Whether you are updating your lists semi-annually or annually, proper list management is essential for streamlining ID printing and maintaining accurate data information.

In this article, Badge Clients will be able to understand the difference between student and staff data, differentiate between RFID and Non-RFID ID cards, manage columns/headers in lists, and manage new and existing lists.

Best Practices

Before managing lists, review the essential functionalities an ID card should have access to. This ensures a proper understanding of required permissions and features.

1. Identify ID Card Features

2. Choose between RFID and Non-RFID Cards

3. Update Columns/Headers for Badge and any connected systems

4. Annually Create a New List

Managing Student and Staff Lists

When managing lists for students and staff, it is important to understand the layout features and authorizations of an ID card. 

A student ID card will require more layout features for identifying purposes such as id, campus, grade, name, and picture. Whereas a staff ID card will require only id, campus, name and picture. It is important to create multiple lists for every group to ensure lists are maintainable and easier to navigate when printing IDs.

Choosing between RFID and Non-RFID ID Cards

The choice choosing RFID ID Cards and Non-RFID ID Cards is dependent on the client's needs. 

For instance, a student ID card most likely will require an authorized RFID card to be able to scan when they want to eat school lunch, ride the school bus, and checkout a book from a library. The staff ID cards would only need access to specific rooms rather than getting lunch and riding a school bus. In this specific case, 

Adding and Removing Columns/Headers in Lists

We highly recommend clients speak with a Badge project manager before making any updates in any lists.

It is not recommended to manually remove columns from a CSV file if connected via SFTP.

Updating columns/headers is a very powerful tool whether that is via SFTP or directly in Badge. When you update columns/headers, ensure any connected third-party system also follows the change. 

For instance, before removing the grade column from a third-party system's exported CSV file, confirm if Badge requires the column. When you remove the column from the CSV file, ensure Badge also removes the column. It is important for lists to mirror Badge to ensure list records and values are recognized. 

Annually Creating a New List

Before the new year begins, updating lists by removing old data is essential to streamlining ID printing. 

When 12th graders graduate, their data is no longer necessary and only fills up space in the lists.

The best way to remove any potential issues is to create an updated list without the previous 12th graders. In addition, storing previous lists is important for historical references for a certain time period. By updating lists outside Badge and creating a new list, every school year will be simplified and start with a clean slate.