Selling IP Access Control?

Not that I do a lot of work with access controls (little bit here and there), but all of what I've done to date has been with standard direct-connected setups.

To me, one of the major benefits of IP video is the flexibility it gives you in the infrastructure - no requirement to home-run every line, primarily. The ability to decentralize cabling and control. And in a pinch, the ability to simply plug into existing infrastructure, which while generally not desireable, highlights the core benefit: MORE OPTIONS in how to do things.

I see the same benefits to IP access controls :not needing to run EVERY. FREAKING. WIRE. all the way back to one central location, the ability to use existing networks (less of an issue as traffic will be negligible), and so forth. On other words, MORE OPTIONS.

Michael's example highlghts that as well - FAR greater control on a per-door/per-reader basis, and in fact, the ability to change that control on the fly, without the need for complex programming changes, or worse, physical wiring changes. Again, MORE OPTIONS.

The best advantage that we see for IP Access control is First - if the products can be powered over the ethernet as well. If the POE aspect of the lock controllers can also control the maglocks and door locks then this saves on electrical work required.

Second - if the access control is on the network and can integrate with other components of the building - such as lights and speakers then a policy can be created which means that sharing the network allows integration between these components. So for exmple a visitor arrives at the office. Lights are automatically turned on or increased in brightness and welcome announcement can be made through the speakers etc.

Third - With the IP Access control on the network - this can be integrated also with IP Surveillance and IP Telephony system (open and close doors from say a Cisco Phone menu after viewing mages from a camera and adding door open options in the phone's menu).

Fourth - When access control is on the IP network you can control entry to remote buildings from a central monitoring centre using video and door controls over the Broadband network with IP addressing.

It is all available right now - and with case studies at the netgenium.co.uk web site.

Most of this is installed usually by network and data installers as they understand structured cabling and POE infrastructures etc. They do not need qualified electricians for a deployment which means they can add other products into their typical bag of network and IP offerings.

You want IP because you don't ever want to here this:

"You want me to go into the CIO's office after I finish the VoIP phone audit and ask him for a million bucks for somebody to pull serial cables to run the door locks. I guarantee the CIO is going to ask why don't you ask the structured cabling vendor who just finished the phone install if they can handle it."

And I own 5 RS-485 USB converters all attached to Virtualbox Linux VM's and Raspberry PI's. Not an app, but quite sufficiently close to have street cred in the twitterverse.

You want the appriate infrastructure for the situation, and the default answer is IP, even when you have to explain you can only run RS-485 out to the front gate (unless they want to spend an extra $97k on that one door lock.) You have to be literate about that "default answer is IP" bit. I realize all you badass physical security people in this form know lots more than I about front gate door lock options.

Hello Dan, I have a few followup questions/comments for you:

• "Reduced installation cost, no panels to cut in or extra wires."

I still have to find a place to stick my controller and cable them together agreed?

• "More advanced technology, IP based readers are directly connected to the network and are able to "Call Home" from remote locations."

"Advanced technology" sounds like blibbety blab sales speak. Even serial-based systems can be connected to the ethernet through inexpensive devices and are remotely accessible through standard VPN or remote access utilities. No magic 'IP-only' properties here.

• "Strong VMS integration"

Again, this is not guaranteed by using IP based systems nor is exclusive to IP access.

• "The biggest attribute customers like about IP based systems is there is no extra labor/product cost for composite wire, panels, powers supply's and transformers. "

I think what you mean is 'there is no separate network/cabling needed aside from an existing LAN with PoE', but calling it 'no extra cost' is not accurate since access control consumes infrastructure that would otherwise not be needed. Does that sound right?

Brian,

These claims are not exclusive and the redundancy and pass through power are just components of their patent as mentioned before. Since you deemed my information was a "naively spun sales pitch" then please accept my apologies yet end users do care about what I listed above.