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Future proofing access control

07/05/2008

Janine Lewis, sales and marketing director at BPT Security Systems (UK), looks at how you can future proof an access control system

AVOIDING REDUNDANCY….
Every access control system will have a limit on the number of users, which is why it is important that the system is more than adequate not just for current needs, but for future expansion.

The ideal situation is to install a system that is readily expandable with minimal equipment redundancy i.e. you want to retain as much existing kit as possible and simply add to it. The key to this is system flexibility (modular systems are best in this respect) and the quality and power of the controller.

When examining access control systems ask the manufacturer exactly what’s involved in system expansion – what extra equipment is needed, what needs to be replaced, how easy is it to expand in terms of the installation work and what support do they offer? An Impro access control system, for example, can be easily expanded without having to replace equipment already purchased, making it very cost-effective.

ACCESS CONTROL AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Environmental considerations and energy efficiency will be a major factor over the coming years for businesses, yet Building Management Systems (BMS) are often very expensive.

However, some of the more flexible access control systems on the market can act very cost-effectively as a BMS.

For example, the top of the range Impro64+, distributed by BPT in the UK, has the ability to turn electricity on / off to specific appliances or areas. This can provide considerable energy and cost savings when it comes to heating, lighting, office equipment, air conditioning, PCs, factory machinery, etc. This is achieved through zone counting, using sensors (such as PIRs) or long range readers to activate or deactivate power supplies. In the case of the latter, specific areas’ power can be controlled by fitting the access control system with Impro IN and OUT readers at the entrance of each zone, configured to support strict anti-pass back control. The readers’ software counts people entering and exiting the zone; the first person to enter activates the power on; the last person to leave automatically triggers the power off.

Such a method is ideal for larger zoned areas, such as factories.

In the case of sensors, the access control system isn’t restricted to just PIRs – any sensor could, in theory, be linked to the system. An underground car park is an ideal scenario: using the access control system linked to a CO2 detector, the car park fans can be activated / deactivated automatically when a pre determined level of CO2 is reached.

HEALTH AND SAFETY
The ability to turn electricity on / off to specific appliances or areas is not only beneficial to the bottom line, but also has safety implications. For example, if a site has heavy duty machinery that needs licensed operators to use it, it is essential for the management to prevent non licensed personnel trying to operate it. Installing a keypad reader to the machinery linked to the access control system means an employee must then present his / her tag to the reader and punch in their unique PIN code.

The same principle can be applied to dangerous areas where staff are not allowed to enter alone. Dual tagging can be employed to ensure access is only granted when two tags are presented to the reader within a set time frame.

NO MAN IS AN ISLAND…AND NO ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM SHOULD BE EITHER
If built on an open platform, an access control system should be able to integrate not just with third party equipment, but also with third party software, such as Human Resources, Time and Attendance and other security, including CCTV and intruder alarm systems.

Integrating access control with other security systems has been covered extensively and is the most obvious integration aspect, so I won’t cover it here. Combining access control with an organisation’s Time and Attendance software, on the other hand, is not so common, but when achieved is a powerful human resources tool that shows who is on the premises, where they are and for how long.

In the same vein, the system can also be set to require a Reason Code before an employee leaves his area during working hours.

If you are in the position of looking to install a new access control system, then now is an ideal opportunity to take a step back and look at how the system could fit in to that organisation now and, even more importantly, in the future.

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