This request is for an additional customization feature for the ID cards.
Having the option to change the default barcode that is exported onto IDs would allow us to use the custom "meal plan #" instead of the "student ID #" to generate barcode for the IDs.
There is a new custom field type on profiles called "Identifier." This field can be placed on ID cards and be used to generate custom barcodes on the new HTML ID Card layouts. If you are using an existing custom field to track an external ID, contact support and we can convert it for you.
This could be good for us as it will give students a consistent number and would eliminate one more step in the registration process. It would also ensure that every student comes to get an ID. No ID card=no meals.
@Joel - The barcode on the Populi ID card isn't actually the Student ID number. Instead, it's the Populi ID number which is an identifier that is unique across all people in Populi's database. You can export "Populi ID" in any people export from Populi for importing into other systems.
@Joel - Have you tried importing the Populi ID number into your meal plan system or just the Student ID number?
@Adam, thanks for clarifying, I had forgotten that the barcode is the Populi ID.
I am checking with the staff right now, but I believe we tried exporting the Populi ID numbers and importing them into the meal card system, but I was told that it requires a different format, such as 10 digits or something else that was not flexible enough to allow the Populi ID numbers to work. Apparently Not every company out there is as flexible as Populi apparently! @Tim Spitzke (operations) or @Sam Capshaw (IT) would know more about the specific requirements of the meal plan software at CCBC Murrieta. We will post an update here as soon as we confirm whether or not both the Populi ID and Student ID are ruled out options.
@Joel - Thanks for looking into that. Let us know what format the meal system requires and we'll give a think. Worst case there's always the lo-fi solution of sticking a meal plan barcode on the back of ID cards until a more technologically sophisticated solution presents itself :D
We also have need of a customizable barcode for use with our Library consortium. Would it be possible to add a second barcode option that is tied to Student ID (not Populi ID)?
We would love to have this match our assigned student ID's as students often forget their ID cards and they are required for picking up mail and for the library and the cafeteria.
The Populi ID is the number that appears in the URL for each student record. But it doesn't really serve us. It would be very helpful to customize what the barcode actually refers to.
We would love to use the barcodes with our library as well. Unfortunately, we are part of a larger library consortium that assigns us user account numbers. We cannot use the Populi unique identifier for this. So we cannot use Populi IDs for our library cards.
This needs to happen, the digital ID cards are useless without the correct barcode. Our university started issuing student ID numbers long before we had Populi. Switching to the Populi ID just isn't feasible for our school, and I know a simple addition like the python-barcode module could resolve this.
We are just setting up our Populi account. We were thinking of using the Populi number as the student id number going forward. Good? Bad? We are a small seminary - is there a specific bar code reader required? I tried my reader on my phone but it is not reading my number. Thanks!
We also are part of a larger library consortium (like Jon Coffee mentioned above), and the barcode format for that is not compatible with the Populi ID. Thus, it appears we will not be able to use Populi to generate our ID cards unless the barcode can be customizable.