ID Scanner for Property Management Systems

As a hotelier you always strive to expedite the check-in process to provide a smooth and pleasant first experience for your guests. In order to help you with this task, I’m introducing an ID Scanner for your MSI NiteVision PM System.

This isn’t anything new, but I wanted to share some of the features and benefits of this hardware in detail. Whether this is something you weren’t aware of, or you couldn’t decide if you really needed it, I hope this will help add to your understanding of its value.

How does the ID Scanner expedite the check-in process?

• Scanning a driver’s license or business card from the Main Menu of MSI NiteVision will perform a guest search.
• Scanning a driver’s license/business card in the Guest Worksheet will automatically populate the guest’s name, address, city, state and zip code into a worksheet.
• Additionally, a color image of the scanned driver’s license is displayed in the Guest Image field of the worksheet.

Bonus benefit:

• Elimination of filing, archiving and long term storage of paper records.

Please watch the video below that shows how it works.

For those of you who already have this ID scanner, here are some FAQ:

Q: The image quality is poor and I can see lines on every scan.

A: This is normally caused by a non-calibrated scanner, please re-calibrate your scanner. With time, the scanner colors detection tends to change to incorrect values. This phenomenon affects the text detection accuracy as well as the resulted image quality. To reset the scanner to the proper colors, the scanner needs to be calibrated from time to time.

Q: How do I calibrate the scanner?

A: To calibrate the ScanShell 800 scanner, insert the calibration sheet into the scanner arrows first and black lines face down. From Main Screen of MSI NiteVision, click Action tab on top and select Calibrate ID Scanner. Hold the paper in the scanner until the device grabs the paper. Hit OK to the prompt on the screen.

Q: What does the calibration sheet look like?

A: Calibration sheets come with the scanner in the box. They include Black and White squares to determine the levels of the scanner's white and black balance. If you don’t have it, you can download and print it from

here.

Q: The new driver’s licenses are not recognized.

A: This means the driver’s license is too new that the current SDK doesn’t recognize it yet. Card Scanning Solutions releases two new SDK updates per year. Make sure you have the most current SDK file by calling our support team.

Q: Does the ID Scanner come with warranty?

A: Yes, it comes with a 1 year warranty.

Q: Can I use ScanShell 800NR for MSI NiteVision? And why there is such a difference in their prices?

A: ScanShell 800NR is only for image capturing purpose. ScanShell 800R, on other hand, includes a special OCR license that allows MSI NiteVision to read the information on the license. Therefore, ScanShell 800 is more expensive.

How to properly maintain ID Scanners:

1. Place the scanner on a horizontal flat, non-slippery surface; you may be required to fasten it in place to avoid sliding.
2. To ensure proper ventilation, allow a minimum of 4 inches of free space around each side of the scanner.
3. Make sure no vibrations or shocks occur.
4. Make sure the area is free of dust.
5. Avoid any contact with water, do not use in a damp environment.
6. Be sure that the USB cable is strongly connected and secured to the scanner.

Fingerprint Scanners for Property Management Systems

You’re probably familiar with PCI- DSS (Payment Card Industry- Data Security Standard) by now and its strict requirements to all members, merchantsa, and service providers that store, process, or transmit cardholder data.

The PCI-DSS requirements apply to all system components within the payment application environment which is defined as any network device, host, or application included in, or connected to, a network segment where cardholder data is stored, processed, or transmitted.

Important

PCI Compliance is obtained by the merchant, and is an assessment of your actual server (or hosting) environment. Obtaining “PCI Compliance” is the responsibility of the merchant and your hosting provider, working together, using PCI Compliant server architecture with proper hardware and software configurations and access control procedures.

MSI NiteVision 2009 and beyond is validated according to PA-DSS. (See www.pcisecuritystandards.org)

In order to implement MSI NiteVision in PCI-Compliant manner, one must follow all PCI requirements. One of the important requirements is the following:

The PCI Standard requires the following password complexity for compliance (often referred to as using “strong passwords”):

1.       Passwords must be at least 7 characters

2.       Passwords must include both numeric and alphabetic characters

3.       Passwords must be changed at least every 90 days

4.       New passwords cannot be the same as the last 4 passwords  

Plus: Sessions idle for more than 15 minutes should require re-entry of username and password to reactivate the session.

As you can imagine, it can be pretty frustrating to type in the complex password multiple times during busy times. Here is where our fingerprint scanner comes into play. Instead of typing your password, or re-typing if you misspelled it, you simply put your fingertip on the scanner and you are logged in. It’s that simple.

I know many of you already use this scanner. So, here are some helpful tips for you.

1.   Depending on the amount of use, the reader window may need to be cleaned from time to time. It will pick up dirt and salts from fingers.

Recommended cleaning:

Apply the sticky side of a piece of adhesive cellophane tape on the window and peel it away. If necessary, gently wipe the window with a cloth (not paper) dampened with a mild ammonia-based glass cleaner to remove any milky haze.

2.   Never do the following:

·         Clean the reader window with paper

·         Pour glass cleaner directly on the reader window

·         Use alcohol-based cleaners

·         Submerge the reader in liquid

3.   Dry fingers sometimes cause the reader to fail. Using hand lotion or rubbing your finger on your forehead before placing it on the reader sometimes helps. If this does not help, try registering your fingerprint again.

4.   Scratches, pokes or other physical damage to the window coating can compromise the system’s ability to recognize fingerprints. Such damage cannot be repaired, and you will need to replace the unit.

If you would like to order a fingerprint scanner, or have any questions, please give me a call!

Shinee Davaakhuu

Account Manager

Multi- Systems, Inc. (MSI)

Phone: 701-456-5743

Fax: 701.456.5789

E-mail: shinee.davaakhuu@remcosoftware.com