Complete ID Card Solutions
Windmill Computing also has considerable experience in developing complete solutions. We can offer a complete package of products and assistance in integrating them together, to create an ID card system that is suited to your needs. We can also offer bespoke software development services, to cope with those situations where the standard solutions can't provide exactly what you need.
We have plenty of experience developing for Windows using Visual C++/MFC and more recently C#.NET. We have developed websites using ASP/Access and PHP/MySQL/Zend Framework and SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) techniques.
We also have plenty experience of programming using the SDKs supplied with ID card printers and reader/writers, and the techniques involved in programming these devices.
Below is a list of some projects that we have worked on for clients. Click on the links for more details.
- National Smart Card Project (NSCP)
- CX320 Retransfer Printer Card Encoding
- Time and Attendance System
- Image Capture for Enrollment System
National Smart Card Project (NSCP)
We assisted in writing software to write data to ID cards
as part of the National Smart Card Project (NSCP) trial
by Kingston and Lambeth councils. The software took data stored
in an XML file, converted it into the specified format,
and wrote it to the card.
The cards used were 4K Mifare cards. Two different readers
were used, one for each trial: the CardMan 5121 and
the GemTAG X501.
The data was organised using a series of directories, and encoded
using the BER-TLV (tag-length-value) format.
The integrity of the data was confirmed by using Cyclic Redundancy
Checking (CRC).
CX320 Retransfer Printer Card Encoding
The CX320 retransfer printer can have a card writer built in
to combine the printing and programming of cards.
We have written software that can control the entire process.
The system works by first transferring the card from the tray to the writer.
Then, when the card has been encoded, it is passed on to the printer.
Finally, the card is ejected.
The CX320 can support magnetic stripe encoding, contact card encoding,
and proximity card encoding, depending on the option built into the printer.
Time and Attendance System
Windmill Computing has developed its own Time and Attendance system.
It is designed to work with the RF IDeas range of pcProx readers.
These are meant to complement existing physical access systems
by allowing a PC to read the serial number from the cards used by door readers.
The program uses these serial numbers to log users in and out of the system.
The program has a wide range of configuration options,
which allow the user to work with different kinds of databases,
and over a network. It allows allows the administrator to print out reports to check,
for instance, who is currently in the building.
It is possible to have the system customised to fit in with the specific needs
of a client.
The system has been successfully used by Securitas and Sodexho.
Image Capture for Enrollment System
We have created a web-based system for capturing pictures of individuals as part
of an enrollment process, such as that of students.
The individual logs in with his/her credentials, such as name and date of birth; then
he or she is able to take a photo of himself/herself using the webcam. The user then
has the option of accepting the photo or retaking it.
The application uses a TWAIN interface to a webcam, supplied by an Active X control,
to take the picture.
