HID 55108 DTC4500e Dual-Side Photo ID Printer with Smart Card Encoder
Overview
The HID 55108 represents a complete photo ID system engineered for organizations requiring high-volume, enterprise-grade badge production with integrated smart card and proximity encoding capabilities. This configuration delivers dual-sided printing, full-color continuous-tone output at 300 dpi (11.8 dots/mm), and multi-technology card encoding in a single integrated platform. The system is designed for daily operational deployment across access control, loyalty programs, and identity verification workflows where volume, reliability, and credential flexibility are mandatory.
Key Features
- Dual-Sided Printing: Edge-to-edge card printing on both sides with full-color continuous-tone output at 300 dpi resolution for professional-grade badge production
- USB and Ethernet Connectivity: Dual network and direct computer interfaces for flexible deployment in networked and standalone configurations
- Smart Card Encoding: OMNIKEY 5127-USB integrated smart card encoder supporting HID Prox, iCLASS (SE), MIFARE/DESFire, and Seos credentials in a single encoding operation
- SmartScreen Graphical Display: Intuitive on-device interface providing real-time printer status monitoring and operational prompts
- Modular Architecture: Field-upgradeable design allowing expansion to lamination, additional encoding formats, and extended functionality without full system replacement
- Dual-Input Card Hoppers: Increased card capacity with simultaneous management of multiple card types without manual card staging between runs
- Asure ID Express Software: Professional card design and batch production software with advanced layout capabilities and photo integration
- FARGO Workbench Toolkit: Integrated printer diagnostics, firmware upgrade management, and configuration utilities
- High-End USB Digital Web Camera: Included photo capture device for on-site cardholder imaging
- Full-Color Ribbon Supply: Continuous-tone color printing infrastructure included in base configuration
Integration & Compatibility
The HID 55108 supports multiple credential technologies within a single encoding workflow. The integrated OMNIKEY 5127-USB encoder handles HID Prox cards, iCLASS (SE) smart cards, MIFARE/DESFire contact and contactless smart cards, and Seos open platform credentials. This multi-technology approach eliminates sequential encoding operations and reduces production cycle time for hybrid credential deployments. The encoder is not compatible as a drop-in replacement for OMNIKEY 5121 or 5125 systems; integration planning must account for this hardware differentiation. USB and Ethernet interfaces provide flexibility for both direct workstation attachment and networked deployment in distributed badge production environments.
Package Contents
The system ships as a complete production platform including the FARGO DTC4500e printer/encoder unit with SmartScreen display, dual-input card hoppers (without locking mechanisms in this base model), full-color ribbon supply, Asure ID Express software license, FARGO Workbench diagnostic toolkit, high-end USB digital web camera, and USB/Ethernet connectivity hardware. No external hardware acquisition is required for immediate operational deployment.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
I evaluated the HID 55108 during a multi-site access control deployment where dual-technology credential issuance was mandatory. The integrated OMNIKEY 5127-USB encoder capability significantly reduced our production workflow complexity by consolidating HID Prox and iCLASS encoding into single-pass operations, eliminating the sequential encoding overhead we experienced with previous generation systems.
Technical Highlights:
- Multi-Technology Encoding: Single integrated encoder supports HID Prox proximity, iCLASS (SE), MIFARE/DESFire, and Seos smart cards without external reader modules or sequential processing
- Dual-Sided Printing at 300 dpi: Full-color continuous-tone output provides professional badge quality with edge-to-edge coverage for branding and security features
- Networked Deployment: USB and Ethernet dual connectivity enables both direct workstation integration and centralized badge production across distributed locations
Deployment Considerations:
- The base model configuration includes non-locking card hoppers; if secure card staging or material control auditing is required, confirm hopper upgrade availability with your distributor before procurement
- The OMNIKEY 5127-USB is not compatible as a direct replacement for 5121 or 5125 systems; existing encoding workflows or hardware integrations using older OMNIKEY models require validation before system swap-out
- Plan for sufficient USB or network bandwidth if deploying multiple production workstations; Ethernet deployment reduces client-side infrastructure overhead for centralized badge production centers
The HID 55108 delivers enterprise-grade credential flexibility in a single platform. For organizations managing mixed-technology card portfolios or scaling badge production from low to medium volumes, the modular architecture and integrated multi-technology encoding provide a pragmatic path forward without costly parallel infrastructure.
