Keyless Access Control for Offices

Posted in News, Security Tips

The demand for flexible office hours is rapidly growing around the UK due to the massive amount of freelancers and contractors using shared office spaces and working varied hours and shifts. The result of this change in working habits is that offices need to be manned 24/7 or you need to implement an access control solution.

Our Access Control Software combined with our hardware means there are several options to control access to the buildings.

There are various types of key cards that can be used as an alternative to the traditional metal key and will open an electronically-powered door if you swipe it (swipe reader), tap the card on it (proximity reader), or insert it (insert reader).

Here at sensor access, we provide the following options:

  • Proximity cards are contact-less due to a wireless antenna embedded in the plastic. When the card is brought into proximity with a reader the antenna receives an electrical charge which is known as the Wiegand effect.
  • Key fobs look more like plastic keys rather than cards, but they also allow keyless locking and unlocking of coworking spaces using the Wiegand effect.
  • Smart cards possess a microchip, which is difficult to duplicate, so they provide a higher level of security than the magnetic stripe cards. Such cards do not require contact with the reader and are popular among laptop owners and office staff.
  • Biometric Access Control is the most secure option and involves employees registering a fingerprint which is then scanned by the reader to confirm your identity and grant you access.

Once you have decided on the type of Access Control Solution you wish to implement then the next decision is to choose your Access Control Software, we recommend our new Guardpoint 10 software.

For more information on Access Control visit our contact us page

New Version of GuardPointPro released

Posted in News, Products

New Version of GuardPoint released

A new version of GuardPointPro has now been released and is ready for download. This new version has many new features and improvements. Full release notes can be found here

handheld prox reader

Handheld Readers

GuardPointPro to check the validity of badges without the need of a hardwired reader.

Multi-Frame View Photo screen

This new window allows the operator to observe the photo of cardholders using multiple readers all in parallel.

End to End encrypted Mifare DESFire Readers

For sites which require an end to end encryption which meets most military and government standards support for new serial readers are available.

QR Codes

QR codes and barcodes can now be read using the Magellan 1100I scanner.

Many more features and improvements have been made in the new version.
To download click here

To be able to upgrade to the latest GuardPointPro you will require a license dongle with minimum version 3.00.0xx otherwise please contact:

New Staff Announcement

Posted in News

Paul Barrett
UK and EMEA Sales Manager

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Barrett to Sensor Access as our UK and EMEA Sales Manager.

Paul has over 25 years of experience in the security industry, on both the installation and manufacturing sides of the business. His knowledge in how to manage a security company has allowed him to demonstrate what he feels are important issues and challenges for our customers.

Since Paul has joined us in September, he has been focusing on who our customers are and how we can best assist them in gaining contracts, increasing their margins and securing maintenance contracts. With this in mind, we have employed a new route to market that will allow companies to differentiate themselves, and a genuinely different partner programme that rewards companies with more than just a glass paperweight and a pat on the back.

Paul has said: “The Sensor Access control products already stand out from the crowd: quality built hardware, feature rich, with an intuitive and reliable software used by both engineers and system users alike – a characteristic considered a rarity. I genuinely believe that we and our customers have a fantastic opportunity to change the Access Control market for the better. Of course, it often comes down to pricing and margins but ultimately it is about a company’s reputation and how it values its customers. Value is what we will be offering our customers and this will allow them to do the the same for theirs.”

For any sales queries, please contact Paul on either of the following:

Email: paul@sensoraccess.co.uk

Tel: 01273 242355

New: Features Added to GuardPoint Corporate

Posted in News, Products

Sensor Access has recently improved the GuardPoint Corporate edition by allowing additional modules such as LIFT, Video and Galaxy to be added. The GuardPoint Corporate package is a solution suitable for installations of up to 128 readers and includes modules such as Badge Printing, Graphical Maps, SQL and two additional workstations as standard.

GuardPoint Corporate is a cost effective solution compatible with our low cost NX range of controllers, which come in 1 and 2 door flavours.

To find out more, please contact us

Bluetooth Readers: New in Access Control

Posted in News, Products

Image of Sensor Access bluetooth reader with a mobile phone being presented to it with the Sensor logo on the screen

Bluetooth connectivity technology is a recent development in access control, offering the ability to control your system using just your smart-phone, as well as an alternative authentication option. This works by allowing users to open doors from a distance by simply using their phone. The Bluetooth signal can be activated either by using a gesture such as rotating the phone or from pressing a button within a phone application. By combining the phones own authentication facilities with the Bluetooth application, two factor authentications can be achieved for extra security.

Bluetooth readers are therefore providing a simple and secure identity management process that is both user-friendly and convenient.


Advantages of Bluetooth Readers

  • Simple security identity management
  • User-friendly
  • Future-proof
  • Allows users to open doors from a distance through gesture technology
  • Offers additional layers of authentication for protection

Bluetooth technology is very apt for our current climate, with increasing numbers of mobile phone users. This new technology will offer a convenient yet very high security access control solutions while providing an overall user-friendly experience.

Sensor Access will be offering Bluetooth technology within its current design of readers. To browse our current range, please click here

Keeping the current SF, Mifare or SP technology and combining it with a Bluetooth antenna will offer an upgrade path to existing system to move on to Bluetooth whether it be for the benefits or Bluetooth range or higher level of encryption and security.


For further enquiries regarding bluetooth readers, please contact us

Alternatively, to keep up to date with the latest news please follow us on social media:

  

 

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

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