopia provides cashless systems that are compatible with a variety of payment methods, which can be integrated into the same EPoS terminal. Alternative forms of integrated payment are becoming more and more popular amongst customers, with mobile payments and banking requirements for ‘Wave and Pay’ technology, to name just two that Systopia’s cashless systems can accept.