Frequently Asked Questions
SPECIAL ALERT!
YES - The MDS/Uniprint system can support MS VISTA! In order to handle the features and print drivers for the new Vista Operating Systems - you must up-grade to our latest version! For more information please contact our office to review your immediate options!
1. Printing in our library / labs is out of control; how can I control usage of our printers?
This is not unusual. Many of our clients have had the same challenge and in fact it is well known that the number one way of reducing wasted printing is to implement a Printer Management Program. MDS can provide a full range of tools from evaluating your printing to managing printing. Most colleges today are implementing a "Pay for Print" solution that will enable you to provide an allotment of pages to each user then once the allotment is reached the users will be charged for each page printed. This can easily be incorporated to your existing Card Payment System or one of the MDS card solutions.
2. We are a college and want to go On-Line for a new card system. Does this mean we need to have special wiring installed?
This really depends on which On-Line Solution you have implemented. The MDS Campus Connect On-Line system utilizes standard TCP/IP Communications; therefore you would not need to have any "special" wiring installed! Our entire system can just plug directly into your campus network and can even operate utilizing DHCP!
3. We just bought a new copier. Can I use the same Interface Cable?
All of the MDS products have very specific Interface Cables for each different copier. It is highly recommended to ensure proper control and charging that you do invest in a new Copier Interface Cable whenever you change copier models or brands! Please feel free to contact any of our representatives to obtain the correct information.
4. If we implement a new card system from MDS, do I need to replace all my current user cards?
Chances are the answer is NO! Our Campus Connect Solutions can operate using any standard track two encoded mag stripe card, along with having the option of reading a Proximity Card and MiFare smart card; therefore enabling our clients to transistion to Campus Connect without having to touch each of their current user cards! This is a tremendous cost and labor savings!
5. What is the difference between Off-line and On-Line Card Systems?
Off-Line typically means that the reader devices can operate individually off a Host Computer with software controlling their functions. In most cases with an Off-Line Card System the monetary values/information are stored directly on the users card and the card readers typically only store summary data in their local memory.
Whereas an On-Line Solution such as - CAMPUS CONNECT - is storing transactional data in a Software Database centrally located on your Campus. Each user card then typically has a user identifier that is stored in the database and all usages are held against that particular user card. The Campus Connect solution enables you to have all points of card acceptance communicate via your Campus network (Standard TCP/IP encrypted communications) to the host software keeping a transactional record of every usage. Campus Connect even provides a WEB based reporting and card add value component, thus eliminating the need for users to have this information provided by the Campus Administration! Be carefull; some On-Line solutions require "custom" wiring meaning that they do not operate utilizing standard TCP/IP communications and you would need to have a separate "network" wired to each acceptance point. An example of this might be RS 485 type communications using twisted pairs of cable to each point.
6. Does MDS provide Custom Printed Cards for any system?
MDS can provide cards for any system! From standard blank graphic quality cards to Proximity Cards, to custom printed cards. MDS can also provide cards made from a unique mixture of plastics making them much more durable than the stadard CR80, three track magnetic stripe pvc cards, thus enabling you to have a card that has much more memory and is less likely to bend or break due to becoming brittle! MDS has the capability to provide any of your ID Card, ID Badge, Campus gift Card Requirements!
7. My Library has a difficulty with users overusing or abusing time spent on our PC's. Is there a way of controlling the amount of time people use a PC?
You are not alone! Many of today's libraries are experiencing the same challenge of having to find methods of providing "Equal Access" to all their patrons! MDS has joined with one of the top world wide providers to provide our clients with a first class, Web Based PC Reservation solution. Our reservation solution will enable your staff members to monitor usage from any desktop. Our user interfaces are quite intuitive, enabling users to understand the simple instructions to use or reserve a PC for the date and time they wish to use one.
Features such as automatic shut down of your PC's at night, based on your libraries custom calendar, Automatic Patron Timed usages and Web Based scheduling are just a few of the reasons that the MDS-SIGN-UP Reservation System is setting a new standard for the library automation!
8. We have a card unit on our copier. Can I use the same cards for my printers?
All of the MDS current and past solutions have the capability to integrate into any of the Print Management Solutions MDS provides and possibly to the one that you may be utilizing if your solution has not been provided by MDS - (Call to verify). This will enable you to continue to utilize your copier card reader and allow your current user cards to also operate one of our MDS Print Management Card readers! Thus saving your facility time and additional cost by not having to replace your copier control devices!