Plastic card with printing by computer

Press, 30 June 1983, Page 18

Plastic card with printing by computer

The local automobile association, AA (Canterbury), has pioneered a plastic, computerised, membership card that is produced and utilised in a way unique in both New Zealand and Australia. The first printing of the new cards started at the beginning of the month, with those destined for veteran life members and members whose subscriptions fall due on July 31. Together, these total almost 30,000 people, with 8000 veteran fife members among them. The rest of the membership will receive new cards as their subscriptions fall due. The development work for the new computer card system has been done by AA (Canterbury), which has also borne the cost of this. The automobile associations of other areas were invited to join the system — without being asked for a contribution towards development costs. This. offer was so good that four of the six now involved are associations that did not previously have computerisation — those of Marlborough, Nelson, Wanganui and Wairarapa. The sixth association in the new system is AA (Central).

Once the system is in place, two mailings are cut out, resulting in considerable savings in stationery, postage and staff time. In addition, the overdue period before membership

lapses is reduced from 10 months to about five. The attractive, plastic, membership card is sent out on a carrier form that also serves as an overdue reminder. The card is pre-validated, but is functional for services only when membership information shows that the member is financial — which can be rapidly checked on the association’s v.d.u. screens. This does not mean that a non-financial member is left stranded on the roadside. When he or she requests a breakdown service it will be provided, but prompt payment of the subscription will be expected, either to the attending officer or an office of the association. The carrier form that is also a subscription account is returned by the member with his payment. The recording of this payment automatically registers in the member’s computerised file, as well as in the cash balance. If the account is not paid, another copy of the same form is sent out as a reminder, then two letters follow, if necessary. If the subscription is still unpaid after five months, the member’s name is removed from the roll.

Because of the postage saved by the new system, AA (Canterbury) can again afford to send out the accommodation and camping guide to all its members at one time; in recent years, the posting of this has been linked to “cycle” billing, to reduce postal costs. A new guide is being

printed early in July and will be sent out as soon as it is ready. The entire computer system has itself been revamped, to take full advantage of the opportunities for stream-lining offered by the new card concept. AA (Canterbury) and AA (Central) worked together on this, taking the best features of their respective systems to design an upgraded AA “package.” There are 13 autonomous automobile associations in New Zealand, and besides the six that have already decided to join the new system, others are giving it serious consideration.