Body
Overview
In the Access Control Tool (ACT), a Merchant Administrator is a designated individual within a specific department or "merchant" area who holds the authority to manage user access for their local domain.
Unlike System Administrators (who manage the entire university system), Merchant Administrators focus exclusively on their own departmental doors, users, and access levels.
What does a Merchant Administrator do?
The Merchant Administrator acts as the primary gatekeeper for their department's physical security. Their core responsibilities include:
1. User Management & Permissions
- Assigning Roles: Designating which staff members are "Merchant Staff" (can grant/revoke access) and which are "Merchant Report Viewers" (read-only).
- Granting/Revoking Access: Managing the lifecycle of access for employees, instructors, or students within their department.
- Auditing: Regularly reviewing access reports to ensure that only authorized individuals have entry permissions.
2. Security & Compliance
- Terms & Conditions: Ensuring that all users under their supervision have signed the required ACT confidentiality agreements.
- Certification: Maintaining required data web certifications for their unit.
- Policy Definition: Defining the internal processes for how their specific department grants or withdraws door access.
3. Emergency & Operational Oversight
- Public Safety: Ensuring that first responders and public safety personnel have appropriate access as required by university emergency plans.
- Error Reporting: Notifying the ID Card Office immediately if errors in door operations or hardware malfunctions are detected.
How is a Merchant Administrator chosen?
Merchant Administrators are not appointed by the ID Card Office; they are designated by the Department Lead or the Authorized Representative of the specific business unit.
Typical Merchant Administrators include:
- Academic Departments: Building Deputies or Department Heads.
- Residential Life: Housing Administrators or Resident Directors.
- Auxiliary Services: Managers within Purdue Dining & Culinary or specific retail unit leads.
Who are the Merchant Administrators across campus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Merchant?
How is a Merchant Administrator chosen?
Who can request access to ACT and what is the process?
Who provides training for ACT?
When and how does training for ACT occur?
I am a new building deputy; will I get access to ACT automatically?
Can a customer request access for themselves to the Access Control Tool, ACT?
No. We require a supervisor or other authorized university leadership to request and approve access, including the business need and responsibilities this person will need to fulfill.
Can a Merchant Administrator grant access to any door on campus?
No. A Merchant Administrator only has authority over the doors and users associated with their specific "Merchant" designation (e.g., a Dining Manager can only manage doors within their dining facility).
I am a new Department Lead. How do I designate an Administrator?
Once you have selected your representative, please contact the [Insert ID Card Office Contact Info/Link] to finalize the role assignment in the ACT system.
What happens if my Merchant Administrator leaves the department?
It is the responsibility of the Department Lead to notify the ID Card Office in writing whenever key management personnel changes occur to ensure security continuity.