Creating Visionline Card-based Credentials

Learn how to create a card-based credential for Visionline.

To create a credential to encode onto a plastic key card for a Visionline ACS:

1. Set up an ACS user.

2. Create a credential with the access_method set to card and the appropriate visionline_metadata, such as the card format.

   • To issue the first credential for a reservation—that is, an "override" credential—make sure to set visionline_metadata.override to true.

   • To issue subsequent credentials for a reservation, set the visionline_metadata.joiner_acs_credential_ids.

   For more information about Visionline credential types, see Credential Types for Visionline and Guest Mobile Credential Types.

3. Encode the credential onto a plastic card.

   1. Use the /acs/encoders/list endpoint to retrieve a list of available encoders. Then, choose the encoder that you want to use to write the credential to the card. See Retrieve Encoders.

   2. Use the /acs/encoders/encode_credential endpoint to encode the credential onto the card, using the encoder that you have chosen. See Encode the Card.

   3. Confirm that the card was encoded successfully using polling or a webhook. See Confirm Successful Encoding. Also, see a list of common encoding errors.

The following example shows how to create a card-based override credential for Visionline and encode it onto a plastic card:

Python

Code:

# Step 1:
# Create the new ACS user.
acs_user = seam.acs.users.create(
  acs_system_id = "11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111",
  full_name = "Jane Doe",
  email_address = "[e-mail]"
)

# Step 2:
# Create a card-based credential for each entrance for the ACS user.
credential = seam.acs.credentials.create(
  acs_user_id = acs_user.acs_user_id,
  access_method = "card",
  # List the IDs of the entrances to which
  # you want to grant access.
  allowed_acs_entrance_ids = [
    room_101.seam_acs_entrance_id
  ],
  starts_at = "2024-12-01T15:00:00.000Z",
  ends_at = "2024-12-04T12:00:00.000Z",
  visionline_metadata = {
    "card_format": "rfid48",
    "override": True
  }
)

# Step 3:
# Encode the credential onto a card.
# First, get the encoder that you want to use.
encoder = seam.acs.encoders.list(
  acs_system_ids = ["11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111"]
)[0]

# Then, encode the card.
encoding_action_attempt = seam.acs.encoders.encode_credential(
  acs_credential_id = credential.acs_credential_id,
  acs_encoder_id = encoder.acs_encoder_id
)

# To confirm that the encoding succeeded, 
# poll the returned action attempt
# until its status is success.
seam.action_attempts.get(
  action_attempt_id = encoding_action_attempt.action_attempt_id
)

Output:

AcsCredential(
  acs_credential_id='66666666-6666-6666-6666-666666666666',
  acs_user_id='33333333-3333-3333-3333-333333333333',
  access_method='card',
  starts_at='2024-12-01T15:00:00.000Z',
  ends_at='2024-12-04T12:00:00.000Z',
  is_issued=False,
  ...
)

ActionAttempt(
  status='success',
  action_attempt_id='11111111-2222-3333-4444-555555555555',
  action_type='ENCODE_CREDENTIAL',
  result={
    acs_credential_id='66666666-6666-6666-6666-666666666666',
    card_number='1234abc',
    is_issued=True,
    issued_at='2024-12-01T12:00:00.000Z',
    ...
  },
  error=null
)

cURL (bash)

Code:

# Step 1:
# Create the new ACS user.
acs_user=$(curl -X 'POST' \
  'https://connect.getseam.com/acs/users/create' \
  -H 'accept: application/json' \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer ${SEAM_API_KEY}" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d "{
  \"acs_system_id\": \"11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111\",
  \"full_name\": \"Jane Doe\",
  \"email_address\": \"[e-mail]\"
}")

# Step 2:
# Create a card-based credential for each entrance for the ACS user.
# In allowed_entrance_ids, list the IDs of the entrances to
# which you want to grant access.
credential=$(curl -X 'POST' \
  'https://connect.getseam.com/acs/credentials/create' \
  -H 'accept: application/json' \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer ${SEAM_API_KEY}" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d "{
  \"acs_user_id\": \"$(jq -r '.acs_user.acs_user_id' <<< ${acs_user})\",
  \"access_method\": \"card\",
  \"allowed_acs_entrance_ids\": [
    \"${entrance_id}\"
  ],
  \"starts_at\": \"2024-12-01T15:00:00.000Z\",
  \"ends_at\": \"2024-12-04T12:00:00.000Z\",
  \"visionline_metadata\": {
     \"card_format\": \"rfid48\",
     \"override\": true
  }
}")

# Step 3:
# Encode the credential onto a card.
# First, get the encoder that you want to use.
encoder=$(curl -X 'POST' \
  'https://connect.getseam.com/acs/encoders/list' \
  -H 'accept: application/json' \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer ${SEAM_API_KEY}" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d "{
  \"acs_system_id\": \"11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111\"
}" | jq -r '.acs_encoders[0]')

# Then, encode the card.
encoding_action_attempt=$(curl -X 'POST' \
  'https://connect.getseam.com/acs/encoders/encode_credential' \
  -H 'accept: application/json' \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer ${SEAM_API_KEY}" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d "{
  \"acs_credential_id\": \"$(jq -r '.acs_credential.acs_credential_id' <<< ${credential})\",
  \"acs_encoder_id\": \"$(jq -r '.acs_encoder_id' <<< ${encoder})\"
}")

# To confirm that the encoding succeeded, 
# poll the returned action attempt
# until its status is success.
curl -X 'POST' \
  'https://connect.getseam.com/action_attempts/get' \
  -H 'accept: application/json' \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer ${SEAM_API_KEY}" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d "{
  \"action_attempt_id\": \"$(jq -r '.action_attempt.action_attempt_id' <<< ${encoding_action_attempt})\"
}"

Output:

{
  "acs_credential":
    {
      "acs_credential_id": "66666666-6666-6666-6666-666666666666",
      "acs_user_id": "33333333-3333-3333-3333-333333333333",
      "access_method": "card",
      "starts_at": "2024-12-01T15:00:00.000Z",
      "ends_at": "2024-12-04T12:00:00.000Z",
      "is_issued": false,
      ...
    },
  "ok":true
}

{
  "action_attempt":
    {
      "status": "success",
      "action_attempt_id": "11111111-2222-3333-4444-555555555555",
      "action_type": "ENCODE_CREDENTIAL",
      "result": {
        "acs_credential_id": "66666666-6666-6666-6666-666666666666",
        "card_number": "1234abc",
        "is_issued": true,
        "issued_at": "2024-12-01T12:00:00.000Z",
        ...
      },
      "error": null
    },
  "ok": true
}

JavaScript

Code:

// Step 1:
// Create the new ACS user.
const acsUser = await seam.acs.users.create({
  acs_system_id: "11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111",
  full_name: "Jane Doe",
  email_address: "[e-mail]"
});

// Step 2:
// Create a card-based credential for each entrance for the ACS user.
const credential = await seam.acs.credentials.create({
  acs_user_id: acsUser.acs_user_id,
  access_method: "card",
  allowed_acs_entrance_ids: [
    // List the IDs of the entrances to which
    // you want to grant access.
    room101.seam_acs_entrance_id
  ],
  starts_at: "2024-12-01T15:00:00.000Z",
  ends_at: "2024-12-04T12:00:00.000Z",
  visionline_metadata: {
    "card_format": "rfid48",
    "override": true
  }
});

// Step 3:
// Encode the credential onto a card.
// First, get the encoder that you want to use.
const encoder = (await seam.acs.encoders.list({
  acs_system_ids = ["11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111"]
}))[0];

# Then, encode the card.
const encodingActionAttempt = await seam.acs.encoders.encodeCredential({
  acs_credential_id: credential.acs_credential_id,
  acs_encoder_id: encoder.acs_encoder_id
});

# To confirm that the encoding succeeded, 
# poll the returned action attempt
# until its status is success.
await seam.actionAttempts.get({
  action_attempt_id: encodingActionAttempt.action_attempt_id
});

Output:

{
  acs_credential_id: '66666666-6666-6666-6666-666666666666',
  acs_user_id: '33333333-3333-3333-3333-333333333333',
  access_method: 'card',
  starts_at: '2024-12-01T15:00:00.000Z',
  ends_at: '2024-12-04T12:00:00.000Z',
  is_issued: false,
  ...
}

{
  status: 'success',
  action_attempt_id: '11111111-2222-3333-4444-555555555555",
  action_type: 'ENCODE_CREDENTIAL',
  result: {
    acs_credential_id: "66666666-6666-6666-6666-666666666666',
    card_number: '1234abc',
    is_issued: true,
    issued_at: '2024-12-01T12:00:00.000Z',
    ...
  },
  error: null
}

Ruby

Code:

# Step 1:
# Create the new ACS user.
acs_user = seam.acs.users.create(
  acs_system_id: "11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111",
  full_name: "Jane Doe",
  email_address: "[e-mail]"
)

# Step 2:
# Create a card-based credential for each entrance for the ACS user.
credential = seam.acs.credentials.create(
  acs_user_id: acs_user.acs_user_id,
  access_method: "card",
  # List the IDs of the entrances to which
  # you want to grant access.
  allowed_acs_entrance_ids: [
    room_101.seam_acs_entrance_id
  ],
  starts_at: "2024-12-01T15:00:00.000Z",
  ends_at: "2024-12-04T12:00:00.000Z",
  visionline_metadata: {
    "card_format": "rfid48",
    "override": true
  }
)

# Step 3:
# Encode the credential onto a card.
# First, get the encoder that you want to use.
encoder = (seam.acs.encoders.list(
  acs_system_ids = ["11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111"]
))[0]

# Then, encode the card.
encoding_action_attempt = seam.acs.encoders.encode_credential(
  acs_credential_id: credential.acs_credential_id,
  acs_encoder_id: encoder.acs_encoder_id
)

# To confirm that the encoding succeeded, 
# poll the returned action attempt
# until its status is success.
seam.action_attempts.get(
  action_attempt_id: encoding_action_attempt.action_attempt_id
)

Output:

<Seam::Resources::AcsCredential:0x00410
  acs_credential_id="66666666-6666-6666-6666-666666666666"
  acs_user_id="33333333-3333-3333-3333-333333333333"
  access_method="card"
  starts_at="2024-12-01T15:00:00.000Z"
  ends_at="2024-12-04T12:00:00.000Z"
  is_issued=false
  ...
>

<Seam::Resources::ActionAttempt:0x00410
  status="success"
  action_attempt_id="11111111-2222-3333-4444-555555555555"
  action_type="ENCODE_CREDENTIAL"
  result={
    acs_credential_id="66666666-6666-6666-6666-666666666666"
    card_number="1234abc"
    is_issued=true,
    issued_at="2024-12-01T12:00:00.000Z"
    ...
  }
  error=nil
>

PHP

Code:

// Step 1:
// Create the new ACS user.
$acs_user = $seam->acs->users->create(
  acs_system_id: "11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111",
  full_name: "Jane Doe",
  email_address: "[e-mail]"
);

// Step 2:
// Create a card-based credential for each entrance for the ACS user.
$credential = $seam->acs->credentials->create(
  acs_user_id: $acs_user->acs_user_id,
  access_method: "card",
  allowed_acs_entrance_ids: [
    // List the IDs of the entrances to which
    // you want to grant access.
    $room_101->seam_acs_entrance_id
  ],
  starts_at: "2024-12-01T15:00:00.000Z",
  ends_at: "2024-12-04T12:00:00.000Z",
  visionline_metadata: array('card_format' => "rfid48", 'is_override_key' => true)
);

// Step 3:
// Encode the credential onto a card.
// First, get the encoder that you want to use.
$encoder = $seam->acs->encoders->list(
  acs_system_ids = ["11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111"]
)[0];

// Then, encode the card.
$encoding_action_attempt = $seam->acs->encoders->encode_credential(
  acs_credential_id: $credential->acs_credential_id,
  acs_encoder_id: $encoder->acs_encoder_id
);

// To confirm that the encoding succeeded, 
// poll the returned action attempt
// until its status is success.
$seam->action_attempts->get(
  action_attempt_id: $encoding_action_attempt->action_attempt_id
);

Output:

{
  "acs_credential_id": "66666666-6666-6666-6666-666666666666",
  "acs_user_id": "33333333-3333-3333-3333-333333333333",
  "access_method": "card",
  "starts_at": "2024-12-01T15:00:00.000Z",
  "ends_at": "2024-12-04T12:00:00.000Z",
  "is_issued": false,
  ...
}

{
  "status": "success",
  "action_attempt_id": "11111111-2222-3333-4444-555555555555",
  "action_type": "ENCODE_CREDENTIAL",
  "result": {
    "acs_credential_id": "66666666-6666-6666-6666-666666666666",
    "card_number": "1234abc",
    "is_issued": true,
    "issued_at": "2024-12-01T12:00:00.000Z",
    ...
  },
  "error": null
}

C#

Code:

// Coming soon!

Output:

// Coming soon!

Java

Code:

// Coming soon!

Output:

// Coming soon!

Go

Code:

// Step 1:
// Create the new ACS user.
acs_user, err := client.Acs.Users.Create(
  context.Background(), &acs.UsersCreateRequest{
    AcsSystemId: "11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111",
    FullName: api.String("Jane Doe"),
    EmailAddress: api.String("[e-mail]"),
  },
)
if err != nil {
  return err
}

startsAt, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339, "2024-12-01T15:00:00Z")
endsAt, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339, "2024-12-04T12:00:00Z")
if err != nil {
  return err
}

// Step 2:
// Create a card-based credential for each entrance for the ACS user.
credential, err := client.Acs.Credentials.Create(
  context.Background(), &acs.CredentialsCreateRequest{
    AcsUserId: acs_user.AcsUserId,
    AccessMethod: "card",
    AllowedAcsEntranceIds: []string{
      // List the IDs of the entrances to which
      // you want to grant access.
      room_101.AcsEntranceId,
    },
    StartsAt: api.Time(startsAt),
    EndsAt: api.Time(endsAt),
    VisionlineMetadata: &acs.CredentialsCreateRequestVisionlineMetadata{
      CardFormat: acs.CredentialsCreateRequestVisionlineMetadataCardFormatRfid48.Ptr(),
      Override: api.Bool(true),
    },
  },
);
if err != nil {
  return err
};

// Step 3:
// Encode the credential onto a card.
// First, get the encoder that you want to use.
encoders, err := client.Acs.Encoders.List(
  context.Background(), &acs.EncodersListRequest{
    AcsSystemIds: []string{
      "11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111",
    },
  },
)
if err != nil {
  return err
}
encoder := encoders[0]

// Then, encode the card.
encodingActionAttempt, err := client.Acs.Encoders.EncodeCredential(
  context.Background(), &acs.EncodersEncodeCredentialRequest{
    AcsCredentialId: credential.AcsCredentialId,
    AcsEncoderId: encoder.AcsEncoderId,
  },
)
if err != nil {
  return err
}

// To confirm that the encoding succeeded, 
// poll the returned action attempt
// until its status is success.
actionAttempt, err := client.ActionAttempts.Get(
  context.Background(), &api.ActionAttemptsGetRequest{
    ActionAttemptId: encodingActionAttempt.ActionAttemptId,
  },
)
if err != nil {
  return err
}

fmt.Println(credential)
fmt.Println(actionAttempt)

return nil

Output:

{
  "acs_credential_id": "66666666-6666-6666-6666-666666666666",
  "acs_user_id": "33333333-3333-3333-3333-333333333333",
  "access_method": "card",
  "starts_at": "2024-12-01T15:00:00Z",
  "ends_at": "2024-12-04T12:00:00Z",
  "is_issued": false,
  ...
}

{
  "status": "success",
  "action_attempt_id": "11111111-2222-3333-4444-555555555555",
  "action_type": "ENCODE_CREDENTIAL",
  "result": {
    "acs_credential_id": "66666666-6666-6666-6666-666666666666",
    "card_number": "1234abc",
    "is_issued": true,
    "issued_at": "2024-12-01T12:00:00.000Z",
    ...
  },
  "error": null
}

---

Next Steps

You can use an encoder to scan a plastic key card to read its encoded parameters. The scan result includes the card's properties, such as its card number, serial number, and other useful details. For more information, see Scanning Encoded Cards.