NOVACard Mobile Beta Instructions

These are instructions for NOVACard Mobile Beta Testing.

Overview

At NOVA, we are always looking for ways to make your campus experience more seamless and secure. NOVACard Mobile is our latest step in bringing your physical ID directly to your smartphone and smartwatch. As a beta tester, your experience and feedback are vital. You aren't just using a new app; you are helping us refine the future of the NOVACard before it rolls out to the entire college community.

Getting Started

Transitioning to NOVACard Mobile is quick and easy. To ensure a smooth setup and help you get the most out of the mobile experience, we’ve broken the process down into three simple phases:

1. Preparation: Checking device compatibility and that your NOVACard account is ready.

2. Installation: Downloading the app and authenticating your account.

3. Activation: Provisioning your digital credential to your mobile wallet.

IMPORTANT: After activating your mobile credential on your phone/watch there is a 15min delay before it can be used for NOVACard Mobile services.

Follow the step-by-step instructions below to digitize your NOVACard experience:

Preparation

1. Must have an active NOVACard before you are able to provision a digital credential. Users who do not will have to go through the Photo Upload process first. 

            Note: Submitted photos must be approved before your NOVACard account will become active.

2. Must be enrolled in current or future semester.

3. Must use a compatible smartphone and/or smartwatch.

Apple Requirements

• iPhone 6s Plus or later (Note: Some NOVACard functions may not be supported on iPhone SE).

• Running latest version of iOS.

• Apple Watch Series 1 or later running latest version of watchOS.

Android Requirements

• Android 7 or later with NFC enabled.

             Note: Google Wallet support is currently set to release later this year.  This restricts Android use to smartphone via the app only for the time being.

Installation

1. The first step is to download the Atrium Campus Connect App onto your phone.

2. Log in to the Atrium Campus Connect App using either your email.vccs.edu or nvcc.edu email address.

3. Select NOVA then enter your VCCS credentials and process any Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) that is setup on your account.

4. You will now be on the Atrium Connect dashboard.

       Note: We have created a step by step How-To-Guide to assist with the installation and logging in of the Atrium Campus Connect App.

Activation

1. Once you have logged into the Atrium Campus Connect App you will find yourself on the dashboard.

2. Depending on your device (Apple or Android) the next steps will differ.

IMPORTANT: After activating your mobile credential on your phone/watch there is a 15min delay before it can be used for NOVACard Mobile services.

Apple Steps

1. Click on the Settings icon in the bottom right. 

2. Select the Credentials option.

3. From this screen you can see your phone and watch device.

4. Select the device you would like to provision a credential to and select the Add to Apple Wallet option.

5. Follow the prompts from your device to register the credential into your Apple wallet.

6. Once completed the device should show as Active in the credentials screen.  To register your other device repeat the previous steps.

7. To verify your credential was registered properly go to your Apple Wallet app and look for your new NOVACard mobile credential.

   Note: Ensure Express Mode is enabled on your credential by going into the information options (often shown as an 'i' or '...') and toggling it on.

Android Steps

1. Click on Credentials button on the dashboard.

2. From this screen you can see the option to create your mobile credential.

3. Click Create Mobile Credential to provision to the app.

4. Once the provision has been completed your mobile credential will show as Active.

      Note: We have created a step by step How-To-Guide to assist with provisioning your credential on both Apple & Android.

Usage

Areas we are looking to test the NOVACard Program at:

• ACEPrint Stations

  Note: For the duration of the Beta- ONLY a user's phone will work with ACEPrint stations after they provision a credential to it.  This is a technical limitation we are working to have removed before the NOVACard Mobile program goes Live.

• Bookstores/Cafés

• Electronic Door Access

• Libraries

• NOVACard Deposit Terminal

Faculty/Staff Note: Traka Boxes (Card Controlled Key Boxes) are NOT currently supported by NOVACard Mobile.  You will need to continue using your physical card for access.

Using your new digital NOVACard will vary based on which device you are currently using (Apple or Android).

Apple

• iPhones/Apple Watches with Express Mode activated can use their mobile credential by simply tapping the device to any card reader at the college.

• The device does not need to be unlocked to function.  The readers can read the NFC chip even when the device is locked with a black screen.

Android

• Since Google Wallet is still being implemented into the app, Android users have a slightly different process.

• Android phones need to be powered on to ensure the NFC antenna is sending out a signal for the readers to pick up.

  Note: Simply pressing your lock button to turn on your screen should be sufficient to power the NFC antenna.

• After the phone is 'on' tap it to the card reader to have it recognized.

Virtual NOVACard

Along with your new mobile credential you will also gain access to your virtual NOVACard.  This is a digital representation of the physical NOVACard and works as your primary identification card.

1. To access your virtual NOVACard login to the dashboard on the Atrium Campus Connect app.

2. There is a card icon in the upper right corner of the dashboard.

• Apple

  

• Android

  

3.  Clicking the icon will open your virtual NOVACard on the screen. 

Note: Clicking your virtual NOVACard will 'flip' it to the backside where you can view important information.

Feedback

The most important aspect of this Beta is feedback from you the end user. We are interested in your experience and feedback to help us make NOVACard Mobile the best it can be. To help with this we have created a survey. 

• https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8NTDG6W

Please fill out the survey after you've had some time to experience the program and let us know your thoughts.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns with the NOVACard Mobile program feel free to stop by or contact your campus Parking/NOVACard Office  or reach out to us via email at asknovacard@nvcc.edu.