Making Better Use of Your Access Control System

Posted in Products, Security Tips
Image of a man holding a phone with the Sensor Access logo - making better use of access control systems

 

Within an access control system, there are often many features and capabilities which are overlooked or that people are unaware of. These features can often increase the security and efficiency of the system. Below are a couple example features which can be used in our GuardPoint Pro system.

Automatic-Emailing

One of the many benefits of our GuardPoint Pro software is its versatile capacity to adapt to various different needs and requirements. There are many features within our access control solutions which often get overlooked, such as our auto-emailing feature.

Key Benefits:

  • Would you like to be notified when a specific person arrives in your building? Our access control software allows you to send emails triggered by any type of transaction. For instance: a visitor arrives and an email is sent to a specific person to notify them.
  • Wouldn’t it be useful to have your access control report emailed directly to you? Many different types of reports in GuardPoint Pro can be automatically generated. For example: a list of people in the building could be sent to you every morning.
  • Do you wish to be immediately notified straight to your phone when an alarm occurs? By using an email-to-SMS service, notifications can be sent directly to your phone, informing you on specific alarm and access events.

Instructions on setting up auto-emailing in GuardPoint Pro can be found here


Automatic Inhibition

Automatic inhibition is also a useful feature on big and busy systems. If a card has not been used for a certain period of time, it will automatically become invalid after a set number of days. This feature is useful as it will automatically block cards that have been lost, yet unreported, to the administrator. This feature is especially useful on diverse systems where it can sometimes be difficult to tell whether employees still exist or have left the company etc. This avoids human error on managing the live card population, therefore increasing the security of the system.

 

Man on computer using GuardPoint Pro - making better use of your access control system
Figure 1: image showing utilisation of our GuardPoint Pro software

For further information on the features above, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you

Sensor Integration with Thyssen Lifts

Posted in Case Studies, Events, News, Products

Image of men walking down a corridor adjacent to lifts, with the Sensor and Thyssen logos seen at the bottom of the image

Sensor Access has developed a way of integrating the new generation of smart lifts made by Thyssen. The Thyssen lifts incorporate a new feature called destination control. Lift destination control systems offer improvements that can help speed up travel times and improve efficiency.


How it works

Our new development incorporates access control integration –  customers can restrict access to the cardholder via time schedules and particular floors or destinations. For example: one user can be assigned access to only the ground floor and third floor from Monday to Friday. The operation is such that the cardholder swipes their card on the lift reader which in turn displays only the floors the user has been granted access to on the lift floor selection panel.


The Operation in GuardPoint Pro

To operate the Thyssen Lift Integration, the badge holder swipes a badge at the access control reader located outside of the lifts. The user then chooses their desired destination on the input panel from the displayed list of authorised floors. They are then directed to a lift based on availability, efficiency of the system and grouping of people travelling to the same level. The lift then takes the user to their destination without the user having to touch any other button.

 

Figure 1: image of GuardPoint Pro and Thyssen software compatibility

There is now a new option of choosing Thyssen lifts when selecting a lift controller in GuardPointPro.


Case Study: Paris 

This integration with smart lifts is operational in a 10-floor office building in the centre of Paris. This site is equipped with five lifts from the Thyssen company. There are 20 Thyssen destination selectors equipped with badge readers, two on each floor.


Find out more

If you require any further information on the Thyssen software integration or wish to find out more, please contact us on either of the following:

Tel: +44 (0)1273 242355

Email: sales@sensoraccess.co.uk

GuardPoint Pro Advanced Features – Mantrap

Posted in Products, Security Tips

Image of three lifts, occupied by two men in a lobby. The Sensor Access and GuardPoint Pro logos are located at the bottom of the image too

A mantrap is an access control feature which provides high security measures for a designated area with two or more doors. Mantraps are used in secure areas to effectively detain unauthorized personnel. This design is typical of high security locations such as banks and hospitals.

In simple: a mantrap requires personnel to enter through the first door of the assigned location – while the other doors remain closed – before they are granted access at the second door.


Key Benefits 

  • Difficulty of forcibly gaining entry
  • Evaluates personnel in the mantrap before releasing them through the second door
  • Allows entry of only one person at a time
  • Helps to prevent tail gating

How it works 

A mantrap consists of two or more doors – a perimeter door and an interior door closest to the protected area. The perimeter door and the interior door must be equipped with locks, door sensors, and readers. Access is granted either through the reader or through its RTX button, and the door status is given by the defined door contact. Second access cannot be granted from the reader until the previous door is opened and then closed. This security process allows only one single door to be open at a time, so once access has been granted to the first door, the outside door remains locked.

Image showing a diagram of an example mantrap, demonstrating 3 selected doors connected through the mantrap software

Figure 1: image of an example mantrap


Set-up

The mantrap feature is standard in all versions of the GuardPoint Pro Software. A standard door controller which supports two or more doors is all that is required, no additional hardware needed. GuardPoint Pro also has the flexibility of harbouring different variations of the standard mantrap. For instance the second door can automatically open after the first door is closed or the second door could require additional acknowledgement from an input before opening.


Find Out More

If you have a mantrap requirement or wish to find out more please contact us on either of the following:

Tel:  +44 (0)1273 242355

Email: sales@sensoraccess.co.uk

SALTO Software Integration with GuardPoint Pro

Posted in News, Solutions

Image showing a computer using the GuardPoint Pro software next to a door commonly used to read cards for access. Included at the bottom of the image are the Sensor Access and SALTO logos

Here at Sensor Access, we have developed a way to sync the SALTO database with our GuardPoint Pro database. This will allow our customers to have both systems managed from one piece of software as well as the ability to authorise SALTO and Sensor Access control systems to co-exist smoothly on the same site.

SALTO provides the first stand-alone, battery-powered electronic lock system in access control, offering a wire-free access control solution that is an ideal replacement for mechanical locks.


How does it work?

Using the latest version of GuardPoint Pro, the database produces a table that documents every change that is made in the cardholder screen. The SALTO software is then able to connect to the GuardPoint Pro database and read the data within the table at any given time.

When creating/deleting a cardholder or making any changes in the below cardholder fields, both systems are updated in real time. These fields consist of:

  • First name
  • Last name
  • Access group list (from GuardPoint Pro cardholder screen)
  • Card code (the code of the cardholder’s card in GuardPoint Pro badge screen)

Advantages

  • Simple to install – wire free
  • Enrol a new user or replace a lost key in seconds
  • Cost-effective – save buying lost key replacements

Sensor’s Software Integration with Mitsubishi Lifts

Posted in News, Solutions

The Sensor Access Integration with Mitsubishi Lifts adds higher security and destination control to your building. The integration means that you can restrict access to the cardholder via time schedules and particular floors or destinations.
For example: one user can be assigned access to only the ground floor and 3rd floor from Monday to Friday.
The operation is such that the cardholder swipes their card on the lift reader which in turn displays only the floors the user has been granted access to on the lift floor selection panel.


How does it work?

In this integration, our GuardPoint Pro software sends a command directly from the Sensor control panel to the Mitsubishi lift controller. This replaces the conventional method of using relay outputs wired to inputs between the two panels. The Sensor controller requires a second RS485 port which is linked directly to the lift controller panel.


The Operation in GuardPoint Pro

In the GuardPoint Pro controller screen, users select the ‘Mitsubishi’ checkbox as the controller’s lift type. Then for each reader, they choose which floors to access and which lift doors to open (front and/or back).

 

Image of a computer displaying the GuardPoint Pro software that is compatible with Mitsubishi software

Figure 1: image of GuardPoint Pro and Mitsubishi software compatibility


Case Study: Chengdu Merchant Bank, China 

Our Mitsubishi lift integration is currently being used at the Financial Service Center of the Chengdu Merchant Bank. The installation supervises 400+ doors and 34 lifts. There are currently 4000 active cardholders with the possibility to expand to 10,000.

For further information on Mitsubishi Lift Integration, please contact us

What to Expect from Sensor Access in 2017

Posted in Events, News, Products

Brand new GuardPoint software

GuardPoint 10 is a 2017 complete redesign of GuardPoint Pro which seamlessly unites access, alarm and video into one platform meanwhile providing an operator friendly solution and user experience.

Before we release GP10, we are in the process of asking the opinions of our customers on the provided two options, asking for the preferable method of either modular licensing or layered licensing. See previous post for more details

For further information of GuardPoint 10 please click the link below to download the brochure:

Sensor Access Technology GuardPoint 10 Brochure

 

Print screen images of Sensor Access' new GuardPoint 10 software for customers to expect in 2017
Figure 1: image of the new GP10 Software

New release of VantagePoint software with 2 new controller types

As part of our ongoing development of VantagePoint, we will be releasing a new version of its software as of 2017. Customers should expect this to feature various operational improvements as well as support the new 2 door and 8 door controllers

The new controllers will allow VantagePoint to stay a cost effective solution for all sizes of site installation. Both controller types will have 100,000 cardholder capacities as well as an on-board web interface paving the way for simple systems to be setup, without the need for customers to install any additional software

Image showing print screens of three computers displaying the new updated features of VantagePoint for customers to expect in 2017
Figure 1: image of the new VantagePoint software

New GuardPoint 10 License Proposal

Posted in News

Image of the GuardPoint 10 logo - applicable to our new license software process

Here at Sensor we have been working hard on our next generation of GuardPoint Software – GuardPoint10. We value your opinions as our customers and would like to take into consideration your feedback on how you think the new software should be licensed

We are proposing two options:

Option 1: Modular License 

We currently license GPP allowing bolt-on modules as a site expands

For example you would purchase GuardPointPro 10-16 [GPP license allowing up to 16 readers]

If you wanted to add a ‘badge printing ability’ or a ‘workstation client’, you would purchase the relevant additional module

Option 2: Layered License 

This offers 3 levels of functionality: Gold, Silver and Bronze levels

Each level contains set modules with the final level containing all the modules. For example:

Gold: GPP10 – 512 with SQL, badge printing, 4 x workstations, graphics plus, video plus, TA+ ect.

Silver: GPP10 – 256 with SQL, badge printing, 2 x workstations and TA+

Bronze: an entry level system with SQL, badge printing and TA


We really value your opinions and would appreciate any feedback or ideas you may have regarding our proposed licensing methods. Please email us with your suggestions at brittany@sensoraccess.co.uk

To download the GuardPoint10 introductory brochure, please click the link below:

Sensor Access Technology GuardPoint 10 Brochure

 

White Collar Boxing 2016 Charity Event – Robert Owen

Posted in Events, News

Sensor Access is proud to support Robert Owen in a white collar boxing event to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Robert Owen (Technical Director/Trainer) will be flying the flag for Sensor in a boxing match on the 11th of December at the Grand Hotel, Brighton.

Robert boxing pose with glove pointing towards the screen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research. They are battling cancer on all fronts, consistently trying to find new prevention, diagnosis and treatment facilities to save more lives. Being entirely funding by the general public, they require all our help to ensure more people beat cancer!

To keep up to date on Robert’s progress and offer any tips on how to not get knocked out – check out the companies Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/SensorAccess

And if you would like to sponsor Robert in raising money for cancer research, please follow the link below. Any donation is appreciated:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/RobertOwenBoxing