Brady People ID Partner Connection Blog

The Adventures of Mac the Brady People ID Monkey

Mac, the Brady People ID monkey is having a grand time traveling the world, providing friendship and support to Brady People ID dealers … the same values our Brady People ID employees provide every day.

Follow the adventures of Mac the Brady Monkey in this blog! If you’re a Brady People ID dealer, we want to hear from you. Pass along your photos and story about Mac’s adventures and the mischief he is causing in your office! Submit the information by email to your Brady People ID sales rep. If Mac the Brady Monkey never made it to your desk, call your sales rep today and we'll be sure to send one right out!

Our first story, as told by Patrick Barnhill of Specialist ID, Inc., shows that Brady People ID dealers have big hearts. Thank you, Patrick!

I was leaving the office at about 10:30 p.m. when I saw a small white animal move from the middle of the road off to the side by some dumpsters. I was hoping it would be an opossum or a big rat because I really didn't want to have to take any animals home! I parked and saw a small, scared puppy curled up beside some trash.

As I walked towards her I could tell she was scared. So I kept my distance, talked to her for a minute and then turned my back and walked off to see if she would follow. Sure enough, within a few steps, she was jumping on my leg and playing with my shoe laces.  

She was very skinny and looked like she hadn't eaten in quite a few days. She was coughing pretty badly with a serious case of kennel cough. (I learned later that she had pneumonia). We made a stop to get her some water and a little bit of food and she acted like she hadn't seen food in a very long time.

I didn't want to name her because they say if you name a dog, it's yours! But when my sister visited from New York City, she named the puppy Brooklyn, but you can call her Brook or just Lyn.

Now she is doing great; strong as an ox and plays a lot. She and Mac have become best friends as we didn't have any other toys in the office.  Every time the monkey makes its noises, she runs to find it and hunt it down. Then when she gets tired, the monkey becomes her pillow on the office floor.  We have found Brook a nice family and she will be the spoiled, only child.

Now that's what we call one strong attachment!

Wrap Up of the ASIS International 2011

Thank you for visiting us in Orlando! Last week, we had a blast meeting up with our Brady People ID dealers.

One outstanding dealer who visited us last week was Geraldo Nuñez, Principal at Identatronics of Mexico — the leading distributor in Mexico of the brands: Zebra, Evolis, Fargo, Magicard and HID. Geraldo was selected as one of the lucky winners of our Apple IPad2 Giveaway* promotion.

Brady People ID ran the iPad2 Giveaway promotion from August 11 to September 9th for any dealer placing a $5,000 or more order. The response was phenomenal, giving Brady a substantial boost in sales from both old and new dealer-accounts. The promotion was also an excellent way for Brady to say thank you to specific dealer sales representatives for a job well done! We value the partnership we have with our dealers.

The success of this promotion has afforded us the great opportunity to strategize with our Sales Managers on how to define new incentive programs. Be sure to read your emails so you don't miss out on future promotions and incentive programs!

(* Please note: Apple was not a participant in or sponsor of this promotion.)

Having a Great Time at the ASIS International 2011

It is always fun with BPID at the ASIS show in Orlando, FL!

This year, one of our featured products is the new One-Step TEMPbadge Self-Expiring Visitor Badge. Visitors to the Brady People ID booth are given a sample of the badge to wear. Then at the end of the day, members of our team roam the floor looking for people still wearing their TEMPbadge visitor badge. The first 2 who are spotted are presented with an Apple iPod Shuffle.

If you are at the show, come by Booth 4019 get your own visitor's badge. You can be like one of these lucky winners from the first 2 days of the show!

  

Monday's Winners:

Tuesday's Winners:

  

Brady People ID Launches “Brady Warehouse”

On July 20, 2011, Brady People ID launched BradyWarehouse.com, a feature that provides customers with a streamlined way to monitor all of their business with the company.

The user-friendly, “do-it-yourself” nature of the Brady Warehouse tool allows customers to easily:

http://www.bradywarehouse.com

Brady People ID employees are excited about the opportunities Brady Warehouse will create.

“It allows our dealers to be able answer their customers needs without hanging up the phone,” says Katelynd Buckley, Associate Channel Marketing Manager at Brady People ID.

"In the past, dealers would have to hang up the phone, contact us, find order statuses, and then get back in touch with their customers.  Now, [BradyWarehouse.com] is available 24/7, so information regarding product availability and orders is always available."

BradyWarehouse.com speaks to BPID’s commitment to customer service; the newly launched website is already making our customers’ experience with the company a more pleasant one.

To register, go to www.bradywarehouse.com today!

RFID News from Brady People ID

CBP opens RFID 'Ready Lane' at Otay Mesa border crossing

The United States Customs and Border Protection agency has opened the new "Ready Lane" at the Otay Mesa port of entry for individuals who have a travel document enabled with RFID technology.

The new lane is dedicated for vehicle traffic with occupants possessing an RFID-enabled travel document, such as the U.S. Passport Card, SENTRI card, the new Legal Permanent Resident "green card" and the new Border Crossing Card.

Read more »

CorDEX launches RFID based pipeline corrosion tool

CorDEX Instruments unveiled the CorDEX UT5000 intrinsically safe ultrasonic RFID handheld tester, designed for testing and detecting corrosion in pipeline networks.

The UT5000 uses RFID technology to locate and log up to 1,000 measurements, each linked to a specific location, date and time. The handheld also measures metal thickness for non-destructive testing on pipes and fixed equipment within hazardous locations and builds a predictive maintenance program to improve safety.

Read more » Read more »

ID Industry News from Brady People ID

Read About the Latest Developments in the ID Industry...

Congress investigating TSA biometric system failures

TSA officials did not show up to a U.S. congressional hearing for transportation worker credentialing. The hearing was looking into why it has taken the agency so long to get a viable biometric credentialing and security check procedure in place for airline flight crews, according to a Journal of Commerce article.

Click here to read the entire article.

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Hotels curb theft with support from Linen Tracking Technology

Hotels from Florida, Hawaii and New York have installed RFID technology in an effort to prevent towel theft, reports The USA Today.

Miami-based Linen Technology Tracking LLC provided the washable RFID technology to three hotels – in Honolulu, Miami and Manhattan – and the system to keep track of towels, robes and bed sheets. The Honolulu hotel has reduced theft of its pool towels from 4,000 a month to 750 since it introduced the technology last summer, according to Linen Technology.

Click here to read the entire article.

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Apple patents touchscreen as RFID reader

Apple has been awarded a patent for its method of adding RFID reading capabilities to the touchscreen of a device, according to AppleInsider.

The patent, “Touch Screen RFID Tag Reader,” details how the touch sensor panel of a device can be modified to incorporate RFID circuitry within touch sensor panel circuitry, thereby allowing the screen to double as an “RFID transponder,” reports AI. According to Apple, this method eliminates the need for a “space-consuming RFID antenna.”

Click here to read the entire article.

Brady People ID Tips on Building a Great Brand Experience

Yesterday, I attended a great webinar featuring Jim Joseph, the author of the Experience Effect and President and Partner of Lippe Taylor Brand Communications.

He has helped major brands create successful brand experiences that engage consumers and add value to their lives,  including Kellogg’s, Kraft, Cadillac, Tylenol, Clean & Clear, Aveeno, Durex, AFLAC, Ambien CR, and Wal-Mart.

Jim pointed out how Lady Gaga is an example of a masterful brand.

• Her Mission Statement - to inspire the underdog so they can realize their potential

• Products/Packaging

• Target Audience - young, underdogs who she has dubbed "little monsters."

• Media Strategy - owns social media (tweets before going on stage)

• Strategic Alliances - partners with other brands that represent her mission (MAC & Polaroid)

• Consistency - she mentions her fans in every interview and markets to "the underdog."

The first step to developing a masterful brand starts with understanding your customer. What are their wants and needs? What products and brands do they like? You need to develop an emotional benefit that sets you apart; this builds brand loyalty.

Next, map out a customer profile.

• Where do they work?

• What are their goals?

• What brands/products do they care about?

Touchpoints should include and be consistent across all channels...

• Social media

• Website/mobile apps

• Advertising

• Print

• PR

PR is a huge touchpoint since what people hear from others carries more weight than what you are telling them about your brand.

Here are five keys to a great brand experience:

1. Clearly define your brand

2. Target your customers - you can't be all things to all people

3. Distinctive positioning - who are you?

4. Consistent execution

5. Smart decision making

Remember, marketing is about making good decisions and execution!

Brady People ID News - ISC West & New Brady Warehouse Tool

Recently, Brady People ID sent a new edition of our quarterly newsletter, the Partner Connection. In case you haven't received it, I wanted to share some highlights.

• Join Brady People ID at ISC West in Las Vegas this week at Booth #24077- watch demos of Brady Warehouse and the new interactive catalog.

• New Brady People ID Catalog Available - check out how you can create an online version with your company's branding.

• Read about our new video channel - more new product videos coming soon

• Get an update on Brady People ID University statistics

• Recent blog postings & how to become a guest blogger

• Video tips

Click here to sign up for our newsletter.

I also wanted to give you a sneak preview of Brady Warehouse, our new web enabled customer interface. We aren't quite live yet but I wanted to let everyone know about this exciting tool!

• Product Availability

• Cross-sell Substitute Products

• Product Pricing

• Mobile Application

• Order Status

• Link To UPS Tracking

• Open Invoices

• On-line Chat

I'd also be interested reading your company news. You may find yourself featured in our next blog posting. Send news items to Deborah_Caamano@bradypeopleid.com.

Announcing the New Brady People ID Video Channel

As I've mentioned in previous blog posts, we've been working on launching the Brady People ID Video Channel. I just uploaded two of our new videos onto YouTube so they are fresh "off the press."

These will also be available on our website in "unbranded" versions so you are free to use them as well.

The first one is on Tub-O-Reels & Tub-O-Lanyards which offers employees standard badge reels & lanyards in a fun and convenient container. This way your employees have more options when choosing the accessory to hold their ID!

Next we have our video on Card Protectors and the Most Secure Man in the World. Have you ever been a victim of a phishing scam or had your electronic data stolen? Shielded badge holders protect the sensitive information that is stored on technology cards. CardProtectors are made right here in the U.S. and are FIPS 201 compliant. They prevent information skimming and are used by government, shipping and other high security locations.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel today and I'd also love to see some videos you have done.

• Download the Tub O-Reels & Tub-O-Lanyards Sell Sheet
  

• Download the CardProtectors Sell Sheet
  

Campus Card News from Brady People ID

Lately, campus cards with debit functionality are catching on at colleges and universities across the country, according an article in Nebraska’s Lexington Clipper-Herald, which calls the card “a must-have accessory.” About 2,000 U.S. campuses now issue such cards, which can be used to purchase books, items from vending machines and almost anything else with a price tag. However, the MavCard issued by the University of Nebraska at Omaha is not a true debit card because students there did not request that a banking relationship be added to the card, said a university spokesperson. Instead, money is placed in an account at the university’s MavCard Services Office. The card went off campus for the first time last fall. Ten stores now accept the card. Meanwhile, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, students, faculty and staff can link their card to a Wells Fargo Bank checking account to make purchases on and off campus. The card also can work as an ATM card.

Why a debit and not a credit card? Credit cards may help students build a credit history, but if students don't pay off the debt in a timely manner, their credit reputation can end up in shreds.

Debit cards help students control spending. When the amount deposited runs out, so does the card.

Click here to read the entire article.