Access Control Systems

Proximity

Proximity card readers are the mainstay of access control today. Gone are the slot readers of the past which required the insertion of a credential (card) in order to read the information on the card. Proximity cards can work from a short distance from the card reader, and many can even work without removing the from a wallet or purse first, thus being very convenient for the users. The readers can be concealed behind panels or glass, thus practically eliminating the chance of the hardware being vandalized. If you can't find it, you can't tamper with it!

Keypads

Keypads are a tempting way to provide multi-user access to an entrance door due to the fact that separate credentials are not required (a numeric code is used instead) and thus the system cost is reduced. You should, however, consider these facts: 1. A user can give his code to others without your knowledge - and he still has his code to use whenever he wishes. 2. Entry codes tend to get written down somewhere so that they will not be forgotten - hopefully that place will not be on the wall beside the door! 3. The more users that you have, the more valid codes that must exist, and the greater the chances that a code could be "guessed" to enter the door. 4. Users tend to get careless and forget to conceal the keypad with their body when entering the code - someone could be watching from behind to get your code - for that matter the code could even be viewed by a cctv camera if there is one covering the entrance.

Barcode

Barcode technology is generally used where a large number of credentials are necessary, and the security of the credential is secondary to the need for limited access to an area at minimal cost. Gated communities and parking facilities fit this scenario best. In its simplest form, the barcode could potentially be duplicated on a copying machine and used on such a system, but parking applications tend to have a highly reflective material for the barcode that is attached to the car side window, and a barcode copy on paper would not be readable by the laser scanning device. Also, the barcodes can be obscured by a dark overlay readable by a laser but not easily copied or duplicated.

Biometrics

Biometric readers are now becoming practcal for use in everyday access, and are found in many types of systems today. Some of the choices available include fingerprint readers, retina scan, hand geometry, facial recognition, voice recognition and more. Why use a biometric device when cards will work? Well, you always have your biometric information with you, you cannot lose it, and you cannot give it to someone else. Management does not have to purchase cards or keys, and does not have to spend the time and expense of distributing them to the users.

Transmitters

Wireless transmitters are found primarily where long reading distances are needed, such as entrances to gated communities. These systems provide for "install and forget" simplicity for the users, but of course are more expensive than other solutions that are available.