Member Article

Digital ID partners with Sparka UK to bring antimicrobial door opening card holders to market

Limit the spread of germs and illness in the workplace with a simple solution to a 2020 problem.

The UK’s largest provider of ID cards and access control solutions, Digital ID, has teamed up with Sparka UK as the exclusive distributor of a new anti-microbial ID card holder that doubles up as a tool to open doors without physical contact. During the current pandemic, this innovative product could significantly reduce the amount of surfaces a person has to touch on their journey into or throughout their place of work, thus lowering the risk of spreading germs and potential illness.

As many businesses may tentatively emerge from home working after the second lockdown, this simple and affordable solution could significantly reduce the chance of virus transmission by transferal from inanimate surfaces.

It’s ideal for office workers, students and staff at educational institutes, healthcare providers and anyone working from door to door that needs to carry ID with them.

The KROK antimicrobial door opening card holder is an ID card holder with a difference that can be attached to both lanyards and retractable belt reels. With a hook shaped design, it can be used to open any type of door without touching the handle with hands, meaning there’s less chance of transferring infectious virus droplets or bacteria. It also has a push button tool for keypads and doorbells.

It not only reduces contact with multiple touchpoints - door handles, keypads and other access points - by hand, it has an antimicrobial coating that has been tested against most common bacteria. With a sleek ergonomic design, it can be used with all existing standard ID cards.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) explains that coronavirus can “spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person.

“People with the virus in their noses and throats may leave infected droplets on objects and surfaces (called fomites) when they sneeze, cough on, or touch surfaces, such as tables, doorknobs and handrails. Other people may become infected by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, noses or mouths before cleaning their hands. This is why it is essential to thoroughly clean hands regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub product, and to clean surfaces regularly.”

Jonathan Fell of Digital ID said:

“Very often the most effective ideas are the simple ones and this innovation from Sparka UK is no different. Sparka UK has used its knowledge of architectural ironmongery and hardware to pivot its product range and create a multi-tasking design that is both hugely effective and very affordable for companies looking to protect staff amid the coronavirus pandemic. We think the product has huge potential in a range of industries to help companies to reduce the spread of infectious diseases among their employees.

“What this pandemic has demonstrated is how easily illnesses can be transmitted via the surfaces we touch on a daily basis. As well as practising good hand hygiene, reducing the number of touchpoints we connect with can be another way of preventing the spread of common infections.”

Kelvin Hughes, Co-founder and Director of Sparka UK said:“ We chose to partner exclusively with Digital ID in the ID Card Sector due to their wealth of industry experience, their professional customer service and the added value they bring to the end user with their badge reels, lanyards and card printers. Combined, we have had particularly great success in distributing the KROK holder to the education sector in colleges and universities.

In order for Colleges and Universities to promote and practice a safe working environment, by using the KROK with other products from Digital ID, it has helped to significantly reduce the chances of acquiring infections and the spread of germs. This in turn means that students feel reassured and protected and also allows the colleges and universities to earn revenue by retaining and attracting students in order to help make their entity profitable.

Digital ID has exclusivity in the UK to sell and distribute the product throughout the ID and access control marketplace.

Digital ID is the UK’s largest ID card company offering a complete service. For 25 years the organisation has helping businesses and their employees stay secure. It provides a range of products and services including plastic ID card printing, ID card printers and lanyards tailored to meet the requirements of its customers.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Digital ID .