(Suprema Employee, edited once)
Hi David,
There are three ways for you to work with Suprema Fingerprint readers:
1- Fingerprint templates stored on devices => fingerprint matching on device => need Ethernet connected to the reader (it will work in "disconnected mode" for the access control but you need the network connected again in order to add/remove any employees fingerprint template in the devices). Suprema devices support basically 2.5K to 20K employees (case of 1 finger in 1:N, one to many mode)
2- Fingerprint templates stored on the server => fingerprint matching on server => need Ethernet to the readers (cannot work in "disconnected mode"). You still have the possibility to use "Way 1" as a backup if network is temporary "down".
3- Fingerprint templates stored on a smart card (iClass SE, DesFire/Mifare) => 1:1 fingerprint matching on the device => no need Ethernet in that case: can work in disconnected mode all time. Inconvenient: employee having his smart card is mandatory for getting access to the site
Easiest way for you to ask your questions about Suprema:
https://www.supremainc.com/en/ProductInquiry
(Sorry John/Brian for this little part of adverstising, I am a natural born biz dev, couldn't resist).
Using Wiegand out of the fingerprint reader, you can send a "Card ID" (possible HID "Secure ID") or a "user ID" (that you define in your access control system). As for understanding the wiegand configuration (these explanations work with competitors products as well but I am not sure if they all have the same convenience/parameter settings).
Click on the first top result at the page linked below:
https://www.supremainc.com/en/search/node/wiegand
If you want to remove the assle of the sync of this "Unique link key" between your two systems, you can check existing integrations with common access control software and controllers (BioConnect = Biometric advanced template management plugin):
http://www.bioconnect.com/certified-bioconnect-partners/
Also works with Face infrared recognition (nice for touchless requesting environnenment like hospitals with less that 1K employees)
Hope this helps you well,
Baud