Subscriber Discussion

What Is The Technology Behind Kastlepresence? Confused & Curious

UE
Undisclosed End User #1
May 26, 2016

What is the actual product/technology behind KastlePresence? It works off of low energy Bluetooth...which could be any technology...even Apple's Beacons work of low energy Bluetooth technology. Does KastlePresence really have a product/software/user app they made in-house, or is this something they are OEM'ing? I'm also wondering if this technology is effective for a business. It does not solve piggy-backing or someone stealing your phone, or does it? What is the occupancy chart actually for? Does it also show visitors with smartphones or just employees? If just employees, then this would have to be a special niche use. Is this just one of those technology gimmicks that looks cool to people at first and they buy it, then realize it has really no use? Or does this have a place? What makes this different than current NFC access products besides the technology difference and the branding?

It looks like they are using technology that was built for marketing and tracking and using it for security. Are they on to something? Or is this a IoT gimmick?

I have seen a lot of articles about this with all the standard trade mags (Online version) in the past 5 months. Unfortunately, you can never find a true spec sheet with it.

Website

SSN article about KastlePresence - Kastle’s new president Glenn Felson looks to capitalize on IoT

Avatar
Brian Karas
May 26, 2016
IPVM

I asked a high-level contact at Kastle about this, will post an update if they reply.

[UPDATE]

Spoke with someone at Kastle about this, they don't want to divulge too many technical details yet as some components of this are in the process of being patented.

There are apparently multiple patents (not sure how many) that are based on research and development that Kastle did, so it's not just an OEM.

It works off of BLE for both iPhone and Android phones. They didn't want to build it off NFC because Apple has not adopted NFC or given indications when/if they will.

They claim it is unique from other offerings because it is completely hands-free, and does not require a user to interact with their phone to open a door.

There are multiple customers that have been using it for several months now, it is actively deployed.

You most likely won't find a specsheet online any time soon. Kastle acts as an integrator and sells direct to their customers/users. In my experience they operate in selective areas, and work with customers to develop complete solutions vs. putting product catalogs or specs online. I think Kastle wants to keep this product as a competitive advantage and not provide extensive details online.

(1)
UE
Undisclosed End User #1
May 27, 2016

I just found this link from appleibeacons.com (link) that has SSN's article reposted. I'm 99% sure that KastlePresence is using iBeacons. For anyone to get this technology, you just need to follow Apple's Developer guidelines when creating the app for the iPhone and Cross Platform guidelines for Android and Windows phones. Not sure why you would need to hire 20 Engineers for this as the foundation is already laid by Apple and a few other companies. I've been wondering when someone in the security world would try this. This is something many integrators and manufacturers could do. Truthfully, I'm not sure at how well this would work for Access Control as it has the same physical fault as NFC Card Access.

I wonder if you install the beacons if you will also get future advertising dollars, as the beacons could also be used to track peoples locations and send them phone messages with a deal and etc., which is why iBeacons were created in the first place.

What is iBeacon Technology link

Apple's iBeacon for Developers website

New discussion

Ask questions and get answers to your physical security questions from IPVM team members and fellow subscribers.

Newest discussions