HID 055328 DTC4500E Dual-Side Card Printer with Smart Card Encoder
Overview
The HID 055328 DTC4500E is a professional-grade dual-side card printer engineered for high-volume credential issuance in enterprise access control and identity management deployments. This base model combines same-side in/out printing architecture with integrated multi-technology smart card encoding, supporting HID Prox, iCLASS SE, MIFARE/DESFire, and Seos credentials on a single platform. The dual-side capability enables full-color front and back printing in a single pass, reducing production time while maintaining consistent image quality across credential types. Equipped with USB and Ethernet connectivity, the 055328 integrates seamlessly into networked issuance workflows and supports batch printing operations for large-scale deployments.
Key Features
- Dual-Side Same-Side In/Out Printing: Front and back color printing in a single pass with automatic card feed and output on the same side, minimizing footprint and handling complexity
- Integrated OMNIKEY 5127-USB Smart Card Encoder: Native support for HID Prox, iCLASS SE (contactless), MIFARE/DESFire, and Seos smart card technologies without external encoder modules
- Multi-Credential Support: Encode and print magnetic stripe, proximity, and smart card credentials simultaneously, supporting mixed-technology credential issuance workflows
- Dual Hopper Configuration with Locking Mechanisms: Secure input and output hoppers with key locks prevent unauthorized material access and credential tampering during operation and idle periods
- USB and Ethernet Connectivity: Flexible network integration supports both direct printer connection and networked issuance via standard Ethernet protocols for enterprise environments
- High-Volume Production Capacity: Professional-grade throughput suitable for enterprise access control credential refresh programs and large-scale identity issuance initiatives
- Base Model Configuration: Core printer and encoder platform without additional modules; expandable for future technology requirements
Integration and Compatibility
The 055328 operates independently as a standalone encoding and printing device and integrates with enterprise identity and access control management platforms via USB or Ethernet. The embedded OMNIKEY 5127-USB encoder eliminates the need for external encoding hardware, reducing cable management complexity and improving credential production efficiency. This model is not a drop-in replacement for OMNIKEY 5121 or 5125 encoders; verify encoder compatibility with existing identity management systems before deployment. Organizations standardized on earlier OMNIKEY models must validate software driver compatibility and encoding command protocols. The dual-hopper design with locking mechanisms supports segregated workflows—input hopper holds blank cards while the output hopper collects finished credentials, enabling unattended batch operations with physical security controls.
Ideal for Security Integrators and Enterprise Deployments
Security integrators deploying multi-tenant or multi-credential access control systems benefit from the HID 055328's unified encoding platform. IT managers requiring on-premise credential issuance can leverage the dual hopper architecture to manage material inventory and restrict access to blank and finished cards. Telecom and large-scale facilities integrators standardizing on HID credential technologies find the 055328's same-side printing and native smart card support streamline installation and reduce training overhead. The locking hopper feature addresses compliance requirements in regulated environments where credential material integrity must be documented and audited.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
During a multi-site access control deployment, we evaluated the HID 055328 specifically for its ability to consolidate credential encoding across three different technologies—proximity, smart card, and magnetic stripe—into a single production workflow. The embedded OMNIKEY 5127 encoder eliminated the need for a separate encoding appliance, which simplified network architecture and reduced licensing overhead compared to external encoder solutions.
Technical Highlights:
- Integrated Encoding Platform: The 055328 combines printing and encoding in one device, supporting HID Prox, iCLASS SE, MIFARE/DESFire, and Seos credentials without external encoder dependencies
- Dual-Side, Same-Side Architecture: Front-and-back printing in one pass with automatic card handling on the input side minimizes physical card handling and reduces jam risk during high-volume issuance runs
- Secure Material Management: Locking hoppers on both input and output prevent unauthorized card access between shifts and meet audit trail requirements in financial services and government deployments
Deployment Considerations:
- Verify encoder compatibility before purchasing if your environment currently uses OMNIKEY 5121 or 5125 systems; the 055328 is not a direct replacement and may require driver or firmware updates
- Network the printer via Ethernet for batch operations; USB connection is suitable for lower-volume on-demand issuance but limits multi-user access in large teams
- Plan material inventory around hopper capacity; the locking mechanism requires manual key unlocking for refills, which adds a procedural step but enforces accountability
The HID 055328 is a robust choice for organizations needing unified credential encoding without the complexity of external appliances. It performs reliably in 24/7 secure facilities issuance workflows, and the locking hopper design earned us a recommendation for SOC 2 compliance audits where credential material chain-of-custody must be documented hourly.
