This resource includes our recommendations for hardware related to the Check-in Kiosk for standard check-ins and card swipe check-ins.
Topics:
Check-in Device:
Any laptop or device that has USB output will work with Handshake; it should not matter what brand or type you use. Many of our institutions use iPads, PCs, etc.
Note: while a check-in kiosk may be utilised on a tablet/iPad, name tag printing is only supported on a desktop/laptop, as specific software is required to be installed by Dymo.
For more information on name tag printing, refer to our Name Tag Printing Configuration Guide.
Card Reader:
Any USB card reader that has keyboard emulation will work with Handshake. The only required specs are that the device must:
-
Connect via USB
-
Use keyboard emulation
- Output plain text to the keyboard
- Contain the number you consider uniquely identifying a student and that number must be on the student's "card_id" field in their student sync
If your kiosk is using an iPad, you will need to also purchase:
-
Lightening to USB adapter
We recommend the MagTek 21073062 Dynamag Magnesafe Triple Track Magnetic Stripe Swipe Reader - only because most of our institutions use this reader and have success in setting it up!
Note: There is no software required for the card reader. For more information, refer to How to Enable Card Swipe Check In for Students.
Card Reader Types
There are two type of card readers that can be used:
- Magnetic stripe reader
- BarCode reader
If you decide to use a BarCode reader, it must have:
- Keyboard output
- Student ID or unique identifier to be contained in the outputted string
More information on BarCode readers can be found on the TALtech website.
Check out our Handshake User Community in order to see specific hardware recommendation from 500+ Career Services professionals!