CI Solutions

What CI Solutions does

CI Solutions, legally Card Integrators Corporation, is a privately held, family-owned ID credentialing systems integrator headquartered in Los Alamitos, California. Founded in 1969 by Bill Cole and formally incorporated under its current name in 1994, the company has served K-12 school districts, higher education institutions, healthcare facilities, government agencies, and membership organizations for over 35 years. The firm is now in its third generation of Cole family leadership and claims an installed base of more than 3,000 campuses nationwide.

The company's core product is the Badge cloud-based platform, which handles photo capture, RFID card enrollment, card layout design, and integration with student information systems, transportation routing, cafeteria, library, and access control systems through automated data import/export and out-of-the-box APIs. In 2023 CI Solutions launched Badge SE, a proprietary next-generation smart credential featuring flipper-resistant RFID and per-card encryption designed to address card cloning and counterfeiting. The product portfolio also includes a proprietary CIX900 card printer, an HD ID camera kit, and resold hardware from authorized distributor partnerships with Evolis, Matica, IDP, HID/Fargo, Datacard, and Zebra. Supporting services include Badge Managed Services (a turnkey bundle of hardware, software, supplies, training, and hot-swap support), full-service Card Printing Services, and Card Process Optimization consulting.

Revenue is generated through a mix of one-time hardware sales, recurring multi-year managed services contracts (encompassing software subscriptions, supplies, and support), consumables (print ribbons, cards, lanyards), and consulting fees. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales led by systems consultants providing custom quotes and assessments, augmented by an integrator-focused Partner Program for access control and POS resellers and an e-commerce storefront for supplies. All pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.

Name

CI Solutions

Legal name

Card Integrators Corporation dba CI Solutions

Website

https://cardintegrators.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CI Solutions is a family-owned, US-based ID credentialing systems integrator offering the Badge cloud platform, Badge SE smart cards, managed services, and authorized-distributor hardware from Evolis, Matica, IDP, HID/Fargo, Datacard, and Zebra to over 3,000 K-12, higher education, healthcare, government, and membership-organization campuses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

ID Credentialing Solutions

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Software Publishers (5132), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374)

akta.pro primary industry

Access Control & Identity Systems Integration (Badge, Biometrics, Mobile) (BPAKAGAB)

Keywords

• ID card printing
• RFID smart cards
• Cloud credential management
• Access control systems
• Student ID solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Alamitos

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Card Printing Services: Full-service printing for student IDs, staff badges, and transportation passes. CI Solutions handles production from start to finish, embedding graphics into cards for quality and durability, shipping sorted cards for fast distribution.
2. Badge Software Platform: Cloud-based ID management platform with annual subscription for software access, updates, support, and hosting. Included in Managed Services packages.
3. Managed Services: Comprehensive service packages providing hardware (ID card printer, camera kit), software (Badge), supplies (color ribbon, cleaning material), implementation, training, and ongoing support with hot-swap replacement.
4. Hardware Sales: Sale of card printers (Evolis, Matica, IDP, CIX900), HD ID cameras, and related accessories. One-time purchase model with optional service agreements.
5. Supplies & Accessories: Recurring sales of printer ribbons (color, monochrome, half-panel), laminates, card stock, pre-printed cards, smart/RFID cards, lanyards, badge holders, and accessories.
6. Service Agreements: Full and limited service agreements on card printers and ID systems. Limited includes phone support; Full adds part replacement, labor, and loaner units. Software Service Agreement included with initial purchase.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CI Solutions provides a fully integrated ID credentialing ecosystem that combines proprietary cloud-based software (Badge platform), tamper-resistant smart cards (Badge SE with encrypted RFID), card printers and HD ID cameras, and managed services. The company handles the full ID lifecycle — from card design, printing, and RFID enrollment to data integration with student information systems, access control, and transportation routing — targeting K-12 school districts, higher education institutions, healthcare facilities, government agencies, and membership organizations.

Product overview

CI Solutions offers a unified ID credentialing ecosystem built around its proprietary Badge cloud platform, complemented by the next-generation Badge SE smart card. The core platform (Badge) handles photo capture, RFID card enrollment, data integration, and card printing management via web-based access. Badge SE is a hardware-software smart credential featuring encrypted, tamper-resistant RFID technology. Supporting services include Managed Services (hardware provisioning and support), Card Printing Services, Card Process Optimization consulting, and Student Bus Pass Printing. The product portfolio also includes hardware from partner brands (Evolis, Matica, IDP) and CI Solutions' own CIX900 printer, HD ID Camera Kit, plus supplies (ribbons, lanyards, accessories) and service agreements. The Badge Managed Services bundle combines the Badge software with hardware (printer and camera), onboarding, training, and ongoing support into a single package.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Badge: Cloud-based ID card platform that streamlines photo capture, RFID card printing, and secure data integration from any device. Built-in tools for automation and live editing.
• Badge SE
• Badge Managed Services

Products and services

• Badge Cloud-based ID card management platform that streamlines photo capture, RFID card printing, and secure data integration. Enables credential issuance and management from any device with web-based access, automated data imports/exports, customizable card layouts with barcodes and QR codes, and integrations with student information systems and transportation routing software. Sold to school districts, higher education institutions, healthcare facilities, government agencies, and membership organizations.
• Badge SE Next-generation tamper-resistant smart card with flipper-resistant RFID technology, custom key-based encryption per card, and cloud-based identity management. Designed for K-12 schools and campuses to enhance security and prevent card cloning or fraud. Integrates seamlessly with connected campus systems without visible barcodes or QR codes.
• Badge Managed Services Full-service solution combining hardware (card printer, photo capture camera), software (Badge), onboarding, training, proactive support and monitoring, software setup, and annual updates. Targets districts and organizations needing turnkey ID credentialing programs.
• Managed Services Comprehensive card program support providing hardware (ID card printers, HD cameras), accessories, implementation assistance, and ongoing in-house support with hot-swap replacement hardware. Includes Badge ID card software with starting supplies. Targets K-12 districts, higher education institutions, healthcare facilities, government agencies, and membership organizations.
• Card Printing Services Full-service card production from design to distribution for student IDs, staff badges, and transportation passes. Graphics are embedded within cards for quality and durability, with cards arriving pre-sorted for fast distribution. Used by schools and organizations that prefer outsourced printing.
• Card Process Optimization (CPO) Consultative service that audits and streamlines the entire ID card lifecycle, from cardholder technology selection to print workflows. Supports RFID, barcode, and QR code technologies and integrates with existing systems to reduce costs, errors, and waste while enhancing security.
• Student Bus Pass Printing

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving over 3,000 campuses nationwide
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EvoliscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor partnership. Evolis printers are known for reliable print quality, advanced encoding capabilities, and sleek design. CI Solutions resells Evolis printers as part of their product portfolio for organizations needing long-lasting, high-resolution ID cards.
• MaticacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor partnership. Matica printers are high-performance ID printers designed for enterprise-level needs where speed and durability are top priority. Provides quick output and robust security features.
• IDPcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor partnership. IDP printers are user-friendly printing solutions for schools, small businesses, and mid-sized operations looking for consistent results without complexity.
• HID/FargocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor partnership. HID/Fargo is a major player in secure credential issuance and access control. CI Solutions offers their products as part of unbiased solutions consultation.
• DatacardcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor partnership. Datacard provides secure ID card issuance solutions. CI Solutions integrates their products into comprehensive access control and ID systems.
• ZebracoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor partnership. Zebra Technologies provides card printers and RFID solutions. CI Solutions offers their products alongside their own Badge platform for complete ID solutions.
• ABC FinancialminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner logo displayed on CI Solutions partner page. ABC Financial likely represents fitness/health club industry solutions integrated with CI Solutions ID systems.
• ASFminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner logo displayed on CI Solutions partner page. ASF (American Swimming Facilities or similar) represents membership/fitness vertical integration.
• IVA SolutionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner logo displayed on CI Solutions partner page. IVA Solutions provides ID/access control solutions integrated with CI Solutions credentialing.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• HID Global: HID Global (an ASSA ABLOY company) is a leading provider of secure identity credentials, card printers, and access control readers. It directly competes with CI Solutions in the K-12, higher education, healthcare, and government ID issuance space, particularly through its Fargo printer line and credential management software.
• Identiv: Identiv provides physical security and secure identity solutions including card readers, credentials, and access control. Its portfolio of card issuance, RFID, and identity management products directly overlaps with CI Solutions' Badge platform and Badge SE smart card offerings.
• Entrust: Entrust (formed via the merger of Entrust Datacard) provides card issuance printers, software, and identity credentialing solutions used by governments, enterprises, and educational institutions. It competes directly with CI Solutions in secure ID issuance and credential management.

Broad incumbents

• Zebra Technologies: Zebra Technologies offers a broad portfolio including card printers (ZC series) and RFID solutions. While Zebra is a much larger general-purpose technology provider, its card printer line and identification solutions are sold alongside CI Solutions' offerings through similar channels.
• Evolis: Evolis (now part of HID Global) is a leading manufacturer of card printers for ID issuance. CI Solutions is an authorized Evolis distributor, but Evolis also sells direct and through other resellers, making it a partial competitor in the card-printer hardware category.
• Idemia: Idemia is a global identity and security solutions provider serving government, education, and enterprise markets with credentialing, biometrics, and access control. It is a much larger competitor but targets overlapping customers in secure identity issuance.

Emerging players

• Magicard: Magicard designs and manufactures ID card printers with a focus on secure issuance and HoloKote watermark security features. It competes in the same card-printer hardware category CI Solutions resells and serves similar K-12 and SMB verticals.
• ABCorp: American Banknote Corporation (ABCorp) provides secure printed products including financial cards, ID credentials, and secure documents. Its identity credentialing services overlap with CI Solutions' card printing services for schools, government, and membership organizations.

Regional players

• Alphacard: AlphaCard is a North American reseller and integrator of ID card printers, software, and supplies serving SMBs, schools, and small districts. It competes with CI Solutions as a channel competitor for smaller card-issuance deals in the U.S. market.

Others

• Avante Health Solutions: Avante Health Solutions provides medical equipment and identity solutions including patient ID and staff credentialing products for healthcare providers. While more healthcare-focused, it addresses adjacent use cases such as staff badge issuance that overlap with CI Solutions' healthcare vertical.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cisolutionsCA/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/CardIntegrators
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ci-solutions
• Xx.com/ci_solutions

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CI Solutions