Integrators are finding that their customers are more interested in intercoms today than ever, because having an IP backbone gives them mobility and interactivity features, and video offers greater situational awareness.
The days of carting around a jumble of keys are coming to a close, thanks to new technology for home access controls in the form of keyless, cellphone-enabled locks for residences. Millions of people, all over the world, use the key-and-lock solution for safeguarding their homes every day. But today’s keys have gone electric, thanks to the evolution of smartphone.
For decades smart cards and biometrics have been part of the access credentialing conversation. More recently, the potential of mobile credentials on a phone have entered the discussion. But in an industry that has been historically slow to move off the entrenched platforms of proximity or even mag stripe, these discussions have often revolved around the question, ‘What’s next?’ rather than, ‘What’s happening now?’
Kaba Access and Data System Americas, Winston-Salem, N.C., acquired Keyscan Inc., Whitby, Canada, a specialist in innovative, wired access control solutions.
Vanderbilt Industries, Parsippany, N.J. announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Siemens’ Security Products business, part of the Siemens’ Building Technologies Division, Frankfurt.
HID Global®, Austin, a provider of secure identity solutions, announced completion of an access control pilot at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., that has validated the use of smartphones as a convenient and compelling new way to open doors with a “tap” or using the company’s patented “Twist and Go” gesture technology for opening doors and gates from a distance.
Pelco by Schneider Electric, Clovis, Calif., announced new capabilities to its Sarix™ Enhanced Range with SureVision™ 2.0. The Enhanced Range are Pelco’s high end cameras in their trusted line of Sarix fixed IP cameras, which also includes the Sarix Professional Range and Sarix Value Range.
SDM talks to four experienced integrators about the future of convergence, how integrators can profit from it, and what will actually drive growth of the market.
For the past several years, talk about converging physical and logical access control has been mostly just that — talk. Budget constraints, perceived lack of need and an absence of cohesive, affordable solutions have made it difficult for integrators to find much traction in this market.