Loma Linda University Selects

 SmartCentric’s  SmartCity® Password Wallet

In conjunction with an axiUm software upgrade of Exan Academic’s Clinic Management Software, the School of Dentistry at Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, CA, has selected SmartCentric Technologies International, Ltd. (SmartCentric) to provide SmartCity® Password Wallet, a smart card application offering ease of use and optimum security for software logon/logoff. SmartCity Password Wallet is one of many modular smart card applications in SmartCentric’s SmartCity Multi-Application Suite for educational and corporate campuses and was selected based on its outstanding performance and price.

The SmartCity installation at Loma Linda is unique in that it is a hosted system, allowing the campus to benefit from the features and flexibility of SmartCity with little upfront investment. The system, hosted by SmartCentric, also allows Loma Linda to add applications as their needs change.

Each faculty member receives their own smart card, which holds their name and password. The card is inserted in the student laptop’s built-in or external smart card reader as faculty prepare to review and approve coursework. A four digit PIN is entered for an additional level of security. A normal exit from the application or removal of the smart card from the reader automatically logs off the faculty member. With approximately 12 students per clinic group and as many as 50 passworded clinical approvals per day per faculty member, eliminating the necessity of entering username and password at each laptop is a welcome timesaver. More importantly, a significant level of security is maintained.

Kieran Timmins, SmartCentric’s CEO, states, “This represents a milestone in campus card rollouts. By offering a hosted model we have reduced the large up front cost for universities. This eliminates the purchase of hardware and the expanded personnel base to maintain the system.”

Chris Rizzetto, SmartCentric’s Director of Sales for North America, adds, “Our modular approach has enabled Loma Linda to implement a smart card technology for a very reasonable entry level cost. Now that the system is in place, expanding it by adding another module such as an ePurse for bookstore or vending purchases is simply a matter of plug and play. No recarding needs to occur. This approach offers minimum interruption and added ease of use. It’s revolutionary in the world of campus card technology.”

Loma Linda’s School of Dentistry Associate Dean for Clinic Administration, Dr. Paul Richardson, commented, “SmartCentric is a terrific partner. Password Wallet was installed and operational in time for the new quarter and it’s running very well. We’re especially impressed with the level of support we’ve received from the SmartCentric team. They worked well with Exan and did an outstanding job of getting us up and running quickly. This type of vendor cooperation when you’re in a time crunch is refreshing and much appreciated.”