HID and Sharry Deploy Wallet-Based Student IDs at H-FARM College

HID and Sharry have implemented mobile wallet-based student IDs at H-FARM College in Italy, marking the first deployment of this type in European higher education.

HID provides secure identity technologies and credential issuance, while Sharry delivers a cloud-based access and workplace platform. The solution integrates mobile credentials into existing access control infrastructure, enabling smartphone-based campus access.

First European Deployment of Wallet-Based Student IDs

HID and Sharry have introduced digital wallet-based student IDs at H-FARM College. The system allows students, faculty, and staff to access campus facilities using smartphones or smartwatches instead of physical ID cards.

The deployment represents the first implementation of wallet-based student credentials in European higher education. It combines HID’s identity infrastructure with Sharry’s platform to create a unified, mobile-based access environment.

Technical Architecture: Identity, Middleware, and Access Control

The solution is structured across three interconnected layers that together enable mobile-based access:

• Credential layer (HID): HID provides the infrastructure to issue and manage secure digital identities. These credentials are provisioned to mobile wallets and linked to user identities within the university system.

• Middleware layer (Sharry): Sharry connects identity management, mobile applications, and access control systems. It enables users to provision their credentials via the campus app and acts as the orchestration layer between backend systems and user interaction.

• Access control layer: The infrastructure is integrated with Genetec, which manages physical access points and enforces permissions at doors and secured areas.

In operation, these layers interact in a continuous flow. A user receives a digital credential issued via HID and provisions it through the Sharry-powered app. When the user taps a smartphone or smartwatch at a reader, the credential is transmitted and processed by the access control system, which verifies permissions and triggers the corresponding action at the door.

Mobile Credentials in Daily Campus Operations

With the rollout, users can access rooms, shared spaces, and infrastructure such as printer stations via their mobile devices. The digital credential functions as a secure replacement for traditional ID cards.

Adoption at H-FARM was immediate. Around 70 percent of users activated their credentials within minutes of receiving the notification, indicating strong acceptance of mobile-based identity systems.

Integration into the University Ecosystem

The deployment is embedded in the broader H-FARM digital ecosystem. The campus app supports navigation, event updates, and services such as food ordering and payment. By integrating identity into this environment, access control becomes part of a unified digital platform.

For universities, this approach connects multiple systems:

• Identity management

• Physical access control

• Campus services and applications

This convergence enables centralized control of identities and permissions across the campus while reducing reliance on separate systems.

Relevance for Integrators and Operators

For system integrators, the project demonstrates how mobile credentials can be integrated into existing access control environments without replacing infrastructure. The use of middleware enables interoperability between identity providers, applications, and access systems.

For operators, digital IDs simplify credential lifecycle management. Issuance, updates, and revocation can be handled remotely, improving scalability and reducing operational overhead.

Toward Mobile-First Campus Architectures

The H-FARM deployment reflects a broader transition toward mobile-first access systems in higher education. By combining identity, access, and services in a single digital environment, campuses can streamline both user interaction and system management.

The project builds on previous collaborations between HID and Sharry in enterprise environments and extends this model to higher education.

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