Looking Beyond the Cost: Opportunities with Mobile Credential at The University of Alabama

Looking Beyond the Cost: Opportunities with Mobile Credential at The University of Alabama

By: Courtney Petrizzi, Action Card Services Specialist, The University of Alabama; and
        Jeanine Brooks, Business Consultant, Transact + CBORD

So many questions revolve around going mobile. How is it going to work on my campus? What is the best way to start a mobile card project? And the big one: How can we address potential revenue changes such as loss of replacement card revenue and ongoing licensing fees?

These are common questions we are often asked and there are a variety of options that have been identified and used by successful mobile credential projects.  We are taking this opportunity to share our experiences plus how we have learned others have addressed this very same question.

Optimizing Expenses with Mobile Credentials

Transitioning to mobile credentials presents opportunities to streamline operations and reduce costs associated with traditional physical cards. Here are a few impactful changes many campuses have seen:

• Reduce Production Costs: Savings on card stock, ribbons, and distribution costs mean a more efficient operation.
• Labor and Distribution Efficiencies: By moving away from physical cards, many campuses have reduced overtime, temporary staffing needs, and distribution expenses including mailing costs.
• Streamlined Equipment Needs: Fewer physical cards mean less reliance on card production equipment and maintenance.
• Eliminate Re-Carding Events: No more reissuing cards due to branding or technology updates—mobile credentials are easily updatable.
• Enhanced Security: Reduced financial loss due to misuse of lost or stolen cards, as mobile credentials are easier to deactivate and secure.
• Virtual Card Offices: Satellite or remote card services become easier to manage and more accessible to students and staff.

You don’t have to implement every option; instead, use this transition as an opportunity to evaluate your current processes and identify where the benefits of mobile credential best fit your office environment and campus community.

Enhancing Current Revenue Streams

In addition to cost savings, mobile credentials allow campuses to reevaluate existing revenue streams and potentially create new ones:

• Evaluate Fee Structures: Review and update commission and service fees, considering both internal services and third-party agreements.
• Tuition-Based Fee Assessments: While a specific mobile credential fee cannot be assessed due to contractual limitations, a technology or student fee can support the mobile initiative.
• Increased Annual Department Funding: Request an increase to annual funding if the mobile credential program aligns with broader campus objectives.
• Increase in Badging Needs: Many departments, such as Education or Nursing, require specialized ID badges, creating a potential revenue opportunity.

 Creating New Revenue Opportunities

Mobile credentials free up administrative time, creating opportunities for new initiatives. Consider these revenue-generating options:

• Rental Reader Services: Offer mobile reader rentals for student groups and departments.
• Commemorative Physical Cards: Introduce a limited-edition physical card, available upon graduation or for special events.
• Passport Photo Services: Provide photo services as an added convenience for students and staff.

The options available for keeping/increasing revenue effected by going mobile are only limited by your creativity!

Collaborate with peer schools at NACCU that have successfully implemented mobile credential and leverage vendor expertise to get inspired by solutions other institutions have implemented.

We would love for you to add onto this list by sharing your experiences with this specific question. NACCU members are the best at sharing knowledge to help each other. Your experiences could be a valuable addition for the entire NACCU community.