Liverpool John Moores University Moves Towards a Cashless Campus With Salford Software.

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Cash has always been king, but for Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) it will eventually become a thing of the past on campus when paying for University services such as printing and the library.

LJMU has signed a contract with Salford Software to implement GPAS ePayments so that students will have more flexibility and 24x7 access to online services for account credits - reducing the amount of cash handled by students, staff and security.

At present the only way a student’s print account can be topped up is by over-the-counter cash transactions. Payment of the majority of library fines is also by over-the-counter cash payment,said Kevin Walsh, Technical Director, LJMU.

The primary objective of the implementation is to convert what is now a print account into a virtual purse managed via a single web interface which can be topped-up by on-line credit transfer and automatic cash-loading machines, and importantly can be used for both print/copy and for the payment of library fines.

This will significantly improve the service to students by removing the location and time constraints of over-the-counter payments, which limit the ability for students to top up their virtual purse and hence, potentially, their ability to print or photocopy

Furthermore, the new system has been designed to give parents the ability to top up their son or daughters credit limit by logging onto their ePayments account and paying with a credit card.

Parents are able to provide financial support and the system provides a new level of flexibility, security and personalisation for students of their accounts, debits and credits,” said Walsh.

During academic year 06-07 staff handled over 250,000 print account credits and library fine payments totalling over £403,000. Servicing these over-the-counter cash transactions is estimated to have taken in the order of 4,200 person hours. In addition, cash reconciliation takes 2-3 hours per week per Learning Resource Centre - over one person day per week.

This hitherto unproductive staff time can now be used much more productively and proactively by enhancing the ever-increasing range of and depth of specialist support services required by students.

LJMU is providing a flexible and cutting edge technology environment to build upon, as well as putting the safety of students, staff and security first, said James Doggart, Managing Director, Salford Software.

Salford Software has a proven track record in the provision of identity driven ePayment solutions for higher education institutions around the UK, and we’re looking forward to making LJMU a cashless campus.