Category: About Technology

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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 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.

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The Best IP Camera Systems

An IP Camera System is a set of cameras and software that provide video surveillance. IP camera systems usually include many IP cameras that are selected depending on what areas they need to view. These network-attached cameras can be dome, bullet, PTZ, or panoramic IP cameras. The system also includes a video recording system such as video management software (VMS) or Network Video Recorders (NVR). All the components connect to the local area network.

This article provides information to help you select the right IP camera system.

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Review of Audio and Video Intercoms

There are a variety of network-attached intercoms. Some connect to a central computer, while others connect to smartphone apps. The new IP intercoms use your network infrastructure, are powered over Ethernet (PoE), include IP cameras, and have great features and functions that were never available with the old analog intercoms. They can open doors, integrate with IP camera systems and door access control systems to provide a complete security system.

In general, IP intercoms consist of an audio amplifier, microphone, I/O connections, a special-purpose computer, and an interface to the network. This article reviews the different models of IP intercoms and how they can be used.

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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.

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.

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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.

Continue reading “The Evolution of the PTZ Camera”