Category: About Technology

One Door at a Time Access Control

One of the nice things about technology is that devices generally do more things and become easier to use as time goes by.  This has certainly been true with access control systems. The first door access control systems required a skilled technician to install the system. There was quite a lot of complex wiring from each door reader to the main controller box. The new IP Reader-Controllers connect to the network and are intelligent. One of the most significant advantages is the ability to install one door at a time.

This article reviews the incremental capability of these new IP access control systems.

Continue reading “Scalable Door Access Control”

Digital Audio and Your Security System

Just like old-time movies had no sound, the first surveillance cameras were just video.  Adding sound to the movies provided that additional feeling of reality to their entertainment.  Adding sound to security systems increased our safety.  The sound provided better clues about what we were seeing. For example, if we saw two people together, we would react differently if we heard laughing or yelling. 

Audio technology provides a flexible enhancement to security. From speakers attached to cameras to paging systems and apartment intercoms, this article reviews the integration of audio into a security system.

Continue reading “Camera, Sound, Action on the Network”

How to Install Your IP Camera System for Best Surveillance Coverage

You only need one blind spot to miss the critical video of someone taking your merchandise, a person falling, someone stealing a car or the wrong person in the computer room. Therefore, selecting the right IP cameras and their location is an essential part of providing a secure and safe environment.

This article helps you understand how to get the best coverage for your IP camera system. It describes how to develop your site survey, select the correct cameras, resolution, lens, and location.

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Door Access Control and How to Configure the Electric Lock

Configuring the electric lock is an essential part of your access control system installation. The electric lock can be configured for Fail-safe or Fail-secure. What is better? The answer is not that simple. Here are some of the frequently asked questions that we received. The answers will help you decide how to configure your door access control system.

Continue reading “Access Control Locks FAQ – Fail-Secure or Fail-Safe”

Integration of Access Control, IP Cameras, and IP Paging

IP security devices are network-attached appliances such as IP cameras, IP door access control, IP intercoms, and paging. These security devices communicate using IP protocols and share the network with computers, printers, scanners, NVRs, and other network-attached devices.

When we provide interaction or cooperation between two or more devices or agents, we produce a combined effect more significant than the sum of their parts. That’s synergy. And that’s what we get when we integrate IP camera systems, IP door access control systems, and paging and intercom systems. We provide increased security. This article discusses how these three IP security systems work together.

Continue reading “IP Physical Security Systems”

Why Purchase an IP Access Control System?

When we need to make an access control purchasing decision, we are motivated by many different factors. Maybe we recognize that there are increasing threats to the organization, or maybe it’s because something already happened.  Maybe there was an intruder, or an unauthorized person entered the computer room, or maybe some inventory was stolen from the warehouse.

This article describes some of the benefits of IP access control systems and why it is a justifiable investment.

Continue reading “Benefits of a Door Access Control System”

The Best Mass Emergency Notification System

A Mass Emergency Notification System is a communication system that alerts people to a dangerous situation. The system includes software and hardware and uses multiple communication channels to provide the information necessary to facilitate an appropriate response and action to a situation that could be life-threatening. Though mass notification systems were created for time-sensitive emergencies, they can also be used to provide general information that can help manage large organizations.

The best notification systems are easy to use and broadcast timely alerts to the right set of people depending on the emergency.

This article reviews mass notification systems. It will help you make the right choice.

Continue reading “Mass Emergency Notification Product Comparison”

Comparison of Door Access Systems

A Door Access Control System consists of an electronic door reader, the door access controller, electric lock, and access control management software. Both the residential and commercial access control systems have all the same components, yet they have very different capabilities.

This article compares the difference between commercial enterprise and residential access control systems.

Continue reading “Door Access Control – Commercial Versus Residential Systems”

The Light at the End of the Tunnel and Access Control is More Essential than Ever

It was a year of challenges, isolation, and changes. The very fabric of business was altered. The need for security had been growing over the last few years, but when COVID hit, access control became more important.  Since many people were working from home, empty office spaces needed to be protected. Visitors needed to be monitored, and temperature screening became essential.  Now that we see the light at the end of the tunnel, we realize that many of the access control technologies used last year will be with us in the future.

This article describes how the world changed during the Pandemic and how many things have been altered forever. 

Continue reading “Door Access Control – After the Pandemic”

 IP Camera Selection Guide for Your Surveillance System

There are many IP cameras available. Some are very inexpensive, while others cost a lot. Why the price difference? It mainly depends on the performance and quality.  The first thing to consider is what you want to accomplish, and then use the following guide to select the right IP camera.

This article describes what IP camera to consider for each type of application. It suggests cameras from the top-rated brand’s Axis and Hanwha. There are less expensive brands such as Hikvision and Dahua, but they are on the US restricted list of Chinese cameras.

Continue reading “The Best IP camera for Your Application”