The lowest security access control system we provide is the mechanical digital lock. Theses locks require the correct code to be entered into the keypad on the door, which then allows the knob to be turned to unlock the door. Mechanical digital locks do not require electricity or batteries to operate the unit. The customer can also change the single access code if the security code is compromised. These units are available in brass or stainless steel and cost approximately £150 per unit including installation. Other types of digital lock are available including heavy usage and vandal resistant external locks.
Our next level of access control is the electronic digital keypad. The ACT 10 unit provides greater securities by allowing up to 10 different user codes, also the keys are illuminated which assist users entering the code when the entrance is in darkness. Electronic keypads can be integrated into entry phone systems and car park barriers. If the keypad is fitted to a fire exit, the keypad can be connected to the building’s fire alarm system, which will automatically unlock the door if the fire alarm is activated thus conforming to fire exit regulations. Electronic keypad systems normally cost £300 to £500 depending on the equipment and integration required.
Card entry systems provide a higher level of security to a code entry systems, as a unique card is required to gain access, whereas the code entry system allows users to pass on the access code to others, which can defeat the security of the premises.
Card entry systems are available in two versions stand alone and on-line. Stand alone system are installed to control one entrance, additional stand alone units can be installed to other entrances within a building, although each time a card requires to be added or removed the person in charge of the system will have to physically go to each entrance and alter the valid / invalid card information.
The Kantech ioPass is a fully programmable stand-alone access control system that allows entry by holding a proximity card close to the unit, by 4-digit code or both for high security applications. The system can have up to 5000 users and records each event in the systems memory thus allowing information to be gained of who entered the door and at what time. The system can also be configured to create a local alarm if the door is left open which will continue to activate until the door is closed.
If the ioPass is to control an external entrance the main unit is installed inside the premises as it is not waterproof and a waterproof or vandal resistant card reader is installed externally. ioPass systems normally cost £500 to £1000 depending on the equipment, integration and amount of cards required.
On line access control is where Allied Security differ from many of our competitors, as over forty percent of our workload is for computer based access control systems. We install and maintain Kantech, PAC, CardKey, Sensor Access Technology, Northern Computers and TDSi Access Control systems to name but a few.
These systems are mainly installed to national and multinational corporations, hospitals, prisons and country estates controlling access for thousands of people each day.
On line access control systems provide the ability to easily control access to thousands of entrances at sites all over the country or world, for tens of thousands of employees from one or multiple computers, running the access control software. The information gained from the access control system can also be used for time and attendance reporting with a software smartlink direct to the companies payroll system.
We are an approved Kantech master dealer and one of the few companies in the country approved to install the Kantech Entrapss Global system.
The majority of new system we install utilise proximity or the latest smart card technology. Most corporations utilise the access control card as the company ID card with the employees picture printed directly onto the card.
Smart cards are also used for cashless vending in canteens and vending machines by some of our customers to reduce overheads thus removing the transport and accounting of cash transactions.
Turnstiles or speed gates are often installed where high volumes of staff enter a building each day. These systems prevent bottlenecks during peak times at main entrance doors.
The installation of turnstiles and read in and read out doors on all external entrances will ensure that the access control system knows exactly who is in the building at any onetime as employees will use their access card to enter and leave.
This design feature is of great importance if the building ever needs to be evacuated as the access control system can provide a roll call of exactly who was in the building.
