ESD VS EASY CARD

[ThePoetSuede]

STRAIGHT FORWARD COMMENTS ONLY. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE EITHER SYSTEM PLAIN AND SIMPLE:

- ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THE SYSTEM.
- WHAT PROBLEMS HAVE YOU ENCOUNTERED.
- WHAT KIND OF PRICE SHOULD I LOOK AT IF I AM BUYING NEW EQUIPMENT, 25 WASHERS, 25 DRYERS AND I WANT EITHER SYSTEM TO BE IN PLACE OPENING DAY>?

[JamesD]

Sorry to be slightly off question, but have you considered CCI??

I am an extremely satisfied user.

[petefritz]

The "new" ESD mag system will also use thier chip card, in fact the starter package includes a nuimber of chip cards, I guess in case of a net work break down, the single unit still works. Also, ESD now has the touch screen VTM. ESD will allow debit and credit card transactions, Easy Card will not.
There are some Easy Card users ot there and like that system, but it was mostly becuase the card price. With the ESD mag system, the competition heats up.

[Duane]

Search the forum for CCI or Easy Card. This had been discussed in detail several times.

I don't know if this is what you consider "straight forward"..... but here goes.

A quick overview.

Mag stripe systems = CCI and Easy Card
Smart Card systems = ESD and Debt Key (I think that is their name)

A mag stripe system is usually cheaper in the long run due to the cost of the cards. Mag stripe cards are about 30-40% the cost of smart cards.

A mag stripe system needs to be fully networked whereas smart cards do not need to be networked.

A mag stripe system is easier to program since everything is networked. You can do all your price changes at the main system whereas a smart card system you need to use a master (or programming) card as swipe in each machine.

A mag stripe system is more secure. If a card is counterfeited the thief can only get the value of the card (of which you already have the money for). A smart card's value can be changed to anything and since all the information is kept on the card there is no way to track its usage.


Some things to consider:

If you are attended or not. The equipment you are purchasing will act differently and may or may not work in an unattended mat. Example.... I have the CCI system and all Maytag equipment. When you swipe the card on the washers it will give credit and wait for the machine to be started (door closed, cycle selected). Where as some equipment like Speed Queen the customer needs to have the door closed before it will accept a start. With a coin drop the quarter will drop through until the door is closed. With the card system the money will be taken off their card, but if the door is open the washer won't start and since there is not a quarter return, no credit. Depending on how you have it set up the customer may need to swipe the card again for the same wash (paid twice). Attendant will need to assist in this matter.

Deposit for cards. Some smart cards are so expensive owners need to charge a deposit for the cards. To keep customers happy you may need an attendant to refund the deposit as the customer leaves. I do not charge for the card - FREE.

Credits... Last week my soda machine shutdown (on / off switch just melted). I was unaware of the problem until a received 3 e-mails from people saying that they swiped the card and was charged for the soda, but nothing came out of the machine. Since they give me their card number I was able to sit at home and give them credit. Once I got to the store and hot wired the machine I went through my video and saw when the soda machine turned off and then watch how many people tried to get a soda. I found their cards (6 people) and credited their cards. Today one customer told me of the problem and I told them that I had already credited their card. My point is that you can't do that with a smart card system.

Here is the biggie.... DO NOT BUY A CARD SYSTEM ON COST ALONE! And yes I was yelling. If a cheap smart card system can be put in for $20,000 and a CCI card system costs say $35,000. There is only a $15,000 difference. But when you go and start buying cards each year it will only take a few years before the cheap system starts to cost more than the more expensive system....

Of course demographics will vary from store to store and one card system may work better than other card systems or some locations a card system will never work. Do you home work, and then study real hard for the test.

Duane.

www.LMARIES.com (http://www.LMARIES.com)

[Duane]

One last thing...

You do want the card system to be in place when you open. A good portion of the card system cost is offset by not having to purchase all the coin drops, vault locks and keys and change machines.