CMD/Pass Validation Service
Service
Overview
An optional service, paid for by pass owners that allows for an independent verification that passes produced by suppliers, or through in house production, are correctly encoded for use to their specification.
The validation service is not intended to remove the responsibility of the pass suppliers to supply their customers with fully functioning passes. Nor is it intended to replace any testing that has been agreed between pass issuers and pass supplier. If in doubt, potential CMD Validation users should discuss the service with their supplier.
The current service provides for a minimum check that what is required by the issuer to be encoded onto the pass to achieve functionality is indeed encoded correctly on the pass. Functionality of the service may be extended over time and users, members are advised to regularly check the Service description to ensure they are aware of the offering and variable elements where those are introduced
How to Use the Service
The encoding details for each CMD submitted should be entered on the appropriate card validation Form, these are available as a download below.
The completed Form should be sent by e-mail to validation@itso.org.uk .
In some circumstances ITSO may request access to a profiled ISAM but will notify relevant pass holders at the point of application.
Service Pricing
The service is offered at a fixed, tiered rate as described in the table below. Prices include administration, management and shipping from ITSO:
Up to 10 passes - £250
11 to 20 passes -
£500
21
to 30 passes - £750
31 or more passes - £750 + £25 per
additional pass over 30
ITSO recommends users of the service to discuss directly with ITSO the recommended number of passes to be subjected to the service; however indicatively ITSO would suggest that, at a minimum, two passes for each product combination are validated (e.g. 2 x passes holding the basic concession, 2 x passes holding companion pass entitlement (if applicable), 2 x passes holding any other application).
Planning
ITSO will confirm the service timescales when an order is taken providing a provisional and then confirmed date of service. Depending on demand the indicative timescales are:
- a minimum of ½ day to validate a batch of 10 passes
- a minimum of 3 days following validation for passes to be returned to service user
Illustrative Scenarios
Pass Issuers may consider the above service to be especially useful in the following scenarios:
- A change in supplier(s)
- A change in the scheme layout that results in a new OID and/or CPICC being issued to the Pass Issuer
- A change in an element of the pass ordering process, such as implementation of a new 'Card Management System'
- The addition of new products to the passes
- The process of bringing production and encoding of passes in-house
Equally pass issuers may find the service of use prior to cycles of large bulk issuance or re-issuance of passes.
Service Results
Following the CMD validation service, ITSO will update the submitted Validation Form for each CMD which will show all the parameters that were validated for that CMD. Each parameter will be confirmed as a pass or fail; for those that fail an explanation will be provided as to the nature of the failure. The marked up Validation Form(s) will then be returned along with the CMDs and ISAM as appropriate.
