SydPay - Micropayments at the University of Sydney - Matt Easdown, University of Sydney and Paige Didier, Blackboard

Technology infiltrates many aspects of campus life - and making these interactions easier and more beneficial to students is another way that Blackboard is working to improve the campus experience. Hear from Matt and Paige today who will share how SydPay simplifies the student campus micro payment card and it's potential to revolutionise even further.

1. SydPay : Micropayments at The University of Sydney Presented by Matt Easdown, Deputy CFO, USYD Paige Didier, Blackboard Transact

2. SydPay @ USYD

3. What is SydPay ? SydPay is a cashless tap-and-go payments system for use across all University of Sydney campuses to pay for small value items, such as print , copy and laundry services Roll out SydPay was rolled out Semester 1, 2016 across all main campus Libraries and Student computing spaces as well as QMB and Abercrombie Student accommodation Replacing legacy systems SydPay replaces four existing card print/copying payment systems and coin operated laundry machines Tap and go To pay for print and laundry services , students and guests tap their card on a print device or laundry reader to complete the transaction SydPay print is underpinned by Follow Me technology – print jobs are sent to university wide print queues and released at any SydPay printer.

4. Getting creative with SydPay USYD Update: a student multimedia group created an information video covering the main functions of SydPay from a student’s perspective SydPay : The Low down https://www.facebook.com/usydupdate/videos/1113145715397884/

5. Our journey Legacy micropayments facilities no longer matched the University’s needs… By the end of 2013, the University’s integrated student ID facility with ANZ VISA was decommissioned. This was a leading edge micropayments solution, however due to poor uptake by students and control flaws, it was no longer viable. Suddenly the University’s legacy bespoke micropayments solution “ Extro ” became the default enterprise micropayments solution. As “ Extro ” was USYD developed, it relied upon internal expertise that had gradually diminished over time and had limited scalability as a micropayments platform. It was not a viable long term solution.

6. What were the problems?

7. What were the problems? User Experience… To print across the University’s Library network, users had to negotiate four legacy print payment platforms and a complex web of associated accounts, cards, rules and limitations depending on location or print function requested Cash Collection… The cost of supporting, collecting and reconciling small value had grown over time. In extreme cases, these costs exceeded the revenue collected. The physical collection of cash from University Libraries and student computing environments was not only cost prohibitive but increased the University’s risk exposure to theft and fraud .

8. How did we explore options? Expressions of Interest ( EOI) The University went to market with an internationally distributed EOI, calling for a micropayments solution that was closed loop, secure, mature and scalable. Micropayments solution HAD to integrate with current card technology and enable a user friendly platform for high volume, low value transactions across University campuses and student accommodation. Vendors Cross section of potential vendors invited to complete a RFP, with the shortlisted solutions including major banks, local card / identity management and international providers, with Blackboard Transact selected as the preferred solution.

9. SydPay: So how does it work?

10. Topping up SydPay Students can top up their SydPay accounts in one of four ways : Online: accessed via the web MyUni: accessed via MyUni student portal (includes on screen SydPay balance) USYD app: accessed via the university app Kiosks: four currently deployed on main campus, three to be activated at satellite campuses for Semester 2 As the solution is ‘cashless’, cash load transactions are not enabled

11. So what? What’s unique about this project? Interdependencies (aka ‘roadblocks’) Card issuance: Reconfiguration and reissue of all staff & staff and student cards as proximity cards ( MiFare Classic). Required creation of a governance model for student and staff cards to determine how the cards would be configured and managed for the multiple uses of campus. Funding: Not high on the list of strategic priorities, with a tight capital budget, the project had to be ‘self funded’ Print as a service / “follow me” print: In parallel to providing a micropayments solution for students, the University has embarked upon a University wide managed print service with print provider CSG affected over 2000+ MFDs. Follow me print technology was required for both staff and students Data integration: SydPay required multiple sources of data from enterprise systems to enable consolidated student and staff records in one database. (identity management)

12. What did we learn? Identity and Card Management SydPay solution was implemented in the absence of unified card and identity management systems. Establishing a source of truth and migrating multiple sources of data into a central repository provided a significant challenge. Trasact will be used to fill this gap. Technology and Business Partnership SydPay implementation exposed the importance of a strong collaborative relationship between IT technology and business teams, both in project phase and into BAU operation. Finance became the default project owner, with ICT initially a reluctant participant. Complexity associated with varied print environments Rolling SydPay out across varied student and staff spaces has exposed a wide array of varied requirements and expectations for respective areas.

13. Bringing SydPay to life Timing SydPay campaign launch was timed to coincide with O-week 2016 and included the use of “town criers” - old technology to promote new technology! Competition Competition aimed at encouraging students to top up their SydPay account

14. Spreading the word: posters Campaign poster Laundry poster Printing poster

15. What’s next for SydPay?

16. Blackboard Transact provides a common backbone to enable other transaction activity Student printing Faculty payments Student laundry Campus retail & vending Catering management Student events Student attendance tracking Student ID management Security & access  

17. The Transact Solution Dining & Meal Plans Student Accommodation Sport & Fitness Clubs Health Center Library Checkout Printing & Photocopy Vending Purchases Event Ticketing & Concessions Non Campus Merchants Laundry Facilities Attendance Tracking Mobile Apps & Top UP Identity System of Record

18. Blackboard Transact clients: North America Approximately 1300 Installed Campuses

19. Blackboard Transact clients: Australia

20. What’s next for Blackboard Transact?

21. Blackboard Transact: Australian resources