idXtra at HESCA25 – Shaping the Future of Attendance Monitoring

Beyond Tick-Boxes: A Strategic Approach to Attendance Monitoring

On 27th March 2025, Tony Walsh, Director of idXtra Ltd, was honoured to speak at HESCA25, the annual conference and exhibition of the Higher Education Smart Campus Association (HESCA), held at Downing College, University of Cambridge.

With this year’s theme, “Smart Technology for a Smarter Campus,” experts and education leaders gathered to discuss cutting-edge solutions shaping the future of Higher and Further Education Institutions (HEIs/FEIs).

Tony Walsh’s Keynote: Rethinking Attendance Monitoring

In his session, “Beyond Tick-Boxes: Developing Student Attendance Monitoring for the Future,” Tony challenged traditional attendance monitoring approaches and highlighted a strategic shift—moving from compliance-driven systems to proactive student engagement solutions.

Key topics covered:

  • The evolution of attendance tracking – from ancient Egyptian records to AI-powered biometric systems.
  • The UK’s legal requirements for attendance monitoring across schools, colleges, and universities.
  • Emerging challenges, including administrative burdens, student disengagement, and data privacy concerns.
  • The role of next-generation technology, such as mobile-based tracking, AI-driven insights, and smart ID integration, in enhancing student retention.

Introducing EventMarker: A Smarter Solution for HEIs/FEIs

idXtra showcased EventMarker, a seamless, real-time attendance tracking system designed for modern institutions. Integrated with MIS platforms (SIMS, Bromcom, Arbor, UNIT-e, ProSolution, CMIS, CELCAT, Scientia, etc.), EventMarker helps institutions:

  • Automate attendance tracking across lessons, enrichment sessions, and CPD activities.
  • Reduce administrative workload for educators.
  • Enhance student accountability and support at-risk learners.
  • Retain funding by improving attendance and engagement.

Case Study: EventMarker in Action

One of the key highlights of HESCA25 was demonstrating EventMarker’s real-world impact. A case study from Basingstoke College of Technology, which uses UNIT-e MIS, showcased how the system transformed attendance monitoring:

  • Significant reduction in administrative workload for lecturers.
  • 5% improvement in student retention over two years.
  • Up to 10 minutes saved per session for lecturers, allowing them to focus more on teaching.

By adopting EventMarker, institutions can move beyond traditional attendance tracking and embrace a smarter, data-driven approach that benefits both students and staff.

VisiTapp: Smart Visitor Management for a Secure Campus

In addition to attendance monitoring, institutions must prioritise campus security and visitor management. At HESCA25, idXtra also highlighted VisiTapp, an advanced visitor management system designed specifically for HEIs and FEIs.

  • Enhancing Campus Security – VisiTapp ensures secure and efficient visitor check-ins, reducing risks associated with unauthorised access.
  • Seamless Integration – The system integrates with access control, MIS platforms, and identity verification solutions to streamline visitor processes.
  • Automated Compliance – Universities and colleges can digitally track all visitors, contractors, and staff while maintaining GDPR compliance.
  • Effortless Check-Ins – Whether via QR codes, pre-registered invitations, or self-service kiosks, VisiTapp simplifies visitor onboarding.

With growing concerns around campus security, safeguarding and regulatory compliance, VisiTapp provides institutions with a smarter way to manage visitors, creating a safer and more efficient learning environment.

The Future of Attendance Monitoring

The discussion at HESCA25 reinforced that attendance monitoring is more than just compliance—it’s a critical tool for driving student success. With the integration of AI, predictive analytics, and smart campus technologies, the future of attendance tracking will continue to evolve towards efficiency, accuracy, and engagement-driven solutions.

Missed the session? Get in touch with idXtra to learn more about our smart attendance solutions.

Contact us: www.idXtra.com

idXtra Showcases Cutting-Edge Campus Solutions at Bett 2025

We are delighted to share the highlights from idXtra’s participation at Bett 2025, the largest education technology exhibition in Europe, held at ExCeL London from 22–24 January 2025. This year’s event provided an invaluable opportunity for us to engage with education professionals, discuss the latest trends, and unveil our newest innovations designed to enhance security, efficiency, and convenience for schools, colleges, and universities.

Showcasing the Future of Education Technology

At idXtra, we are dedicated to providing integrated solutions that streamline campus management while ensuring a seamless user experience for students, staff, and visitors. As a BESA-approved supplier and ISO 9001-accredited company, our reputation for reliability, quality, and technical excellence continues to grow.

Bett 2025 was the perfect platform for us to introduce two groundbreaking solutions that redefine campus operations:

1. EventPOS Mobile Cashless Catering System

Our Mobile Cashless Catering System is more than just a way to manage school meals; it’s a comprehensive solution that streamlines operations across your institution, enhanced by our latest EventPOS Tablets – The Blackview Active 8 Pro and Microsoft Surface Pro 9.

  • Speed Up Service & Reduce Queuing: With advanced technologies like face, fingerprint, and smart ID card recognition, our system drastically cuts down till waiting times. Students can swiftly make payments, giving them more time to enjoy their meals and return to their activities. The elimination of cash handling further accelerates the process, ensuring smoother, quicker transactions.
  • Mobility Across Campus: Our system’s lightweight and portable design, complemented by padded leather, hand and shoulder straps, allows it to be used anywhere on school grounds. Whether in the canteen, classroom, or playground, the system’s all-weather, waterproof, dustproof, and drop-proof construction ensures durability and reliability in any environment.
  • Cost-Efficient Flexibility: While primarily cashless, our system retains the flexibility to accept cash, debit, or credit card payments where necessary, catering to all your school’s needs without additional hardware costs. Its robust design and efficient operation make it a cost-effective solution that minimizes downtime and maximizes productivity.
  • Real-Time Updates & Parental Control: Parents can top up accounts online, with the convenience of accepting debit or credit card payments. Transactions update in real-time, allowing parents to manage meal payments, receive low-balance alerts, and monitor meal history, all from their devices. This enhances transparency and gives parents greater control over their child’s diet.
  • Discreet Free School Meals (FSM) Delivery: The system delivers FSM entitlements discreetly, allowing eligible students to receive their meals without stigma. This ensures all students are treated equally, promoting a more inclusive environment.
  • Allergy Alert for Food Safety: The system automatically provides allergy alerts during transactions, helping to ensure food safety and reduce risks for students with dietary restrictions.
  • Advanced Reporting & Seamless Integration: Gain instant access to comprehensive reports that help you track trends, manage resources, and make informed decisions. Our system integrates smoothly with most MIS databases, reducing administrative workload and enhancing operational efficiency.
  • Offline Data Synchronisation: Our system ensures seamless operation even in areas with limited or no Wi-Fi connectivity. Offline data synchronisation allows transactions to be recorded and processed once the connection is restored, ensuring no loss of data and continuous service.

2. Smart Kiosk – A Multifunctional Campus Hub

We were also proud to introduce our latest Smart Kiosk, a dynamic solution that goes beyond being just a digital signage or payment machine. This powerful, all-in-one kiosk enhances efficiency across school campuses by integrating visitor management, cashless catering, and serving as an interactive school information panel. It can display event announcements, timetables, staff directories, and emergency alerts in real time. Additionally, the Smart Kiosk functions as an IT helpdesk where students and staff can log technical issues, request IT support, or access troubleshooting guides. This multifunctional solution is designed to be an essential part of modern school campuses, improving communication, operational efficiency, and user convenience in a single integrated system.

Engaging with Education Professionals

Our stand at Bett 2025 was a hub of activity, with live demonstrations, hands-on experiences, and insightful discussions. We were thrilled to engage with school administrators, IT managers, and catering teams, sharing how our solutions can transform campus operations. The positive feedback we received reaffirmed our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.

Looking Ahead

As we continue to innovate, our focus remains on delivering fully integrated, cost-effective, and future-proof solutions tailored for educational institutions. We are excited about the journey ahead and look forward to collaborating with schools and colleges to create smarter, safer, and more efficient learning environments.

For more information about our solutions or to book a demo, contact us at info@idxtra.com or visit www.idxtra.com.

See you at The Security Event at NEC Birmingham on 8 – 10 April 2025!

idXtra Shines at the Schools & Academies Show 2024 with Innovative ID & Payment Solutions

We are thrilled to share the highlights from our recent participation in the Schools & Academies Show at the NEC, Birmingham on 20th November 2024. It was a momentous occasion for idXtra Ltd, marking our debut at this prestigious event.

As a trusted partner for educational institutions, we are committed to providing innovative ID and payment solutions that streamline operations and enhance safeguarding. Our status as a BESA-approved supplier speaks volumes about our unwavering dedication to quality and exceptional service.

At this year’s show, we were excited to showcase our latest offerings:

EventPOS: Our cutting-edge Cashless Catering System, is now available for portable tablets and laptops, ensuring faster service and reduced queueing times to keep your customers happy and engaged.

VisiTapp: Our Visitor Management Solution, featured on a variety of touchscreen kiosks and terminals to show its flexibility and capabilities. The system improves security whilst enhancing the visitor experience.

Exclusive Evolis 241 Card Printer Promotion: We introduced our exclusive offer for dual-sided printing for no additional cost. Make a healthy saving whilst improving the quality and performance of your ID card printers.

Participating in this exhibition allowed us to connect with many like-minded professionals in the education sector.  We were delighted to engage in fruitful conversations and networking opportunities. We look forward to continuing our conversations with many new contacts and serving the education community with innovation and collaboration. For more information about our solutions and promotions, please contact us at info@idXtra.com.

The Security Event 2024!

This month we headed to the NEC in Birmingham to exhibit once again at The Security Event.

It was great to make some new connections there!

We were excited to present our new wooden kiosks for visitor sign-in, as part of our fun new ‘Space Invaders’ campaign…

…Who are YOUR Space Invaders? Your visitors of course!

Our visitor management system, VisiTapp, allows visitors to safely and securely sign in to the premises without the support of a member of staff. The user-friendly interface allows them to register quickly, thus diminishing queues and crowds in the front of house and increasing its efficiency.

To find out more about our visitor management system, VisiTapp, please click here!

Queue busting at BETT!

Kicking off 2024 with our favourite event of the year, it was of course the BETT show at ExCeL London! It was great to see so many idXtra friends and customers there, and to make some new connections.

We were thrilled to present our new campaigns for this year which centre around our cashless catering and visitor management systems.

Two different systems, but one shared goal: queue busting!

Our ultra-efficient systems with user-friendly interfaces allow visitors and students to be processed at super speed. But as if that wasn’t enough, we’ve also just launched a ‘queue buster’ tablet!

A portable tablet with an in-built card reader and software, staff members can simply take it down the queue and process more payments, thus easing the thoroughfare. In busy breaktimes, this is a life saver!

Long queues in the canteen and lots of hangry students? Fear not, idXtra can save the day!

How many cheese puns is too many?

To support this new campaign, any visitor who came to our stand and admitted to being ‘cheesed off’ with their cashless system, was given a complimentary mini cheese and entered into our prize draw!

Thank you to all of our customers, old and new, who came to see us at the show – we look forward to the next one!

idXtra in Glasgow!

Another month, another exhibition… this time we were in one of the world’s friendliest cities, and the largest one in Scotland – it was of course Glasgow!

We were there to exhibit at The Learning Places Scotland Exhibition and Conference at the SEC.

We enjoyed making new connections and catching up with existing ones!

Until next time, Scotland!

We take on the Education Estates Exhibition in Manchester!

This month we headed up north to a city famous for its railways and records… Manchester! This was where the Education Estates Exhibition 2023 was held.

We had a blast meeting idXtra customers old and new, and of course we set some time aside to check out what this buzzing city has to offer!

Thanks to everyone who came and visited us at our stand. We look forward to our next event!

Tony x2

idXtra at The Security Event 2023!

We had a blast at The Security Event 2023 in Birmingham! It was our first time exhibiting at this event, and we hope to return next year. We made lots of new connections and gave out more idXtra Business Bears!

The two Tony’s!

We had lots of interest in our Visitor Management System, VisiTapp, as it enhances safeguarding and security in any establishment. We can integrate our software with most existing Access Control systems, which makes upgrading to VisiTapp even easier.

To find out more about VisiTapp or to book a remote demo, please click here!

Working hard or hardly working? 🙂

Keep an eye on our blog and Twitter for news of our next event appearances! We hope to see you soon.

idXtra at BETT 2023!

Spring has finally sprung, and this month we were thrilled to exhibit at the BETT Show again, for the first time since the pandemic!

It was great to see so many idXtra customers at our stand, and to meet some new ones too! Thanks to everyone who came and said hello.

Sales Director, Tony Walsh (right) and
Regional Sales Manager, Tony Brock (left)

Our new eye-popping graphics made a feature on our stand, highlighting our five main systems and emphasizing how they can all work together harmoniously.

We’ve got some special show offers on, which apply to VisiTapp, EventPOS and card printer bundles. These are here for a limited time only, so act fast if you’re after a great deal!

A few lucky visitors received a special idXtra ‘Business Bear’ – how cute!

Our next appearance will be at The Security Event 2023, from the 25th – 27th April at the NEC in Birmingham. We hope to see many of you there!

Farewell to 2022!

That’s another year almost over… it’s gone by in a flash hasn’t it?! As we prepare for the festive season and the new year, we reflect on the year we’ve had.

2022 has been a good one… idXtra’s highlights from this year include doing big installations at large college campuses, celebrating our 20th anniversary and taking idXtra global when we represented at Bett Show Brazil!

We are thankful to all of our customers, suppliers, friends and colleagues at idXtra who have made this year one to remember.

This year we have decided instead of sending Christmas cards, to make a donation to Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity.

With the current economic crisis, along with the freezing temperatures, we thought it was more important than ever to support those who are less fortunate than ourselves, and who find themselves homeless this festive season.

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with poor housing or homelessness through advice, support and legal services.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all… see you in 2023!

The idXtra Team