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Integrated security solution

Integration is an essential component of an access control solution.

Integration is central to the success and future sustainability of security systems. The ability of access control solutions to seamlessly work with surveillance and building management systems is so important it cannot be overemphasised.

According to Zane Greeff, product director at Elvey, the need to be able to react quickly and effectively to any incident or suspicious activity has never been more important. By providing a comprehensive, fully interactive solution which takes full advantage of the latest advances in technology, Elvey’s range of Tyco products allows it to equip security personnel with an extremely powerful tool to protect people, property and assets.

He points out that with the ongoing massive investment in new buildings as well as infrastructure projects across Africa, Tyco (the security products division of Johnson Controls) understands that many end users are looking to achieve much more from their security systems.

“Users expect systems to work in harmony, as well as integrate with building management systems (BMS) and other non-security systems as part of a smart building solution. The Tyco range delivers deep integration between its Kantech access control, DSC intruder and Exacq video management product ranges, thus providing end users with the opportunity to gain maximum advantage from their investment in an electronic security system.”

One of the particularly user friendly aspects of Tyco’s complete security solution is that operators can choose the graphical user interface (GUI) display which is most relevant to their requirements. For example, operators have the option of using the Exacq Video Management Software (VMS) front-end display if video surveillance of a site or building is the main objective. This, as you would expect, is primarily about providing an efficient method of monitoring live and recorded images, but it also interacts and reacts to any intruder alarm or access control incidents.

The same applies to the Kantech access control management front end, which is predominantly involved in reporting access control activity and is also able to trigger the display of video related to access control activity. In addition, operators are able to call on the video being captured by nearby cameras if there is a need to visually verify what may be happening at, for example, a building or car park entry access point.

In the cloud

Tyco Cloud is the umbrella name for a broad range of cloud services that enable users to only invest in what they need right now and then instantly scale up or down if their requirements change. “Implementation will no longer be a concern when software applications are updated, as they will be immediately available in the cloud and waiting to be used from any PC, laptop or mobile device on the network,” says Greeff.

Cloud-based access control systems will be able to take advantage of the greater mobility and interoperability offered by the cloud. An example of this is Hattrix, which encompasses a hosted access control solution, a fully managed solution, or a hybrid approach, where end users can employ different access control services to meet their specific needs.

Hattrix is supported by the EntraPass Web platform and EntraPass Go mobile App, both of which are designed to enhance the user experience by delivering remote and convenient real-time access to manage common security tasks. These include locking/unlocking doors, managing cards and schedules, requesting reports, viewing live video, and monitoring events by floor plan. Elvey company, Commercial ICT, is responsible for providing the local servers to host this solution.

VideoEdge integration with EntraPass Go mobile app

The EntraPass Go mobile app with American Dynamics VideoEdge software enables remote management of access control, video and intrusion tasks for on-the-go security system operation from a mobile device.

The app allows users to manage and create cards, lock and unlock doors, view live video, arm and disarm intrusion partitions and request reports. The VideoEdge platform improves the efficiency of security personnel and daily business operations by creating powerful video management solutions.

ioSmart card readers and cards

Based on MIFARE Plus, Kantech’s ioSmart card readers provide a high level of security by enabling end-to-end encryption between the credentials and the EntraPass access control software. The readers also give customers an easy and powerful way to move from proximity cards to advanced smartcard technology, whether they are using the Kantech ioProx solution or another proximity system. Multi-technology readers provide the option to read both proximity and smartcards, allowing the customers to migrate at their own pace.

ioSmart smartcard readers include an LED status bar that clearly indicates various access conditions to the user. There are also models available with integrated backlit, capacitive keypad support for dual factor authentication, combining contactless card presentation with a PIN. Since the keypad relies on the electrical properties of a human body to detect when and where on the keypad a user touches, a capacitive touchscreen can be controlled with a simple touch with a human finger to move through the various number sequences for a PIN.

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