Abstract: A control system for controlling the operation of a subsystem, such as an appliance, through independent cycles of operation, the system having, in the preferred embodiment, a magnetically encoded card for receiving and storing information identifying an operator; a relay operably connected to the subsystem for initiating operation of the subsystem through a cycle of operation; a card reader for reading the magnetically encoded card to identify the operator; a control board operable individually to determine, according to predetermined criteria, if an operator is entitled to a cycle of operation of the subsystem; and a communications network interconnecting the card reader, control board and relay whereby, upon presentation reading of the magnetically encoded card by the card reader to determine the operator, the control board determines if the operator is entitled to a cycle of operation and, if so determined, the relay is operated to initiate a cycle of operation of the subsystem.