HID Global®, Austin, a provider of secure identity solutions, announced completion of an access control pilot at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., that has validated the use of smartphones as a convenient and compelling new way to open doors with a “tap” or using the company’s patented “Twist and Go” gesture technology for opening doors and gates from a distance.

The pilot was implemented using the company’s HID Mobile AccessÒ solution that supports Bluetooth Smart and includes Mobile IDs, Mobile apps, mobile-enabled iCLASS SEÒ readers, and its HID Secure Identity Services portal for provisioning and revoking Mobile IDs to a variety of Apple and Android mobile devices.

Vanderbilt University has earned many distinctions including The Princeton Review’s top ranking for colleges with the happiest students, and the HID Mobile Access pilot is considered to be ground-breaking and will further enhance the campus experience. There were approximately 15 participants in the pilot that used their smartphones to open doors at one or more of six possible campus entry points, including one parking garage.  Entry points were equipped with mobile-enabled iCLASS SE readers that were configured to work with existing iCLASSâ smart cards as well as HID Global’s Mobile IDs.

“A critical element of HID Mobile Access is its ease of issuing, managing and revoking Mobile IDs to smartphones, and the pilot results reflect our achievement in creating a user-friendly experience for customers via our HID Secure Identity Services portal, said Anthony Ball, senior vice president, Identity Access Management with HID Global.

Vanderbilt University uses CBORD’s CS Access™ solution with integrated VertX® access control panels from HID Global. CS Access is a fully integrated component of the CS Gold® campus card solution in use on campus. No changes were required to the CBORD system to facilitate the use of Mobile IDs on smartphones for access. Participants used their own smartphones in the pilot to include Apple iPhone 4S, 5, 5C and 5S devices and Android-based Samsung Galaxy S4 and Mini 3S handsets.

“Vanderbilt University is a long-time CBORD client with a very innovative campus card and integrated security program,” said Max Steinhardt, CBORD president. “Bluetooth Smart is a powerful new technology making the student experience more convenient and secure. We’re really pleased to partner with Vanderbilt and HID Global in this exciting pilot program to further demonstrate the value of mobile credentials in the university environment.”

In a survey of Vanderbilt pilot participants, respondents cited convenience as the top attribute of HID Mobile Access, because their smartphones are always with them and they are less likely to lose them as compared to their access card.  Respondents further pointed out the benefit of using their phones as a backup in cases where their cards were lost or stolen. 

Pilot participants indicated they loved using HID Global’s “Twist and Go” gesture technology to open the garage parking gate as they drove up to the reader, including the convenience of not even having to roll down their window as they approached. In addition, they validated the efficiency and simplicity of installing and registering the HID Mobile App, citing that it required five minutes or less to complete the process, and it was a self-explanatory and intuitive experience. Respondents also stated that HID Mobile Access is an innovative alternative to access cards.

For new buildings, Vanderbilt University will install iCLASS SE readers so they can leverage the new capabilities of mobile access in the future, while still retaining interoperability with legacy card technologies.