| In my role as a Security Consultant, I have been on | | | | because it can be difficult and time consuming to |
| countless appointments at companies that do not have | | | | manage multiple time groups or limit an individual's |
| a comprehensive key management plan in place. It's | | | | access. |
| not really that uncommon of a problem and it can | | | | That's not to say that you cannot provide full date and |
| quickly get out of control. | | | | time limited access control with a 1-4 door system, but |
| Almost every home and office is secured with a lock | | | | if your application requires periodic updates and multiple |
| and a key. Most people have a key chain to help them | | | | users, you may want to consider a more sophisticated |
| keep track of these important symbols of modern | | | | solution. A good application for a 1-4 door system |
| society. House keys, office keys, garage keys and | | | | would be a remotely managed multi-tenant building |
| several car keys usually rattle around in most people's | | | | without an on site manager. |
| pockets or purses. | | | | Lower to mid range P.C. based solutions can be |
| Even though lock and key mechanisms incorporate | | | | provided that control access on 1 to 32 doors of |
| many modern security features they are still | | | | access. Systems in this range can provide controlled |
| susceptible to being lost, stolen or copied. Another | | | | access to several thousand users. They are a good |
| inherent weakness in lock and keys is that anyone | | | | choice if your intention is to allow keyless entry on a |
| with a key can enter your building any time they want. | | | | limited number of doors at a single site and run some |
| Each year, companies spend hundreds of thousands | | | | limited reports. |
| of dollars re-keying buildings because someone lost a | | | | Most electronic access systems in the low to mid |
| set of keys or an employee was fired who did not | | | | range are Windows based software applications that |
| return a set of building keys? | | | | use MSDE or other off the shelf database software; |
| Do you know how many grand master keys have | | | | therefore the reporting features are fairly limited. |
| been issued in your building? Can you reasonably say | | | | In addition, the low to mid range systems have limited |
| with confidence that none of your keys have been | | | | abilities to monitor alarms, provide video badging, |
| copied by less than ethical employees? Do you have | | | | integrate with 3rd party databases or interface with |
| employee's entering your office at odd hours? Has | | | | other systems such as CCTV or Burglar Alarms. |
| your building ever been left unlocked? | | | | There are literally dozens of manufacturers flooding |
| If you have experienced any of the preceding issues, | | | | the small to mid range market and their offerings vary |
| perhaps and Electronic Access Control System is the | | | | greatly. You would be wise to perform some due |
| "key". An Electronic Access Control System can | | | | diligence and ask for local references from any vendor |
| provide you with an effective solution to your key | | | | that you may be considering. |
| management nightmare while providing a very potent | | | | Enterprise Level Access Control Systems occupy the |
| tool in your overall security management plan. | | | | top tier of entry control systems. There are only a |
| Take back those keys! A properly deployed electronic | | | | handful of manufacturers that can truly call themselves |
| access control system will allow you to secure your | | | | an "Enterprise Level" solution. These highly |
| facility and deter crimes by limiting access to | | | | sophisticated systems are true security management |
| authorized personnel and separating public from | | | | systems that can easily and effectively handle |
| private areas. | | | | thousands of card readers, hundreds of thousands of |
| The capabilities of electronic access control systems | | | | cards, and a multitude of workstations spread all |
| vary greatly. They range from single door stand alone | | | | across the globe. |
| systems that you program through a keypad, to | | | | An Enterprise Level Solution has integrated single point |
| medium sized computer based systems, to the top of | | | | of entry video badging, seamless integration to CCTV |
| the line "enterprise" systems that have the ability to | | | | systems and Digital Video Recorders, true real time |
| communicate control thousands of card readers on | | | | alarm handling with live on line graphics pages and full |
| multiple continents. | | | | blown database solutions like SQL Server or Oracle. |
| Electronic Access Control Systems have some very | | | | Enterprise Level Access Control systems utilize door |
| basic things in common. Each of them will allow you to | | | | processing units or access control panels that can |
| control who goes where and when in your facility by | | | | communicate via RS422/485 and TCP/IP Protocol. |
| requiring the presentation of a unique credential at a | | | | Enterprise Level Systems are only sold through |
| Card Reader or a PIN pad and they can be set up to | | | | factory trained and authorized systems integrators |
| provide you with a report of who has entered your | | | | who have a proven track record and fully staffed |
| building. | | | | service departments. |
| There are several manufacturers that provide 1 to 4 | | | | If you need an Enterprise Level Access Control |
| door solutions that are programmed through a keypad | | | | System, I highly recommend that you perform your |
| or a remote software package. Some of the higher | | | | due diligence on both the manufacturer and the |
| end burglar alarm systems can also control access on | | | | security companies that you are considering. Make |
| up to 4 doors. | | | | sure that you choose a reputable Security Company |
| These smaller systems provide fully controlled access | | | | or a Systems Integrator that has a strong computer |
| to individuals based on the door, the date and the time. | | | | networking background to perform and support the |
| Some of them allow you to hook up a form feed dot | | | | installation. Ask for several references of projects of a |
| matrix printer directly to the controller in order to get | | | | similar size and scope from both the manufacturer and |
| reports. Most of these systems are limited to less than | | | | the Systems Integrator. Interview each reference |
| 4 doors and a couple of hundred users/credentials. | | | | thoroughly before you make a purchasing decision. |
| Many people who use the 1-4 door systems will | | | | You will thank me later! |
| usually program cards to work 24 hours a day | | | | |