Before You Start
To use RFID, your school will need:
An RFID reader
RFID-enabled student cards
An iPad running the Orah Checkpoint app
RFID enabled for your school
📌 RFID functionality must be enabled for your school before setup can begin.
Supported RFID Readers
Orah supports RFID readers that operate in:
HID Keyboard Wedge mode
In this mode, the RFID reader behaves like an external keyboard and automatically sends the scanned card identifier to Orah.
Supported connection types include:
USB-C RFID readers
Bluetooth RFID readers
No additional software is required for the RFID reader itself. RFID readers operate in HID Keyboard Wedge (plug-and-play) mode and behave like an external keyboard.
Schools will still need to complete the required Orah configuration, including enabling RFID for the school, configuring checkpoints or attendance workflows, and ensuring student Card UID values are populated.
RFID Frequencies
The RFID reader must support the same frequency as your student cards.
Common frequencies include:
Card Type | Frequency |
MIFARE / NTAG | 13.56 MHz |
HID Prox / EM4100 | 125 kHz |
Most modern school ID cards use 13.56 MHz technology (MIFARE / NTAG). Older access control systems may use 125 kHz proximity cards.
⚠️ Confirm the card frequency with your card supplier before purchasing readers.
How Student Matching Works
Orah matches a scanned card to a student using one stored identifier per student. There are three supported identifier options:
Card UID – a unique value you enter per student (capturing the card's factory serial number)
Orah Reference ID – the student's internal Orah identifier
Blackbaud SIS ID – the student's Blackbaud SIS identifier
Understanding how matching works is important because the identifier type you choose directly affects which RFID readers you will need and the overall cost of your setup.
Path 1 – Match on Card UID (Recommended)
Every RFID card has a unique, factory-set serial number called a UID. Because this value is already stored on the card, any standard keyboard-wedge RFID reader can read it without any special card programming or reader configuration.
How it works:
Scan each student's card once at enrollment to capture their card's UID.
Store that UID in the Card UID field on the student's Orah profile.
From that point on, any compatible keyboard-wedge RFID reader will read the UID and match the student automatically.
Reader cost: Standard keyboard-wedge readers are widely available, starting at around $15 each.
✅ This is the recommended approach for most schools — no card programming or special hardware configuration required.
Path 2 – Match on a Specific Encoded Number
If your school needs to store and read a specific chosen number on the card (such as a student ID number or a custom-generated value), that number must be encoded onto the card by the card manufacturer or issuer. The reader must also be configured to decode it correctly.
This approach requires:
A configurable RFID reader (such as those from HID Global or Elatec) — typically $85–$110 each
Card encoding performed by your card supplier or access control provider
Reader cost: Configurable readers in the $85–$110 range.
This path offers more control over the number stored on the card but involves additional hardware, configuration, and setup effort.
⚠️ Before purchasing any RFID readers, confirm which matching path your school will use. Your choice determines the reader type and cost.
Recommended RFID Readers
The following RFID readers have been tested or reviewed for use with Orah.
Verified Reader
GAO RFID Bluetooth 4.0 RFID Reader
Bluetooth connection
Supports 13.56 MHz cards
Compatible with MIFARE and NTAG cards
Operates in HID Keyboard Wedge mode
Reader with Limited Testing
USB-C RFID Reader (13.56 MHz)
USB-C connection
Supports 13.56 MHz cards
Operates in HID Keyboard Wedge mode
Suitable for pilot or lower-traffic deployments
Important: Orah recommends testing any RFID reader with a small group of cards before rolling it out across campus.
Configure Student Card Identifiers
Before students can use RFID cards, Orah must know which card belongs to which student.
Student card identifiers can be:
Added manually
Imported in bulk
Each student record should contain the card UID associated with their RFID card.
Connect the RFID Reader
Bluetooth Reader
Pair the RFID reader with the iPad using Bluetooth settings.
Open the Orah Checkpoint app.
Navigate to the required checkpoint.
Test a student card scan.
USB-C Reader
Connect the reader directly to the iPad.
Open the Orah Checkpoint app.
Navigate to the required checkpoint.
Test a student card scan.
Verify the Reader Is Working
A simple way to test the reader is:
Open the Notes app or any text input field on the device and scan a card.
The card identifier should appear as typed text. If nothing appears, verify the reader connection, pairing, and card frequency compatibility.
Configure a Checkpoint
Go to Admin Console → Checkpoints → Configuration
Click New Checkpoint
Configure the checkpoint details
Save the checkpoint
Open the checkpoint in the Orah Checkpoint app
Test student scans
Configuring check-in/out
Configuring automated attendance check-in
Choosing the identifier
Important Notes
Virtual Keyboard Behaviour
📌 If the iPad's on-screen keyboard disappears while an RFID reader is connected, see RFID Troubleshooting & FAQs → "Why did the iPad keyboard disappear?" for steps to restore it.