{"id":7,"date":"2010-09-29T17:19:19","date_gmt":"2010-09-29T17:19:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=7"},"modified":"2010-09-29T17:43:59","modified_gmt":"2010-09-29T17:43:59","slug":"exchange-id-check-goes-hi-tech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=7","title":{"rendered":"Exchange ID Check Goes Hi-Tech"},"content":{"rendered":"

MEDIA CONTACT:<\/strong> Judd Anstey<\/a>
\nMEDIA ADVISORY:<\/strong> 10-044
\nRELEASE DATE:<\/strong> September 2010
\nExchange ID Check Goes Hi-Tech<\/strong><\/p>\n

DALLAS<\/strong> \u2013 Implementation of an updated point-of-sale system that leverages the technological advances available through \u201csmart\u201d Common Access Cards is streamlining the identification process for age-restricted items at Army and Air Force Exchanges.<\/p>\n

\u201cAccording to DoD Instruction 1330.21<\/a> and Army Regulation 215-8<\/a>, Exchanges are required to restrict the sale of certain items such as alcohol and tobacco,\u201d said the Army & Air Force Exchange Service\u2019s Chief of Staff Col. Virgil Williams. \u201cPrior to implementation of the \u2018smart\u2019 ID cards, exchange associates had to visually inspect the identification in order to complete the sale. Now, our scanners at the register can work directly with the card to verify eligibility.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Exchange\u2019s new point-of-sale system, which rolled out to CONUS locations on Sept. 22 and is scheduled to be release at European and PAC facilities before the end of the month, prompts associates to check identification when a restricted item is scanned.<\/p>\n

Scanning the bar code on the front of the shopper\u2019s ID card allows the Exchange\u2019s system to determine the customer\u2019s age and quickly complete the transaction. The system does not print the customer\u2019s birth date on a receipt or store the information in any way.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a convenience issue,\u201d said Williams. \u201cIt\u2019s simply a matter of what is easiest for the shopper and, because the process is mechanical, another measure to help ensure minors are not in possession of age-restricted items.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Williams, scanning IDs to verify age is consistent with DoD Instruction 1000.13<\/a> which deems \u201cU.S. Armed Forces Identification\u201d cards as \u201cthe primary ID for active duty Uniformed Services members and shall be used to identify the member\u2019s eligibility for benefits and privileges\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn this case the Exchange is identifying whether the shopper is eligible to purchase age-restricted items,\u201d said Williams. \u201cAs a result, I believe this effort is consistent with the DoD\u2019s intent behind \u2018smart\u2019 IDs and am excited about the efficiencies combining it with the Exchanges\u2019 point- of-sale system presents. Furthermore, I\u2019m confident this process is protecting the benefits of authorized shoppers by verifying ages on items, such as knives and mature rated music, video and games, as well as tobacco and alcohol.\u201d<\/p>\n\t

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