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Combo cards are ‘hybrid’ cards that integrate multiple independent contact or contactless chips, combining up to two contact chips or three different RFID chips. Combi cards can also include a magnetic stripe and a barcode, offering a wide range of applications.
The primary applications of combi cards concern the identification and attendance tracking in companies, as well as access control in hotels, gyms, schools, and universities. Combo cards integrate multiple technologies within a single card, allowing for the management of various functions with one support, thereby simplifying processes and reducing operational costs.
In particular, they are ideal when it is necessary to perform different functions using a single card, such as:
The adoption of combo cards is also widespread in loyalty programmes where systems from different vendors coexist — loyalty initiatives where companies from various sectors collaborate under a single brand — ensuring interoperability, flexibility, and centralised management of services.
Choosing the ideal card depends on the specific interoperability requirements of your system. The best combo cards stand out for their ability to integrate various chips and technologies, offering a versatile solution for diverse corporate applications. They can include personal information for identification, data for accessing specific services or areas, loyalty programme details, and declining balances when used as an electronic purse.
The benefits lie in their interoperability and flexibility. In fact, with a single card, it is possible to access facilities that use different reading technologies, simplifying management and reducing the need to carry multiple cards.
At Partitalia, we have the following combo cards in our catalogue:
Our combo cards are available in various materials:
In our Lainate facility, we produce customisable combo cards for access control, customisable combo card for loyalty and membership programs, using various printing and customisation techniques, enhancing the card with company logos, graphic elements, and information to improve its effectiveness and appearance.
Chromatic printing — logos and graphics — is carried out using offset printing, silkscreen printing, digital printing, UV spot varnish and hot stamping.
Customisation, such as adding variable data like names, numbers, photos, or barcodes, is done through thermographic printing, laser printing, inkjet printing, and embossing.
Here are the main questions on combo cards and their interoperability.
Combo cards are hybrid cards equipped with independent chips, capable of combining up to two contact chips or three different RFID chips. A combo card’s usage varies depending on the type of chip and the specific integrated functionalities, which can include identification, building access, electronic wallet, and more. It can support both contact mode, where the card is inserted into the reader, and contactless mode, functioning by simply being brought near the RFID reader.
Combo cards can combine various technologies: RFID and contact chips, with the option to also include a magnetic stripe and a barcode.
Combo cards, compared to a single-function card, are characterised by interoperability. A single combo card, in fact, allows access to installations with different reading technologies, without the need to carry several cards.
Combo cards are widely used by hotels, companies, schools and universities, gyms and sports federations for identification and access control. Additionally, they are adopted in loyalty programs, where systems provided by different vendors are present.
In businesses, combo cards are used for access control, employee identification and attendance tracking, when several functions need to be performed with one card. In addition, they can be used as an electronic purse for vending machines and the canteen, and for access control of vehicles in the company car park.
Choosing the right combo card depends on the specific interoperability requirements. At Partitalia, we have different types of combo cards available, offering a versatile solution for different business applications. Furthermore, our combo cards are available in different materials, such as PVC, PETG, recycled PVC and degradable PVC.
