Access Control

“Access control offers a secure, convenient, flexible and cost effective way of controlling who has access to your building and when that access is allowed. Access control gives organisations the security they need.”

Choosing an access control system is an important financial decision for most companies. The cost is of course important, but the system also needs to match your requirements and be completely reliable.

Access control enables you to control who has access to your building.

Locks and keys also allow you to secure your building, but when keys are lost or stolen, the inconvenience and expense of changing locks and re-issuing keys can be considerable. Keys may also be copied, creating even more security risks.

 

All businesses, whether small, medium or large, have assets that need to be protected from theft. There is also the issue of protecting staff and their property. It is common in buildings that are secured by locks and keys for doors to be left unlocked all day. This opens up the possibility of opportunist theft and malicious damage.
Electronic access control provides the most efficient and convenient way of securing your building and assets. Installing an access control system means that you will never have to change a lock again. Tokens are issued to allow access through the controlled doors, and are easily barred from the system if they are lost, stolen or just not returned by someone who leaves your company. Barred tokens will not allow access through the controlled doors.

 

Once an access control system is installed, all doors controlled by the system will automatically lock when the door is closed. Anyone without a PIN or access token is unable to enter. If necessary, doors may be set to unlock during a designated time frame.
Access control can also offer flexible control over users’ access rights. For example, all staff can gain access through the main door of a building, but access to internal areas may be restricted to those who have a specific need to be there. Access may also be restricted by time, only granting access to particular users at certain times of day or night.

There are two different type of Access Control – Stand-Alone Systems & Online or PC-Based Systems.

Which System is best for us?

1. Standalone access control.

This type of system may be used to control access on one or many independent doors in a building. Access is gained by using a numeric code, or PIN with a keypad, or by presenting a proximity or magstripe token, depending on which type of reader is fitted.

 

These systems are programmed at each door. If tokens need to be barred or codes changed, this action must be completed at every door on the system.

Typical applications:

  • Small business premises
  • Sports clubs
  • Storage units
  • Any small or medium sized site requiring access control

“Standalone systems are great for smaller sites with a relatively small number of users, token management is simple, and the system can be extended easily as your requirements change.”

2. PC based access control.

Referred to as 'PC based' or 'Networked' access control, these systems may be used to control one or many doors in a building. Access is gained by using a numeric code, or PIN with a keypad, by presenting a proximity or magstripe token or by 'possession' with hands free tokens depending on which type of reader is fitted.
PC based access control offers central control, via a network.

 

This means that commands given at the PC are sent to each of the doors. A token can be barred from all of the doors instantly. Another benefit of this type of system is flexible control, allowing you to grant different permissions for individuals or groups of users.
Reports may also be generated to see who went where and when. Many systems allow control of additional buildings via existing LAN/WAN. PC based systems are increasingly being used to control other services within buildings, for example intruder alarms, fire doors, lifts and lighting.

Typical applications:

  • Small/medium premises
  • Large corporate premises
  • Multiple-site premises
  • Government buildings
  • Universities
  • Sports clubs
  • Car parks

“PC based systems are great for medium to large sites as they make managing large numbers of doors and users easy. The system can be extended very easily, and advanced features such as event reporting and integration with CCTV and other systems make such a system much more than just a replacement for a bunch of keys.”


For more information please contact us.