ADM
Automatic Debit Machine, often used to transfer credit to a debit card, either from cash or from an on-line financial account.

ALL-CAMPUS CARD
A concept whereas a single photo identification card is used for access to hundreds of services throughout a college or university campus; it is provided to all students, faculty, staff & administration; the card usually provides pre-approved financial, security & verification privileges, usually interdepartmental, and often interfaces with more than one computer system, which however remains transparent in its operation to each cardholder.

ANSI
American National Standards Institute.

ATM
Automatic Teller Machine, often used to receive and dispense cash at banking and financial institutions.

ATTENDED
Refers to a type of equipment (card reader and/or card system) which requires the presence of an employee to operate the card reader for the cardholder (e.g. Cash Register); opposite of "unattended".

BAR CODE
A series of vertical bars, usually black on white, of specific widths, and arranged in a unique sequential pattern to represent binary data.

BIT
A unit of binary storage.

BOARD PLAN
A Meal Plan usually required by resident students.

BPI
Bits per inch.

BYTE
Memory space for one character of data.

CASH CARD
An identification card with monetary value (credit) affixed to the card generally for use in off-line systems; also referred to as Prepaid Card, Stored Value Card.

CASH EQUIVALENCY
An option within a Meal Plan which allows a cardholder to trade a meal in a board operation for cash credit at another food service operation on campus (sometimes operated by another food service department or company); no reservations and/or tickets are required in advance.

CHIP CARD
An identification card which contains an integrated circuit (IC), memory and some logic capability (limited non-volatile memory); an IC card.

COERCIVE FORCE
The energy necessary to encode or erase information on a magnetic stripe; usually expressed in Oersteds.

COERCIVITY
The amount of magnetic retention value (expressed in Oersteds) necessary to contain information on a magnetic stripe. "Low" or "Regular" coercivity is generally in the range of 300 - 400 Oersteds, while "High" is usually in the range of 3,000 - 4,000 Oersteds.

COMBO MEAL PLAN
A Meal Plan which includes both a fixed number of meals per period and some type of Point Plan. This type of plan is becoming increasingly popular (especially with parents) in that it provides dining options with a guaranteed number of meals.

CONTACT CARD
A card where the media (magnetic stripe, smart card metallic pads, etc.) must be in physical contact with a reading device (e.g. read head) in a card reader for information to be transmitted between the card and the reader.

CONTACTLESS CARD
A card where the media (magnetic stripe, smart card metallic pads, etc.) are in close proximity but never in physical contact with a reading device (e.g. read head) in a card reader for information to be transmitted between the card and the reader.

CORE
The center section (internal) of an identification card.

CPU
Central processing unit (micro-processor) or section of a computer that converts information.

CREDIT CARD
A plastic card which authorizes specific financial privileges, including an "inclining balance" or the immediate extension of financial credit to a financial account (residing either in a host computer or within the card itself) as a result of the purchase of products and/or services. The purchase usually cannot exceed the credit limit for the financial account.

CREDIT PLAN
A Points Plan which provides for charging of points upon usage of products or services; charging of points (usually) cannot exceed the "credit limit" plus any deposited "points".

CRT TERMINAL
A monitor which usually is attached to or with a keyboard (cathode ray tube).

DEBIT CARD
A plastic card which authorizes specific financial privileges, including a "declining balance" or the immediate deduction of a financial account (residing either in a host computer or within the card itself) as a result of the purchase of products and/or services. The financial account balance must usually exceed the purchase.

DEBIT CARD READER
A card reader which deducts or "debits" a cardholder's financial account balance (either on-line or off-line). This type of reader can often utilize electronic memory to store transactions.

DEBIT PLAN
A Points Plan which provides for deduction of points upon usage of products or services; deduction of points (usually) cannot exceed the actual account balance of deposited "points".

DECLINING BALANCE
A Points Plan which provides for deduction of points upon usage of products or services; deduction of points (usually) cannot exceed the actual account balance of deposited "points".

DOOR READER
A card reader used exclusively with access to doors; some types of readers may be used with internal doors (offices, storerooms, etc.), external doors (entrances), or both.

DUAL MEAL PLAN
A member of multiple Meal Plans can designate which plan will be used first.

EEPROM
Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory, or memory chip than stores information; it can be erased and reused.

EMBOSSING
Raised letters and/or numbers on an identification card.

ENCODED
Information which is written to the media (magnetic stripe, IC chip) on an identification card.

EPROM
Electrically Programmable Read Only Memory, or memory chip than stores information; it cannot be erased or reused.

FUNCTION READER
A card reader which validates access to a specific service, event or function. "Single" function readers can check only one activity. "Multiple" function readers have the ability to check more than one activity, often simultaneously. Both types of readers can often utilize electronic memory to store transactions.

HOLOGRAM
A unique graphic image on an identification card that gives a three dimensional effect.

HYBRID CARD
An identification card which supports more than one card technology.

IC CARD
An identification card which contains an integrated circuit (IC), memory and some logic capability; International Standards Organization (ISO) standard card.

ID CARD
Identification Card.

INCLINING BALANCE
A Points Plan which provides for charging of points upon usage of products or services; charging of points (usually) cannot exceed the "credit limit" plus any deposited "points".

INDEPENDENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT
An objective professional with special expertise, impartial advice, and financially independent of all vendors, who assists administrators and managers to better define and more efficiently achieve their organizational goals.

ISO
International Standards Organization.

KIOSK
An electronic information source, often cable of utilizing a card, accessing/printing information, and processing transactions; units may be of varying size (from a small card reader to an enclosed standalone ATM).

LAMINATE
The process of combining materials utilizing heat, pressure & time.

MAGNETIC STRIPE
A card technology used to transfer information from a card to a computer system; it utilizes a strip of magnetic tape attached to or imbedded on the surface of the card.

MAGNETIC STRIPE CARD
An identification card which utilizes at least one magnetic stripe to store information; most commonly used with financial transaction applications.

MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT (INDEPENDENT)
An objective professional with special expertise, impartial advice, and financially independent of all vendors, who assists administrators and managers to better define and more efficiently achieve their organizational goals.

MEAL PLAN
A method of payment for food other than cash; although the majority of "plan members" are usually residents, these plans are often marketed to other populations, including commuter students, faculty and staff/employees. Such plans often carry usage restrictions (e.g. locations, days, times, etc.) and/or options (e.g. sack meal, ticket/voucher, cash equivalency).

MEMORY CARD
An identification card that contains an integrated circuit (IC) chip and stores information, but does not contain any logic capability.

MICRO-PROCESSOR
a central processing unit (CPU) or section of a computer that converts information.

MULTIPLE APPLICATION CARD
An identification card which provides several types of access to several classes of applications (e.g. Security System: Door Access & Parking Lot Access and Food Service System: Meal Plan Privilege).

MULTIPLE FUNCTION CARD
An identification card which provides several types of access to a specific class of application (e.g. Security System: Door Access & Parking Lot Access).

MULTIPLE FUNCTION READER
A card reader which validates access to several specific services, events or functions, often simultaneously; most of these readers utilize electronic memory to store transactions.

OCR
Optical Character Recognition.

OERSTED
A unit of energy (coercive force) necessary to encode or erase information on a magnetic stripe.

OFF-LINE
Usually refers to equipment which does not require continuous connection to a host computer, via communications lines, in order for a transaction to be processed.

ON-LINE
Usually refers to equipment which requires continuous connection to a host computer, via communications lines, in order for a transaction to be processed.

OPTICAL MEMORY CARD
An identification card which uses some form of laser to transfer information from the card to a computer system; it contains multiple layers of laminated plastic to protect an optical recording layer imbedded in the card; commonly used with storage of images, maintenance history & health records.

OVERLAY
Clear plastic placed on the outside of an identification card.

PIN
Personal Identification Number, a series of numbers used to identify the cardholder (e.g. Social Security Number); frequently a series of confidential numbers often used to access a product or service.

POINT-OF-SALE
Point-Of-Sale; the point of the transaction when the consumer presents a card for purchase of a product or service; in reference to hardware, usually refers to Point-Of-Sale cash register with keys which represent products; in reference to marketing, refers to actual physical location (e.g. cashier counter, ATM) where consumer purchases product or service.

POINTS PLAN
A type of cardholder account from which products and/or services can be charged (credit) or deducted (debit). Deposits and/or payments are in the form of "points"; a point is usually equivalent to a penny ($ .01) in value. Points Plans are commonly setup as Food Only, Non-Food, or FLEX ("flexible"). Such plans sometimes carry restrictions (e.g. locations, days, times, etc.).

POLL
To retrieve data electronically; usually initiated by a host computer system.

POLYESTER
A type of plastic used in the production of identification cards, characterized by its durable and flexible properties.

POS
Point-Of-Sale.

PREPAID CARD
An identification card with monetary value (credit) affixed to the card generally for use in off-line systems; also referred to as Cash Card, Stored Value Card.

PRIMARY STRIPE
The main magnetic stripe on an identification card, usually designated for transfer of information and/or value in on-line systems. This stripe usually adheres to ABA Track II & ISO specifications as to location and width.

PROPRIETARY
Requiring supplies, devices or equipment that must be purchased only and directly from the original vendor; usually non-industry standard.

PROXIMITY
Refers to a card (or card access system) which utilizes cards (which act as a transmitter) when placed near a contact point (e.g. wall) where a hidden receiver is located; proximity cards are NOT swiped or inserted into a visible card reader. Proximity card access systems usually utilize a "non-replaceable" data base, which does not allow "deleted" card numbers to be replaced with new card numbers.

PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride, a type of plastic used in the production of identification cards, characterized by its durable but brittle properties.

PVCA
Polyvinyl Chloride Acetate, a type of plastic used in the production of identification cards, characterized by its durable but brittle properties.

RESPONSE TIME
The time for information to be sent from one device to another and with an acknowledgement back to the original sending device.

SACK MEAL
An option within a Meal Plan which allows a cardholder to trade a meal in a board operation for a box meal (usually lunch); sometimes called a "Sack Lunch" option.

SECONDARY STRIPE
The auxiliary magnetic stripe on an identification card, usually designated for transfer of information and/or value in off-line systems; often referred to as the Cash Card Stripe, Prepaid Stripe, Stored Value Stripe, Vending Stripe, or Junk Stripe. This stripe usually does not adhere to ABA Track II & ISO specifications as to location and width.

SERIAL MEMORY CARD
An identification card which with an embedded integrated circuit (IC) chip, memory, but no logic (processing) capability; an IC card.

SINGLE FUNCTION CARD
An identification card which provides one type of access to a specific class of application (e.g. Security System: Door Access).

SINGLE FUNCTION READER
A card reader which validates access to a specific service, event or function, but usually can check only one activity; some readers utilize electronic memory to store transactions.

SMART CARD
An identification card which contains an integrated circuit (IC) chip, memory and a micro-processor; an IC card.

STORED VALUE CARD
An identification card with monetary value (credit) affixed to the card generally for use in off-line systems; also referred to as Prepaid Card, Cash Card.

STRAIGHT BOARD PLAN
A Meal Plan which includes a fixed number and designated meals per period (usually a week, but can be a day, term, semester or year).

TERMINAL
A generic term which is often used to describe an assortment of equipment (e.g. CRT Terminal, Card Reader, etc.).

TRACK I
The top portion of a magnetic stripe which has been designated as such by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) & the International Standards Organization (ISO); capacity of 79 alphanumeric characters; typically utilized for automatic airline ticketing transactions.

TRACK II
The center portion of a magnetic stripe which has been designated as such by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) & the International Standards Organization (ISO); capacity of 40 alphanumeric characters; typically utilized for financial transactions.

TRACK III
The bottom portion of a magnetic stripe which has been designated as such by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) & the International Standards Organization (ISO); capacity of 107 alphanumeric characters; typically utilized for financial transactions.

TRADITIONAL BOARD PLAN
A Meal Plan which includes a fixed number and designated meals per period (usually a week, but can be a day, term, semester or year).

UNATTENDED
Refers to equipment (card reader and/or card system) which does not require the presence of an employee to operate the card reader for the cardholder (e.g. Vending Machine, Door Access Reader); opposite of "attended".

UPC
Uniform Product Code, used in bar code configurations.

VALIDATION
Electronically pre-authorized for the specific "All-Campus Card" service.

VARIABLE BOARD PLAN
A Meal Plan which includes a fixed number of meals per period (usually a week, but can be a day, term, semester or year) but can be selected by the cardholder.

VOUCHER MEAL
An option within a Meal Plan which allows a cardholder to trade a meal in a board operation for a ticket or voucher, for cash credit at another food service operation on campus (sometimes operated by another food service department or company); sometimes called a "Voucher Meal" option or "Ticket Plan".

VERIFICATION
Electronically pre-authorized for the specific "All-Campus Card" service.

VERIFICATION READER
A card reader which validates access to a specific service, event or function. "Single" verification readers can check only one activity. "Multiple" verification readers have the ability to check more than one activity, often simultaneously. Both types of readers can often utilize electronic memory to store transactions.

VIDEO IMAGING
The capture, storage and reproduction of a visual image on paper, plastic or video screen (locally or remotely).

WAND
A hand held device used to read bar codes.