Protecting Construction Sites with Photo ID Badges

Construction sites are big, messy and very busy places filled with contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers, supervisors and all types of vehicles and equipment.

Construction sites are also places where constant security is a high priority.

Most construction sites are surrounded by fencing designed to prevent access from unauthorized individuals. Some may also hire security services to monitor who enters and exits the site.

One consistent element in this vital security effort is the use ID badges (or ID cards) – ideally, photo ID badges that are worn by everyone who is authorized to be on the site.

Photo ID badges allow security personnel to quickly determine whether a worker or visitor should have access to the construction site.

 

Why contractors need to think about construction site security

There are many reasons why a construction site needs to be secure.

• Theft prevention – this is a very real concern as construction sites often contain expensive equipment, tools and supplies.
• Vandalism prevention –  property developers and general contractors know their projects need to be protected from all intruders including those who may want to disrupt the project or harm the reputation of the builders.
• Controlled access – security will control access to the main construction site as well as other areas or buildings that may have restricted access to just a handful of people.
• Safety – your workers are expected to understand safety precautions, but unauthorized visitors may not be aware of certain hazards.
• Work quality – to ensure quality, your negotiations may have included agreements on which personnel will be working on the project.
• Liability protection – your lawyers and insurance companies will expect you to take the necessary precautions with your construction site – to demonstrate your attention to security and safety.
• Worker accountability – at some point, you may want to know exactly when certain workers or contractors arrived to the site and when they left. This is for financial, safety and security reasons.

Why you need to produce your ID badges on-site

As you develop your building plan and schedule, you know you will need to create a list of everyone who will be on your construction site – either regularly or from time to time.

Even with the best of planning, you know you will have to last-minute changes in workers, unexpected deliveries and unplanned sites – all of which will require their own ID badges.

How will you produce those badges?

Today, you can have your own ID badge-making system in your office – an “on-the-fly” system that can produce new badges in just minutes.  No outsourcing.  No delays.  No departures from your security process.

A new worker or supplier arrives, provides the necessary credentials, allows you to take photo and presto – a new photo ID badge with all the information your security system requires.

Starting from scratch?  Let’s look at a complete ID badge-making system

When you’re running a busy construction site, the last thing you need is a complicated, multi-step process for creating photo ID badges.

What you need is a simple, but complete, all-in-one system that allows you to create, print and use photo ID cards on the spot – and quickly

Here’s how it should work whenever a new worker or visitor comes to your construction site:

• You ask and verify certain questions and type them into your laptop
• You ask the visitor to stand in front of your camera, click and upload to the laptop.
• You preview the badge on screen and, if you’re satisfied, you press PRINT.
• You place the badge in a badge holder and give it to the worker or visitor

Here’s what you need to get started …

1. The Software – ID badge creation software
2. The Printer – D card printer with cards and supplies
3. The Camera – works with your software and printer
4. The Card Reader – provides access control to secured areas or buildings

Of course, you may already have some of these pieces in place. In that case, let’s talk about the individual components.

Let’s take a closer look …

1-The Software

Before you can print the ID card, you need to design it – and that’s what the software will do for you.

We offer our own ID creation software called BadgeBuilder.  In three versions for different levels of usage and technology.

With BadgeBuilder® all data is stored in a private database so a lost card is replaced in a flash without having to retake a picture or re-enter data. Simply pull up the database entry and print out a new card.

BadgeBuilder® is compatible with multiple cameras and printer lines, contains a powerful array of options and has full Windows® 7, 8, 10 support. All this makes BadgeBuilder® the choice for your ID creation needs.

 

2-The Printer (with ribbons, cards and supplies)

The printer is the workhorse of your ID card-making system.

We recommend the Magicard family of ID card printers.  You can choose a printer that best matches your printing, technology needs and budget.

Of course, you’ll need printer ribbons, cleaning kits, blank or proximity cards and various types of badge holders, lanyards and other accessories.  And we can provide those as well.

 

3-The Camera

Pretty much any camera will work if you want to go through the multi-step process of uploading, retrieving, downloading and positioning.

But we offer a camera that eliminates all those steps.  Just shoot, click and the photo is automatically uploaded to the card design.

In other words, a camera designed specifically for the software.

 

4-The Card Reader

Card readers come in many varieties – from a simple barcode or card swiping reader to the more advanced magnetic stripe or smart card systems.

We can provide all types of card readers.

However, it’s important to remember that the more advanced technologies may require some printer enhancements and the use of so-called proximity cards.

 

More about the Magicard family of ID badge printers

If you are in the market for an ID badge printer or card maker, Magicard is a name you can count on.

Magicard offers a range or ID card printers to serve the needs and usage volume of an job site.

From a simple, entry-level unit that prints in low volume to more advanced products that offer higher volumes and expanded technology, Magicard offers these three very popular models

• Magicard Pronto 100 – for entry level usage
• Magicard 300 – for moderate users needing some technology
• Magicard 600 – for advanced and high volume users needing more advanced technology

You can find more about these printers (including pricing) by following the links above or by clicking here.

Reliable ID badge printers – with all kinds of options

Magicard comes with many powerful standard features, but also with these options:

• Print one-sided or two-sided cards
• Print in full color or one color
• Add an ID photo
• Print one at a time or in bulk
• Produce cards for scanning, swiping or smart recognition
• Prevent counterfeiting with its patented Holokote watermark technology

 

Want to get started?  Let’s talk first.

If you’re new to all this … if you are considering your first ID badge printer purchase, we invite you to call us – actually call our Magicard expert, Drew Carey.

Drew knows these products inside and out – and he will walk you through a series of questions to help you determine which model makes the most sense for you.  He will also explain what supplies and accessories you might need to get started.

Interested in a “starter bundle?”  Drew will be happy to put together everything you need to get started.  And you can be sure he will give you the very best pricing we have available.

You can reach Drew by phone at 800-856-4735 or by email at sales@secureidbadgesupplies.com.