Datacard Group, the world leader in secure ID and card personalization solutions, is pleased to announce recent successful deployments of the Datacard® MX6000™ Card Personalization Systems for use in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) passport card program.
As of June 1, 2009, the WHTI initiative requires all travelers to present a passport or other approved document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the United States by land and sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region, and Bermuda. The WHTI Passport Card can speed the process for US citizens while helping to ensure border security and integrity.
It was this June 1 launch date that drove the need to deploy card production capabilities across the country.
“The Department of State knew that the June 1 go-live date, in addition to the peak summer travel season, was going to cause demand for the new Passport Card to spike,” said Russell St. John, senior vice president of marketing for Datacard Group. “From the DOS’s perspective, it was absolutely critical that they have the capacity in place to respond to the demand.”
Starting on April 26 th , teams of Datacard Group technicians worked their way across the country, starting in Los Angeles and finishing in Miami, installing two systems a week in nine separate locations.
As of May 29, 2009, nine MX6000™ Card Personalization Systems have been deployed and are in production at passport agency sites in Los Angeles, Seattle, Detroit, Houston, Minneapolis, Boston, Miami, New York and Chicago.
“All of the systems were up and running and the DOS operators were all trained prior to the June 1 st deadline,” continued St. John. “It was a focused effort that required us to work closely with our integration partners and the DOS to coordinate delivery, installation, testing and training.”
Installation team members each received certificates of recognition and personalized letters of thanks from the Department of States Bureau of Consular Affairs, the agency in charge of the Passport Card Program.
Since July of 2008 more than 1,000,000 WHTI cards have been issued, proving the popularity and broad acceptance of the program. These regional issuance centers increase the program’s capacity and also give travelers the flexibility to pay an expediting fee and have their passport cards issued immediately.
Datacard Group is building on a 40-year heritage of innovation and customer success. Our portfolio of solutions, backed by expert service and support, enable card and secure ID programs for financial, government and other markets worldwide. With an unmatched commitment to customer satisfaction, Datacard remains the industry’s leading brand of secure ID and card personalization solutions. www.datacard.com