Badge Reader Integration for Walk-up Experience

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated July 31, 2025
  • 2 minutes to read
    • Summarize
    Summarized using AI
    This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete.

    Summary of Badge Reader Integration for Walk-up Experience

    The Badge Reader Integration application enhances the Walk-up Experience by allowing users at on-site queue locations to check in simply by scanning their employee badge, eliminating the need to manually enter credentials such as names or emails. This integration improves user satisfaction by making the check-in process faster and more convenient.

    Show full answer Show less

    This integration is a pre-built, domain-separated base system application that requires activation of the Badge Reader Integration plugin (com.snc.badgereader). It is designed to work within the existing security perimeter and is not an authentication mechanism.

    Key Features

    • Badge Scanning for Check-in: Users scan their employee badges to join walk-up queues, receiving on-screen confirmation and audio alerts upon successful check-in.
    • Hardware and Software Components: The system uses badge reader hardware installed on computers at walk-up locations, replacing previous tablets. The integration client supports macOS and Linux platforms.
    • REST API Support: Provides a reusable REST API for badge reader integration clients, with Walk-up Experience depending on this application.
    • Administrative Modules: Includes modules for managing badge readers, event handlers (scripts triggered on badge scans), user badges (mapping badges to users), configuration sources, and viewing scan logs.
    • Roles and Permissions: Administration requires the Badge Admin role (snbadge.badgeadmin).
    • Security Considerations: The integration facilitates check-in convenience but does not replace authentication or integrate with physical access control systems.

    Practical Setup and Use

    • Activate the Badge Reader Integration plugin to enable badge scanning capabilities.
    • Install and configure badge reader hardware at on-site queue locations.
    • Use the configuration modules to define badge readers, associate users with badge numbers and facility codes, and set up event handlers for badge scans.
    • Monitor and troubleshoot badge scan events using the Badge Scan Logs module.

    Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

    • Streamlines the check-in process at on-site Walk-up Experience locations, reducing wait times and user effort.
    • Enhances overall user satisfaction by providing fast and reliable badge-based check-in.
    • Offers easy administration and flexible configuration without additional licensing costs for the plugin.
    • Supports secure, facility-specific deployment while maintaining separation from authentication systems.

    Improve Walk-up Experience user satisfaction by using the Badge Reader Integration application at your on-site walk-up queue locations. Walk-up Experience users can scan an employee badge to check in to a queue, rather than entering credentials.

    Badge Reader Integration for Walk-up Experience on-site queue locations

    Badge Reader Integration is a pre-built, domain-separated, base-system application. The application enables your Walk-up Experience users to simply scan an employee badge to join an on-site walk-up queue. Scanning a badge eliminates the need for users to look up a name or email to join a queue. Administrators can easily configure the badge scanning integration for use with Walk-up Experience.

    By providing an enhanced, easier, and faster Walk-up Experience check-in process, the use of on-site walk-up location queues can increase and overall user satisfaction can improve. Users receive an on-screen confirmation and an audio alert after a successful check-in to a walk-up queue.

    The Badge scanning integration requires activation of the Badge Reader Integration plugin (com.snc.badge_reader). The plugin enables applications, such as Walk-up Experience, to integrate with badge reader hardware. Badge Reader Integration administration requires the Badge Admin role (sn_badge.badge_admin).

    Note:
    Badge Reader Integration is not an authentication mechanism.

    Walk-up Experience Badge Reader Integration components

    The badge reader hardware and integration client are physically located at a walk-up queue location. The Badge Reader Integration application provides a generic, reusable REST API used by the badge integration clients. Walk-up Experience uses the Badge Reader Integration application as a soft dependency.

    Walk-up Experience implementers install the badge reader hardware on a new computer at each on-site walk-up queue location. The hardware replaces any existing tablets used for on-site check-in.

    The following are important associated components.

    Table 1. Associated components in badge reader
    Component Description
    Badge number Employee badge number.
    Facility code Unique facility or site code encoded into each card that identifies the organization.
    Human Interface Device (HID) Protocol for interfacing with user interface devices via USB.
    Physical Access Control Services (PACS) Method used to protect the security of a physical environment by setting authorization and authentication rules.
    Badge reader client Client for the badge reader. Acceptable platforms include macOS and Linux.
    Badge reader plugin The Badge Reader Integration plugin (com.snc.badge_reader) is at no additional cost.

    Badge Reader Integration modules

    Badge admins can access several application modules.

    Module Description
    Downloads Badge Reader Integration client for download to your system.
    Badge Readers Configuration module for defining and activating your badge reader devices.
    Badge Event Handlers

    Configuration module for defining what action to take when a badge is scanned by a badge reader device.

    The script entered is the code executed when a badge is scanned.

    These records are typically delivered as part of the application-specific badge reader integrations.
    User Badges

    Configuration module for associating users with user badges.

    Configuration requires associating a sys_user with a unique badge number and facility code.
    Badge Scan Logs View-only module to monitor badge reader error events.
    User Badge Configuration

    Configuration module for defining the table from where the user ID and badge ID mapping information is retrieved.

    Badge Reader Integration security

    The Badge Reader Integration application is not an authentication mechanism. It provides a quicker, more convenient way for users to check into a walk-up queue. It is meant for use within the existing security perimeter at the facility. The application does not integrate with existing access control software at the facility.

    Badge Scanner Integration scan logs

    You can view the Badge Scanner Integration scan logs and fix the errors to connect to the badge reader. For more information, see View Badge Scanner Integration scan logs.