Access Control System Recommendations

Not to stray, I'm trying to wrap my head around "majority...solid wood walls"? Are you building a log cabin? :)

The building is constructed of cross laminated timber. In this case the structural wood wall is the finished surface and there is no stud wall to run wires through. We're trying to leave the wood as undisturbed as possible.

Finished wall looks somewhat like this:

Great question, undisclosed!

Let's see what the recommendations from readers are. Here are a couple of additional questions to help get you the right answer:

1. Are you open to wireless suggestions in lieu of wired systems?

2. If the system grows beyond 7 doors, what is the maximum number of doors you're looking at controlling?

3. Explain why you're thinking SE readers. Are you thinking NFC? Any existing Prox/AWID credentials in use?

4. Do you need to see the system remotely? (Via browser)

5. Is there also an intrusion alarm system at this facility? If so, what is it?

Thanks!

I have assisted a company that installed Keyscan. It is very easy to install and program and very easy to expand. dormakaba USA - Smart access solutions">dormakaba USA - Smart access solutions This company was an I.T. company and already had an account at the vendor.

Several questions, since you are going to have a seperate alarm system are you more concerned about unathorized access or the controlling of doors and absolutely knowing when they are opened and/or held open? Will your employees take the system seriously? Will there be employees that will read their card and hold the door open for others to enter on their cardread? Will they prop doors if there is no held open alarm? Will you have a designated person that will be in charge of the database? Strict accountability of cards and no duplicates, loaners or vendor only cards used as a temp fix?

How is your electrical going to be run through conduit, wiremold or predrilled walls?

Our company uses Tyco based access control either, Maxsys or Kantech depending on the situation. Maxsys (for smaller installations as 1 4820 controller will do only 2 doors and requires integration with alarm system module off the hop) or Kantech which has 1, 2, and 4 door controller units. Kantech requires the use of a server to control doors, inputs, outputs, request to exits, etc and is very powerful. There are several software versions available, and they host an assortment of options for full video and alarm integration, as well as other modules (wireless key fob, card used display for security officers and an assortment of other modules). Several clients have opted to use IO prox keypad/reader units as they are able to arm/disarm from the reader, as well as see the alarm status via the reader LED.

Kantech recently launched the Intevo server, which is access control server/vms all in one. We only have one out in the wild at this point, but it is quite an impressive unit. They also have a demo version of sofware to play with to get familiar with how things operate.

Would a system such as the S2 Netbox support iClass SE, or only iClass?

They both output wiegand so you can use either. If you just want a card to open a door then IClass or any technology will fit the bill.

Hello, Reid:

I suspect that 'secured side' requirement is more procedural best practice than technology based. Consider a traditional burg system: the keypad that disarms the system is located inside (the secured side). If someone defeats the door, or crawls through a window, or by whatever means gains unauthorized access, the intrusion alarm is yet another layer of security to be addressed. Recommending two readers mean that someone cannot pick up or steal a credential and singlehandedly disarm both systems from outside a building.

However, I cannot think of a tech limitation that would prevent an externally mounted reader from disarming an intrusion system. You may not be able to use one reader for both functions (two readers may be required), but I would think it could be installed that way regardless.

At the least, consider using a multi-factor authentication (eg: iClass & PIN) to disarm and open the doors if readers are mounted outside. Layered security is fundamental to good security!

Interesting application, thanks for sharing.