About Technology Archives

Door Access Control and Visitor Management Integration

Posted on February 12, 2021February 12, 2021 by Bob Mesnik

Access Control systems allow registered people to enter a specific door at a pre-determined schedule.

Visitor management systems control people who are not registered. Together they provide increased safety and security.

Access Control and Visitor Management Integration

The combination of access control, temperature scanning, contact tracing, and access to control databases has increased security and health. This article reviews the new technology advances in visitor management and the integration of door access control and other technologies.

The Evolution of the PTZ Camera

Posted on January 31, 2021February 1, 2021 by Bob Mesnik

Pan, Tilt Zoom Cameras Provide Increased Capability

We have come a long way since the first pan, tilt, zoom (PTZ) cameras. The first PTZ cameras were relatively primitive. These early cameras shared the technology with television cameras and used vidicon vacuum tubes and other analog components to capture the video.

This article describes the evolution of the PTZ cameras from coax connected analog cameras to network-attached digital cameras with much greater capability.

The Best Apartment Intercoms

Posted on January 22, 2021January 24, 2021 by Bob Mesnik

IP Apartment Intercoms Review

The latest IP apartment intercoms use wireless networks to communicate with the tenant. The new wireless multi-tenant intercoms allow you to contact the resident’s smartphone or standard phone to request entry into the building. The lobby intercom touchscreen display provides a list of all the tenants in the building.

This article provides critical features and functions of the best apartment intercom systems.

Technology Review of 2020

Posted on December 31, 2020January 24, 2021 by Bob Mesnik

Is there anything nice we can say about 2020? Not much except maybe, I don’t think murder hornets killed anyone. It certainly was a challenging year, and we are all happy to say goodbye.

It was a year of the pandemic and of science finding vaccines in record-breaking time. It was a year where we worked at home and discovered we could do this anywhere in the world. It caused an upheaval in the real estate market as we moved out of big cities and corporations downsized. SpaceX changed how we went to space, and engineers developed face recognition panels that checked our temperature as we entered the building.

This article reviews some of the technology for the security and surveillance market introduced in 2020.

Comparison of Commercial IP Camera Systems and Home Cameras

Posted on December 27, 2020December 28, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

Comparison of IP Camera Systems

What’s the difference between a home surveillance camera and a commercial IP camera system used in schools, office buildings, and hospitals?

Home IP Cameras cost between $20 and $100, while the professional IP cameras range from $150 to over $2,000. There is a difference. This article compares the capability you should expect from a home camera versus a commercial surveillance IP camera system.

IP Paging Systems Provide Advanced Functionality

Posted on December 8, 2020December 24, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

This is Not Your Father’s Paging System

Paging systems have changed over the years. Remember the old days when the principal would make announcements on that old PA system. You were lucky to hear anything that was said.

The principal had a microphone attached to a clunky amplifier. It had a large knob that adjusted the volume. All the speakers were wired to this central amplifier. Many of these old paging systems have reached end-of-life, and people are looking for replacements.

The world of paging systems has changed. Now, it’s all digital. This evolution has made paging systems much simpler to install and provide new functions that were not available in the older systems.

Access Control Systems Good Practices

Posted on December 1, 2020December 24, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

Installation Practices for Door Access Control Systems

There are several things to consider when selecting and installing a door access control system.

These safer practices increase the overall security of the system.

System security starts with the correct type of door-reader and secure wiring. It requires the right electric lock and an exit methodology for maglocks. It is also essential to select the right management software and additional security and safety features.

Access Control Enhanced With Intercoms

Posted on October 30, 2020December 7, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

How to Control Visitors

An access control system allows people with a credential to enter, but what happens when a visitor comes to the door? One easy way to handle the visitor is to add an IP intercom. An IP camera, and some additional software, can be added to provide a safe way to allow visitors to enter. This article describes how you can enhance your access control system.

How a Power Supply Works

Posted on October 9, 2020December 28, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

Access Control, IP Cameras, and Intercoms Need Power Supplies

Designing a power supply is one of the first electrical engineering tasks I did in college. I remember those days. We learned many things, such as don’t drink a lot of beer before the lab class. Don’t put your finger in the electric socket. Always try to guess what’s on the test. And, stay away from courses about antennas because they were terrifying.

Power supplies are in computers, IP cameras, access control systems, IP paging, and intercoms. It is one of the most underrated components of a computer system. When you specify a computer, you think about the processor speed, the memory, storage, and display card. The power supply is never considered. Of course, if it fails, none of the other components will work. Sometimes it’s the most unsophisticated part of the system that is the most important. Does anyone remember the old joke about the argument between the various parts of the body*?

This article describes how a power supply works and some things you should consider when purchasing a power supply.

Integrating Access Control and Temperature Screening

Posted on September 27, 2020September 29, 2020 by Bob Mesnik

How to Integrate Temperature Scanning Biometrics with Access Control systems

Access control systems can be enhanced to increase safety by adding biometric (face and Palm) access credentials, temperature scanning, and mask detection. The biometric temperature scanning panels can be used by themselves or added to existing access control systems.

Integrating Access Control and Temperature Scanning

Why add biometric access control? Mostly because it provides better security. A card credential can be stolen, forgotten, or even copied. Even though my mother told me that I could lose my head if it weren’t attached to my shoulders, I’m sure that I will have my head (and face) when I get to work. The face recognition or palm readers provide a very secure way to provide identification. One other thing about biometrics is that you don’t have to purchase cards or keyfobs for all the people in your organization. A typical card credential can cost over $3/credential, so if you have 500 people in the organization, it can save you money.