Magnetic Card Reader won’t cost a Wedge

The new ACR31 from Access Keyboards with ‘ActiveWedge’ is a cost-effective way to add a magnetic card reader (MSR) to a standard workstation. Measuring just 100mm x 34mm x 28mm this compact unit connects between a standard keyboard and a PS/2 keyboard port via a Y pig-tail cable to provide a keyboard wedge connection.

The ACR31 will read any card encoded to the ISO 7811 standard (tracks 1 & 2). It reads bi-directionally and operates reliably over a wide range of swipe speeds. A beeper and a bi-coloured LED status indicator provide user feedback. Other track configurations and non-ISO encoding options are available to order.

The ‘ActiveWedge’ decode software, developed by Access Keyboards allows operational parameters, such as header and terminator characters and an OPOS compliant option to be user-configurable. Set-ups may be cloned to other readers. Alternatively, units can be pre-configured by Access Keyboards to customers’ specifications.

Access Keyboards can also supply a serial (RS232) version where a keyboard wedge connection is inappropriate.