Illumia and HID expand campus mobile access

By Editorial October 30, 2026

Student using a mobile credential at a campus access control reader, illustrating Illumia and HID integration

Illumia and HID have expanded their partnership to simplify mobile credential adoption at colleges and universities. The agreement allows institutions to retain compatible access control readers while modernizing campus card systems.

According to Illumia’s official announcement, HID mobile credentials are now supported by IDX, Illumia’s cloud-based platform. The technology was already available through CS Gold, the company’s on-premises campus card system.

As a result, institutions using CS Gold can adopt HID mobile credentials before migrating to IDX.

Existing HID readers remain compatible

The expanded integration allows institutions to separate campus card software upgrades from physical access infrastructure replacements.

Universities with compatible HID readers can retain their installed equipment when transitioning to IDX. This approach aims to reduce migration costs, technical complexity and operational disruption.

“Door access infrastructure is built to last, and campuses need technology that works with what they already have.”

– Daniel Gundlach, Vice President PACS, North America, HID

The agreement also allows institutions to modernize campus access systems according to their own implementation schedules.

CAMPUS ACCESS MODERNIZATION

HID mobile credentials: Supported on both Illumia CS Gold and IDX

Existing readers: Compatible HID access hardware can remain in place

Cloud migration: Institutions can move from CS Gold to IDX without replacing compatible readers

80% of surveyed institutions planning to migrate core systems fully to the cloud within 24 months

Cloud migration drives campus modernization

The partnership comes as higher education institutions expand their plans for cloud adoption. Illumia’s 2025 Higher Ed Innovation Index, developed with Hanover Research, found that 80% of institutions planned to migrate their core systems fully to the cloud within 24 months.

Don Smith, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Higher Education at Illumia, said the expanded partnership provides more flexibility.

Schools can adopt mobile credentials through either CS Gold or IDX without coordinating the transition with a complete hardware replacement. The agreement extends the companies’ existing cooperation in campus identity and physical access control systems.