You have completed the negotiations within the company and have decided to move forward with an photo ID card system purchase. After researching all of the printers, software and consumables needed, you have come to the place where the system will be installed and the task of implementation and operation will take place. The printer answers current badge printing needs as well as future expansion ideas. The software is capable of your design and printing requirements. You have chosen a camera that delivers the quality picture needed. All the consumables, like printer ribbons and cards, are ready to go. The question is who is going to implement and operate the photo id card system processes.

This question is debated in many organizations. There are many who feel that the human resource area should be the correct place to issue it badges. They are already responsible for new hire processes and it makes sense to provide an id card in the new hire process. Other reasons human resource departments are selected for this job is that those in the personnel area tend to stay in their jobs longer than other departments. This provides continuity. The human resources area can also follow through with proper procedures to replace a badge when that occurs.

Some people believe that the ID card issuance should come from the security department. They are responsible for security which is the basic reason for an id card. A positive reason for security to handle this function is when the parking deck or buildings require access control. Another reason for security to issue badges is to allow them to control visitors and employees with lost badges from their security location which is often nearby control areas. The negative to this may be that if the volume of employees coming in at the same time is large, the security officers may be tied down allowing for a potential security breach.

Organizational size may play a critical factor in who operates the system. If you are in a small business, there may not be any large department to handle the process. The important thing is to assign the project to a person or group of people who will operate and maintain the process appropriately. The person needs to believe in the importance of the ID card system and can sell its importance to those around them. The ID card system operator choice is just as important as the choice to obtain and ID card system in the first place.