Common Questions and Answers

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CARD ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS
CARDS - READERS - ACCESSORIES

BRANDS: HID, Indala, Northern Computers, Keyscan, Intelli-M, Rutherford Controls, Honeywell, ST Smart, Zeit Control, NXP
PRODUCTS: access cards, access control panels, card readers, fingerprint readers, EXIT switches, REX detectors, power supplies, keypads, communication adapters, proximity cards, mag stripe, Wiegand cards, iCLASS, MIFARE, DESFire, 125kHz prox, smart cards

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Most Common Questions and Answers about Electronic Access Control

ONE DOOR ACCESS CONTROL

Q:
I have a single door application where I need restricted access to one area. I don't want connection to PC, I don't need any reports from the system, unit must be easily installed, weatherproof, capacity must be more than 500 cards for flexibility, must be economically priced, easily programmable, must use proximity reader technology, small in size, low current drain, must have some kind of visual and audio indicators, must have a good warranty and be made by reputable company??

A:
EntryProx by HID is ideal product for you. Check our select panel section, find out about price and order one today! EntryProx is standalone proximity card access controller. It is easy to install and use. There are more single door controllers there.

Q:
I am afraid I will not know how to program system like that?

A:
EntryProx is easily programmable. By issuing simple numeric commands it is possible to enroll or disable access cards.

2 OR MORE DOORS ACCESS CONTROL

Q:
I have 2 (4) door application. I need fully featured card access system. I want to use PC to program access panel, I need extensive usage reports and card management features. System might grow bigger and expand to 10-40 maybe more than 100 doors. Panel must be compatible with all kinds of readers including biometrics.

A:
Keyscan CA door controllers or Honeywell N-1000 series panels are ideal for use. There are 2 door, 4 door and even 8 door controllers (Keyscan). They can control anything from 1 to hundreds of door. Panel's memory can have up to 35000 users. There is also event buffer recording every event with capacity of at least 6000 events. Panel can work standalone and connection to PC is needed only when you want to enroll new users, delete cards or get reports from the panel. If you like real time monitoring you can have PC on line with panel(s) giving you instant presentations of usage. Needless to say, all panels have backup battery and will run for hours in case of power disruption. Also there is backup battery for memory contents so panel remains all programming for more than month.

Q:
Sounds nice, but is there enough time slots, we have a lot of groups of workers who will be allowed to certain areas at different times?

A:
There is up to 63 time zones. That means you can assign up to 63 different groups of users to different time slots for controlled access.

Q:
If I have elevator in building can door controller control the elevator?

A:
Yes, it can. With additional relay board(s) it will allow certain users to go to floors they are enabled for.

Q:
What kind of software is needed for N-1000 panels. What about Keyscan and Intelli-M controllers?

A:
Northern Computers software is called Win Pak. It works under Windows 2000 and XP. It is very powerful GUI oriented integrated program and consists of this modules: panels/readers management, card management, card usage (access) reporting, photo badge ID creator, integrated CCTV capabilities, dynamic floor plans, alarms, able to communicate to thousands of panels.

Very similar is System VII for Keyscan card access systems. Intelli-M uses Supervisor Plus software.

Q:
We have Northern Computers card access system and Windows NT or Win 2000, is there anything for us?

A:
There is new software release, Win Pak 2005SE, Windows 2000/XP compatible.

Q:
What will happen in case of power blackout?

A:
Nothing special regarding card access panels. They have backup battery which will run the system for minimum of 3 hours. Could be expanded to more if needed.

Q:
What about door locks?

A:
Each door lock (door strike or mag lock) should have separate power supply cabinet with transformer, power supply and backup battery.

Q:
Is there significant difference between door strike and mag lock?

A:
Besides physical appearance door strike usually needs power (electromagnetic latch) only when it needs to unlock the door while mag lock needs power all the time to hold door locked. In case of total power loss door strike keeps door locked and mag lock unlocks the door.

Q:
Are there any rules about using door strikes and mag locks?

A:
Yes, you have to obey local fire code. Easy way to do it is to let locksmith to install door locks. He is familiar with codes. To be 100% sure, consult local building fire codes.

Q:
What I need to do when I want to expand a system with more doors? What about wiring?

A:
It is simple to expand a system. Just add 2, 4 or 8 reader panel at location you need to and connect communications loop as follows. Wiring is usually twisted shielded pair going from one panel to next one (AWG18-20)
Maximum number of panels is 31 per loop. NX4 panels are LAN ready. Keyscan panels are upgradeable to LAN version.

Q:
What if I need 2 reader panel at one location and 4 reader panel at another?

A:
No problem, system supports mix and match panels. You can install 2 reader panel where you need it and 4 reader where you need that one.

Q:
Do you have to install panel next to the reader (door)?

A:
Not at all! You can go up to 500 ft (150m) from reader to panel using shielded wire.

BIOMETRICS - WHY NOT?

Q:
Why biometrics at all?

A:
If you really want to ensure that only authorized person can access protected area biometrics is only way to do it. Regular card access system allows person with valid card or badge to go in, but badge or card could be stolen or passed from person to another intentionally. You can tie together card access and CCTV camera and every card read would also present picture of the person + live video of person in front of the reader. This slows down flow of users and one person must be there at control station.

Q:
What kind of biometric devices are available?

A:
There are: fingerprint readers, hand readers, retina scanners, iris recognition, signature recognition, facial recognition, voice recognition.

Q:
Which recognition is best or better say most widely used?

A:
While most of listed systems produce good results with little or no errors the truth is that most of them are also impractical, slow, expensive or abusive to user. It boils down to fingerprint and hand readers where cost and user acceptance ensures high security and good performance.

Q:
How can we use biometric readers with card access system?

A:
It is easy to replace any existing card reader with fingerprint or hand reader. They all have Wiegand output which feeds card access panels directly. Popular combination is fingerprint reader with proximity reader built-in. You need to present valid card and finger to go through. That procedure ensures that only authorized person accesses controlled area. To eliminate "tailing" (more people follows one person who successfully opened the door) use electrically controlled turnstile.