When you’re looking for potential technologies to create better security systems and products, you may discover that you can use smart cards and proximity cards. While both can perform similar functions, these two card types have many differences. Here’s a deeper look at what separates them from each other.
Storage Information
The biggest difference between these cards is the type of information you can store in the cards. Proximity cards can store basic identification numbers, making it easy and quick to identify the card and link that information back to a central system. A smart card can hold much more information, such as additional authentication and an assortment of personal data, such as credit card information.
Different Purposes
You should understand that smart cards and proximity cards are useful for different things. While smart cards can do everything proximity cards can, they can accomplish a lot more and serve more complex purposes. Proximity cards are most useful for identification alone. You can see this when you know how proximity cards work. As stated, they only hold identification numbers that authorized personnel use to enter specific areas that people without them can’t.
Access Control Systems
While both proximity and smart cards can function in access control systems, most systems use proximity. That’s because access control systems just need identification to limit or allow access, and smart cards would provide unnecessary information for the system. This shows why smart cards aren’t always the best choice, even though they can do more.
Common Uses
One of the best ways to understand the differences between smart and proximity cards is to look at common examples. We use smart cards as credit cards and for healthcare, identification, and complex security systems. Meanwhile, proximity cards are mostly for access control systems.
Hopefully, understanding the differences between these cards will help you pick the right one for your own purposes. These cards can be extremely helpful for numerous projects or products and can improve businesses and people’s lives at the same time.