Direct Data Entry
Direct data entry devices are devices that read data
from a source that's provided and transferred it directly to
the computer system without the need for human interaction.
For example, barcode readers are DDE and the only human
involvement is to point a reader at the barcode. The transfer of
the data to the computer is done automatically.
Some types of DDE (direct data entry) devices are:
- Magnetic stripe readers
- Contactless debit card readers
- Chip and pin readers
- Radio frequency identification (RFID) readers
Magnetic stripe card readers
A magnetic stripe card reader is a hardware device that reads the
information stored inside the magnetic stripe of a card.
For example, the back of a credit or debit card. The stripe contains useful
information, such as: account number, sort code, expiry date and start
date.
Uses
➢ ID cards
➢ Access control applications
➢ Processing debit and credit transactions
Advantages
➢ Easy to use
➢ Cost-effective
➢ Secure
Disadvantages
➢ Can be damaged. (for example, due to exposure to a
strong
➢ magnetic field) the data is lost
➢ Does not work from a distance
Contactless debit card readers
Contactless debit or credit cards allow customers to pay for
items worth up to a certain amount of money without
entering their PIN. All contactless cards have a small chip that
emits radio waves embedded in them.
Advantages of using contactless cards
➢ Secure mode of payment
➢ Data encryption
➢ Available on different mediums
➢ A cost and time-efficient method
➢ No more type errors
Disadvantages of using contactless cards
➢ Not enough acceptance
➢ Security concerns
Chip and PIN readers
Chip and PIN readers are similar to smart card readers but are used at
EFTPOS terminals.
Uses of chip and PIN readers
➢ Where payments are made using cards (restaurants,
supermarkets, travel agents, etc.).
Advantages of chip and PIN readers
➢ More secure system than contactless payments (PIN
typed in must match up with PIN stored on chip).
➢ More robust system than magnetic stripe cards.
Disadvantages of chip and PIN readers
➢ Fraud – need to be careful to ensure PIN is not read by
somebody else while typing it in.
Radio frequency identification (RFID) readers
A radio frequency identification reader (RFID reader) is a device used
to gather information from an RFID tag, which is used to track
individual objects.
Uses of RFID
• vehicle tracking
• shipping
• healthcare
• manufacturing
• retail sales
• tap-and-go credit card payments
Advantages of RFID
» No line-of-sight contact is necessary; the tags can be read
from a distance.
» It is a very robust and reliable technology.
» Very fast read-rate (typically less than 100 milliseconds to
respond).
» Bidirectional data transfer
Disadvantages of RFID
» Tag collision (this is when the signals from two or more tags
overlap,
interfering with each other).
» Because RFID uses radio waves, they are relatively easy to
jam or interrupt.
» It is relatively easy to hack into the data/signal transmitted
by the tag.
» RFID is more expensive than a comparable barcode system.
