In the “old days” — five years ago in technology time — security and particularly CCTV were implemented using traditional architectures. If an end user wanted IP video, the integrator would connect the cameras to the IT back plane with CAT5 or CAT6 cabling, and run the images through the server to a storage unit. The customer had to pay for not only the cameras, but the server, upkeep to the server, encryption algorithms and usually an IT specialist to maintain it all.
When it comes to perimeter security, clients’ needs vary widely — sometimes within the same project. There is definitely no single approach that works for all. However, certain trends do seem to be emerging. Biometric technology appears to be truly coming into its own as a single solution, in many cases without being attached to cards at all. Other solid approaches include video analytics, security fencing, and an upgraded layered approach to security that takes into account more systems processes than ever before.
In the past, integrators and dealers installing an electronic access control stuck to what they knew — electronics — and subcontracted a locksmith to deal with the “hardware” component. Technology, economics and business motivations are changing that, however. More than ever it makes sound business sense in certain cases to take on the complete installation, which means delving into the world of locks. While electric strikes and magnetic locks also need their own knowledge base, electrified locks are one of the most common, and most tricky for the newcomer, to install properly. The good news is that once you get familiar with how to do it, they are pretty simple to do.
Developing and advocating security industry standards have always been a big part of what the Security Industry Association (SIA) is all about. But we realize that we are not alone in these efforts, and many other organizations are working on helpful industry standards that may parallel or even contradict our efforts. This needs to change.
Today’s access control users want things to operate more simply. Manufacturers are responding by using the most up-to-date technology available, enabling features to be easier.
Austerity breeds creativity. The economic pinch has informed the choices of end users in all kinds of security, particularly in the past year. The access control customer today is better educated and more tech savvy. The consumer world has taught them that technology can help them not only do more with less, but do it more smoothly, efficiently and cost-effectively than ever before.
Visitor management systems today are much more than just a name tag or a phone call. The most sophisticated ones can integrate with police databases, along with a host of other security systems, and automatically time out at a user-specified date or time of day. But even the “simple” systems do more than just token security. By cross-checking with departments and having someone actually greet and take information from the visitor, incidents can be averted and crimes of opportunity cut way down.
In an age in which tech-savvy consumers have come to expect smarter, better and more efficient technology and quick-to-market products, the security industry is sometimes at a disadvantage. The combination of the economic downturn and slower-than-expected adoption of new technologies recently has hampered R&D efforts as well as integrators’ and dealers’ ability to sell upgraded systems as end users cling to what they have and make do with last year’s (or in some cases, last decade’s) technology.
How do dealers really feel about the distributors that sell them their products? The relationship between the dealer and distributor can be critical to a successful sale and installation, and the ideal situation is to have distributor partners that really understand the dealer’s business and how to help him build and keep customers.
Proximity technology is the giant of the access control industry. It is so prevalent that it has trickled down to almost every type of application and has an enormous installed base.
How would you define wireless access control? Is it wireless at the reader, wireless at the panel, or both? Systems integrators use different types of wireless technology to get a perfect fit.