How to Pick Hardware that Meets Your ID Scanning Needs

Read Time: 4 Min

When a potential new customer first calls us, it is our job to listen to them and learn their needs. There are a wide variety of uses for ID scanning, and our products offer solutions to these needs. Our products can provide a visitor management solution, an automatic data collection tool, ID authentication, and much more. So it is imperative that we understand what they’re looking for.

To learn about a new customer, we ask them a series of questions about the ID scanning they will be doing. The answers to these questions allow us to make our best recommendation as to which of our product(s) that prospect will need. Some of these questions include:

• “Why do you need to scan IDs?” Is it to verify age? To verify the person’s identity? Collect information?
• “Where will you be scanning?” Is there electricity and internet access?
• “What types of IDs will you be scanning?” Driver’s licenses only? Passports and international IDs?

While much of our focus at IDScan.net is on the software that scan IDs, especially today where mobile apps are on the rise, we also consider ourselves hardware experts. A complete ID scanning solution typically consists of both software and hardware. In many cases, there are hardware requirements to utilize software features. One example of this is passport scanning: if you purchase software that scans passports, but an ID scanner that only reads drivers’ licenses, then you can’t scan passports.

Don’t worry: we’re here to help. The information we collect to assess your software needs also informs our hardware recommendation. And if you’re wondering where to start, we encourage you to consider the following factors:

Why You’re Scanning

Why are you scanning IDs? In instances where you simply need to verify age or capture customer information, a 2D barcode scanner should be sufficient (The 2D barcode is found on drivers’ licenses and all government-issued IDs in the US.The technology for passports is different—see below). If you need to perform higher level security checks, such as Ultraviolet (UV) light detection, then you will need a scanner that has UV light. And if you need to capture an image of the ID or a credit card, then make sure you select a scanner that has these capabilities.

Where You’re Scanning

Where you’re scanning matters. The first question is whether you’d be best served by a desktop or mobile scanner. Desktop scanners require a computer and take up more space but have other benefits. If you’re scanning IDs in outdoors, we have mobile scanners that are rugged and can perform in the rain.

Types of IDs

Are you scanning drivers’ licenses, passports and international IDs, or a combination? We offer some hardware that only reads the 2D barcode found on North American drivers’ licenses, and we offer other hardware that only reads the machine-readable zone (MRZ) found on passports. And of course, we offer hardware that can read both.

Countless Combinations

When you consider the above three factors, you may find yourself with a unique set of needs. IDScan.net has sought out the best scanners from the world’s top manufacturers, so we have hardware that meets a wide variety of needs. For example:

• If you’re looking for a desktop driver’s license scanner that can run a UV test and capture an image, the CR5400 by Gemalto is a good option.
• If you need the above features to scan drivers’ licenses and passports, then you might need the Gemalto AT9000.
• If you are looking for a rugged mobile scanner that can read drivers’ licenses and passports, then you’re in the market for a Panasonic N1.
• And if your mobile scanning finds your checking drivers’ licenses indoors, then the IDWare9000—part if IDScan.net’s exclusive line of hardware—could be for you.

While there are a number of factors to consider when shopping for ID scanning hardware, you can take comfort in knowing there are many different options. We encourage you to visit our online store or call a member of our staff to find the right scanner for you: 504-434-0222.

About IDScan.net

IDScan.net offers the highest quality ID scanning solutions to quickly and easily capture and verify an individual’s information. With 100% accuracy, our technology can tell your front line staff what they need to know about the person standing in front of them. Trusted by top brands like IBM and Shell, our suite of customizable solutions is being deployed by leaders across industries from gaming and hospitality to retail and finance. As the first company to market with mobile ID scanning capabilities, IDScan.net continues to pioneer cutting-edge technologies that anticipate the rapidly evolving needs of tomorrow. For more information, visit IDScan.net.