Datacard to Entrust: The Evolution of a World Leading Card Printer
As consumers, we depend on digital technologies and security to do more than ever, whether it’s making purchases, crossing borders, accessing government services or logging into corporate networks. We are proud that some of the world’s largest governments, organizations and enterprises trust us to keep citizens, commerce and information moving safely. Making Entrust the foundation of our brand reflects how our technology and innovation are central to securing this ever-evolving world.” Todd Wilkinson, CEO of Entrust.
The Evolution of the Datacard Brand:
The evolution of Datacard to Entrust Datacard to Entrust has been an interesting journey. The company was originally founded as Datacard Corporation in 1969 by Willis Drake in Minnesota where the current Entrust HQ is still located.
Throughout the 1970’s, the concept of a “cashless society” began to take hold with the emergence of the first magnetic stripe cards and smart cards with the expansion of the credit card. In 1970, Datacard developed the first high-speed credit card system which began the issuance of mass financial card issuance. Datacard was also leading the charge for physical card security becoming mainstream, with tamper-resistant coating, embossing, and microprints being developed through Datacard card issuance technology throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s. By 1981, there was significant growth in plastic cards for Driver’s License and ID Cards.
In 1991, Datacard developed the first modular card system with the Datacard 9000™ Series System, which allowed flexibility for mass card issuance for ID Cards, government IDs and financial cards.
In 1993, Datacard developed the ImageCard™ Printer which brought colour to desktop card printing technology.
In 1994, the internet went mainstream, and the world suddenly become more connected yet open to security breaches. Data and data security became paramount, and the first SSL Certificates were launched in 1998. Datacard developed new laser technology for Passports in 2000 which modernised global travel documents and incorporated biometric technology into passports.
The first biggest milestone for Datacard was when it acquired Entrust, a digital solution company and in 2014 and rebranded to Entrust Datacard. Smart Phones by that time had changed the world and data privacy and security became the forefront of all identity issuance solutions with the need for data encryption to be incorporated into all Entrust Datacard Card Issuance Printers.
Then the pandemic hit at the end of 2019. This moved Entrust Datacard to further emphasise its enduring leadership and innovation in identities, payments, and digital infrastructure. On September 14th, 2020, Entrust Datacard announced a new brand identity and company name – Entrust.
“The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how critical digital transformation is in our daily lives,” said Todd Wilkinson, CEO of Entrust at the time.
Click on the Image above to watch the “More than a Name ” Video
“Our new brand and corporate identity is a reflection of this evolution and the changing markets we serve. We understand how the connected world is evolving, and we work relentlessly to anticipate trends as we determine how change will affect our customers.” Said Todd Wilkinson, CEO of Entrust
The move from Entrust Datacard to Entrust also highlighted Entrusts position as a leader in developing the core technologies needed to keep the world moving safely – something that was always paramount from the early days of Datacard.
“The world is changing – it’s more connected, more mobile and more empowered than ever,” said Wilkinson when speaking about the brand name change from Entrust Datacard to Entrust at CARTES Secure Connexions 2014 in Paris, France (a leading international event focused on secure payment, identification, and mobility solutions).
Click on the Image above to watch the “Keeping the World Moving” video
The Evolution of the Datacard Card Printer:
Datacard SP Series Card Printer: Datacard’s first family of Desktop Card Printers was the SP Series Card Printer. The Datacard SP25 and Datacard SP35 had an average lifespan of 8-10 years and utilised the Windows XP operating system and it was originally a one-sided Card Printer with basic dashboard functions. The Datacard SP Series released the Datacard SP55 into a duplex (2-sided Card Printer) with magnetic encoding and re-writable features and came with a Laminator Module.
Datacard SD Series Card Printer: The Datacard SD Series models became more contemporary and incorporated an LCD for troubleshooting faults, low ribbon alerts, card cleaning alerts, and ventilation holes to support higher volumes of use. The card trays expanded to 200 cards, Windows 10 operating systems. Although the Datacard SD Series are now legacy models, the Entrust SD260 was re-released under the Entrust brand in 2023, as a cost-effective, user-friendly option, already an established and reliable model with consumers.
Datacard CD Series Card Printer: The Datacard CD Series had a new exterior black look; it had an increase in internal work efficiency for high-volume card issuance. Various operating systems allowed more secure data transfer. The introduction of the multi-hopper had 6 card slots and could accommodate 600 cards.
Entrust Sigma Series: The Sigma Series of Card Printers was the model that brought together the advantages of each model. Today it is the world’s most advanced ID Card Issuance Solution. A small footprint with a superior printer dashboard, unmatched security, and mobile connectivity, it allows the user to print through the cloud anytime and anywhere. IIDaaS (Instant ID AS A Service Ribbon) has revolutionized the Desktop Issuance market, enabling the Entrust Sigma ID Card Printers to access benefits of the cloud as simply as changing an ID Card Printer Ribbon.
Entrust today offers an unmatched breadth of solutions, especially in Desktop Identity issuance. Customers still recognise and trust the Datacard brand in the Legacy ID Card printers through the badging. And this trust has endured through to Entrust brand today. Customers trust that the products and solutions delivered through Entrust are safe and secure with unparalleled data protection and encryption, every step of the way. They also know they are user-friendly and adaptable.
The evolution of the Entrust brand has been decades in the making.
CSID (CardServ ID Pty Ltd) is the exclusive distributor of Entrust Desktop Identity Card Solutions for Australia, Fiji and PNG. Contact Us today so we can help you find the right Entrust ID Card Printer Solution.
Entrust & Datacard FAQs:
Is Entrust the same as Datacard?
Yes. Datacard Corporation was founded in 1969 and became Entrust Datacard after acquiring Entrust in 2013. Entrust Datacard then shortened its name and rebranded as Entrust. The decision reflected the company’s growing interest in digital security. Entrust is best known as a provider of physical credentials but has steadily expanded its portfolio through acquisitions and internal research and development in the past few years into data protection software, digital certificate, and signing solutions, in addition to credentialing services.
Is Entrust still the trusted name in Desktop ID Card Issuance?
Absolutely! And the Entrust brand is stronger and better than ever in Desktop Instant ID Card Issuance! Entrust leads the market in cloud-issuance, out-of-the-box experience, dashboard accessibility and service and support. Contact us today to find out more. Although Entrust has dropped the name “Datacard” from the company name, the Entrust line of Instant ID Issuance products is stronger than ever, such as the world-leading Sigma Series (direct-to-card) and Artista (Retransfer) Series.
I still have a Datacard branded ID Card Printer, do you still supply ribbons and consumables for my old Datacard Card Printer?
Yes. Entrust still supplies consumables for Legacy Entrust (Datacard) ID Card Printers such as ribbons and cleaning cards. Please Contact us to order supplies for all your Datacard Card Printers. CSID (CardServ ID Pty Ltd) also supplies ribbons, cleaning kits, and consumables for other major leading ID Card Printer brands such as HID (Fargo), Matica, Zebra, Evolis, HiTi, Magicard and Zebra.
Do you still offer service and support for legacy Datacard Card Printers?
This depends. If you own a Datacard Card Printer, chances are your warranty would have expired on the part and service of the card machine. Therefore, the parts and service for a legacy Datacard machine along with the running cost will be higher than a new Entrust Card Printer. It’s worth contacting us so we can provide you with a quote for a new Entrust Card Printer, which comes with a full warranty and long-term peace of mind.
Alternatively, email us atsupport@csid.com.au to book an annual service maintenance of your ID Card Printer to keep it running at its optimum.
Are Entrust (formerly Datacard) card printers still manufactured in the USA?
Yes! All Desktop Issuance ID Card Printers made by Entrust, from the entry-level Entrust EM Series to the high-end Entrust Artista Retransfer Series are ALL made in the USA.
Is CSID (CardServ ID Pty Ltd) the exclusive supplier of the Entrust Desktop ID Card Printer brand in Australia?
Yes! CSID (CardServ ID Pty Ltd) is the exclusive distributor for the Entrust brand in Australia, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea. We sell to a variety of end-users and resellers across these regions. Although other companies sell the Entrust (formerly Datacard) brand of ID card Printer, ALL Card Printers and supplies come through CSID (CardServ ID Pty Ltd) first. Therefore, it is more cost-effective to enquire directly to CSID (CardServ ID Pty Ltd) for ALL your ID Card Printer needs. Further, all our Service Technicians are certified with Entrust. Servicing your Entrust ID Card Printer through other companies will void your warranty on the Entrust Card Printer.
Email us at support@csid.com.au book an annual service maintenance of your ID Card Printer to keep it running at its optimum.
