RS2 Access Control Company Profile

By: Brian Rhodes, Published on Jan 13, 2016

Inside we examine RS2 Technologies Access It! line for best customer fit, key features, pricing, and main weaknesses.

Profile

RS2 is a US access company offering a range of platforms from small systems to enterprise platforms. Regardless of version, all systems use the same core Mercury Security hardware, differentiating by software features, with the primary focus being simplicity for occasional users, not full-time guard staff of operators.

With the emphasis on software, the company's most popular market segment is simpler systems. However, advanced integration features for biometric readers, visitor management integration, video surveillance system and other alarm system integrations are available as extra modules or enterprise versions.

Comparison Graph

The table below contrasts RS2 AccessIt! versus relative competition based on common differentiation factors like system size, platform 'openness', ease of video integration, and how the product is sold or available:

****** ** ********** ************ ****** **! **** *** **** ******** fit, *** ********, *******, and **** **********.

*******

*** ** * ** access ******* ******** * range ** ********* **** small ******* ** ********** platforms. ********** ** *******, all ******* *** *** same *********** ****************, *************** ** ******** features, **** *** ******* focus ***** ********** *** occasional *****, *** ****-**** guard ***** ** *********.

**** *** ******** ** software, *** *******'* **** popular ****** ******* ** simpler *******. *******, ******** integration ******** *** ********* readers, ******* ********** ***********, video ************ ****** *** other ***** ****** ************ are ********* ** ***** modules ** ********** ********.

Comparison *****

*** ***** ***** ********* RS2 ********! ****** ******** *********** based ** ****** *************** factors **** ****** ****, platform '********', **** ** video ***********, *** *** the ******* ** **** or *********:

[***************]

Overview *****

*** *******'* ***** ***** demos *** ********* ***** Next **** ********, *** most ****** ******** **** to *** ****** *** market:

Management ********

*** ****** *** **** basic ********** ******** ** **** appliance ** ****** ********. All ******** *** ********** with *** **** ******** controllers *** ******** ********. **** the ***** ** ******** options, * *** **** for ******* ** ********* and ************ *** ******* version ***** ** *** party *********** ** ********** licenses ******. ** * general *****, *** ******* differences ***** **** ****:

***** ****: *** ***** ******** **** free ******** *** ******* ******/** *********** ** MR-51E ****** ** **** software, ********** ** * max ** ** ******* per ******. *******, **** version ****** ******* ***** or ***** *** ***** system ************ *** ** limited ** *** ******.
**** ****: ** ********* ******* instead **** ** ********** to * *** ** 64 ******* ******* ******/** and **-**/** ******, *** also ******** ***********, ****** SQL ***********, ******** ******** uploads *** ******** ** to * ********** *******.
****.***: *** ****-**** ** server ***** ****** ** available ** *, **, 32, ** ** ****** versions **** ******** ********** in **** ****, *** also ******** ** ******* modules, ******** ***** ************, alarm ****** ***********, *** web ****** *******, *** unlimited ********** ****** *******.

*** ****** ******* **** hundreds ** *****,

****** **! *********: *** ******* ******* of ******** ******** ** to **** *****, ********* client ********, ******/******** ******** license *******, ********* ****** support, ******** *********** ********* ******, Microsoft *****, **** ****, SQL ******, ****, *** Microsoft ****** *********. ***** Universal ******* ******** ******* include **********, **** *****, time & **********, *** web *******.

** *******, *** *** be ******** ** ******** existing ****** ******* ********** existing ******** ** ******* Security *********** **** **** previously ****.

Clients *****

**** ******** ***** **** one ****** *******, *** adding **** ********** ***** requires ********** ****** *****. The **** *** ****** varies ***** ** *** version *** ******** *********, but ********* ***** ******* ~$*** for * ****** ****.*** client, ** ** ~$**** per ********* ******.

Platform ****

*** ** ********* **** expensive **** ******* *** access *****. *** ***** ***** **** two **** *** ** priced ** ~$*,*** **** includes ********, ** **-**** controller, *** *******, *** 25 *****. **** ** moderately ****** **** * similar **** ***** ******* ** ******** ******** ****** ********** ***** ****** **** ***** cost ~$*** - $**** for ******* *** **** systems.

*** ****** ***** ****.*** platform, ** ****** ******* software ****** ******* ~$*** - $***, *** *** door ********** **** ** between $*** - $**** depending ** *** ****** of ******* *********. ** general, *** '*** ****' pricing ***** **** ****** systems *********** **** *****.

*** ** * ****** product, **** ** ****** public *********. ******* *** resells *** *** ******** available, *** ****-******* ** the *******. ****** *** vary **** ****** ** dealer, ****** *********** ********* that ********* **** ****** pricing *** *** ****** available.

Dongle ********

*** ******** **** **********, RS2 ******* *** * dongle ** ******* ******** to ******** ********* ** servers ********* ** *** address. ****** ******* ******* hardware *** ** ******** port ***** ** ******** (an ********** ******** ******) based *****, *** ****** changes ** ******* ****** be **** ******* *** dongle ******* **.

Wireless *******

* ********** ******** ** RS2 ********** ***********. *** ********* *** compatible **** ******* ******** like ********'* **-*** *** Assa's ****** ******, *** also ******** **** ***** Sallis ****. ** ******** to *****, ******** ******* includes **** ********** ******** sensors, ****** *** ******** conventional ********* ****** ****** the *** *********. ******** support ******** ***-****** ****** types **** ***** *********, glassbreak, *** **** *******/****** billtrap *****, ******** *** basic ****** ****** ** be **** ** ***** security *****.

********

*** **** ********* ******* ******************* *** ********* *****. Supported ******** ******** ** networked, *** ********* **** controllers **** *** **-****, the ***-**** **-****, **-****, **-**, MR-51E, **-**, **-**** *** MR-16OUT. *** **** ******** Mercury ** ****** ******** kits *** ******** ****-***** users.

** ****,**** *****, *** **** ** VertX *********** *** *** ********* by ***.

Reader *******

******* ******** ** *** is ***** ** ***** reader *** ********** ******* than ***** ******* ****** offerings. ******* ******* ****** basic ******* *********** ****. *** ****** ****** credential ******* *** *********** all ***, ******, *** HID ******* ** *** kHZ, **.** *** **********. Less ****** ******* **** Aptiq, ********* ****, **** UHF, *** ******/********* *********** readers.

Ongoing *******

*** ******* ** ********* praised ** *******, *** the ******* ****** '**** ongoing **** *******' **** some ********* **********. *** users ******* ******* **** RS2's ******** ******** *** dealers, ******** **** ******* is ** ****. **** indeed ** * ******* compared ** ***** ********* **** Software ***** ** ***** that ****** ********** **** for ******* *******.

*******, **** ******* **** not ***** ******** ********, which ** ** ***** opt-in *** *** *********. Nor **** '**** *******' address ****** *** **** support **** *** ****** dealers ** ************ ** unwilling. *** ****, *** sells '****** ******* *********' that **** ** ******* annually.

Video ***********

*** ****** ** *********** with ******* *****'* ******** and *** ** ****** to ****** ***** ** its ***. ********! ***** *** displays **** **** *** basic ******** ********** **** that ******** ******. ***** the ****** ** ***** partners ** ***** [**** no ****** *********] (****** 11-12, ** ***** **** as **** ** ***** *******), ********** ********* **** Exacq, *********, *******, *******, and ******** *** *********.

** ****, *********** **** are *** ***** ** 'per ******' ** '*** VMS ******/***', *** ****** on *** ********** *** client *******. ****** ********* systems **** ***** ** Software *****, ***** *** integrate ***** ******* **** hundreds ** ******* ** many ********* *** *** one **** *** *** them ***.

**********

***'* *********** **** *** closed ******* *** ******* dealer ******* *** ************* compared ** ***** *********, especially ******* ******* ** the *** ******. *** example, ********* ******* **** *******, *******, **********, *** **** **** ****** *** ****** ********* ******* distribution *** ** *** limit **** ******* ** dealers ****** ** ****** 'direct support *********' ** *********. ************, if *****-***** ******* *** integrated **** ***, ** ongoing ******** ******* ********* is ******** ** ******** the *********** ** ******* to ***'* ********.

******* ******** ******** ** that *** **** *** party ********** ******* ** operates **** ** ******* Security. ***** **** ******** for * *********** ******* of *** ********* ******, other ******* *********** **** HID *** **** **** not ** *********.

******** ******* *****, *** does *** ***** *** sheer ****** ** *********** options ** ***** *******. For *******, ***** ****************** **** **** ** partners, ********* ******* **** LPR, *** **********, **** Alarms, ********, *** ******** systems. *** ******* ********** alone, *** ********** **** HID's **** *****, ***** Lenel ******** * ***** platforms ** ****. *** limited ************ ****** *** appeal ** *** ** a ******* '****** *******' enterprise ***********.

Other ********

**** ** **** ** ** ******* series ** ******* ***** on ****** *********. **** are **** ******:

******** ****** ******* ******* Profile
**** ******* ****** ******* Company *******
*** ****** ******* ******* Profile
********* ****** ****** ******* Profile
****** ****** ******* ******* Profile
******* ****** ******* ******* Profile

*** ***** ***** ********* you *** ********** ** seeing? ****** ***** ***** and **** * ***** reason ***.

Comments (6)

Pat Alvaro

01/15/16 02:13am

I'd like to see a review on ICT's ProtegeGX system. I believe it offers a unique approach in that it was designed from the ground up to include full intrusion functionality that isn't available in all the systems you've reported on so far. When was the last time you saw an Enterprise class system that has a bell output and POTS dialler built right in on the controller and can communicate to a central station in either CID or SIA?

Disclosure: I work for Inaxsys in Canada and represent the ICT range.

Richard Lavin

Idibri Consulting | IPVMU Certified | 01/15/16 05:52pm

Pat brings up an interesting point. How many access control manufacturers offer a unified access control / intrusion detection product?

I know there are some on the burg side, like DMP and Bosch that have unified systems, but I don't know if the access control portion of those is any good.

Undisclosed Integrator #1

01/20/16 11:19pm

Picked up RS2 in 2014 and they have been a great partner to work with. Pretty up to date on their software aka no Windows 3.1 GUIs floating around. Tech support have been very helpful.

Brian- Could do a profile on these Access Companies as ell

-DMP ( We are seeing a lot of their hosted Access Control Offerings combined with burg panels) I know they are intrusion first but are making a big push with their dealers to sell their access.

-AMAG (Always on bids)

-S2 (Pretty common as well)

Scott Gerrels

IPVMU Certified | 02/12/16 08:07pm

You mentioned that Vanderbilt is available through distribution?

I don't think they are.

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Scott Gerrels | 02/12/16 09:06pm

They include a distributor list on their website, and you can get it via internet distros as well.

Tom McVey

IPVMU Certified | 05/27/16 08:55pm

Galaxy Access Control. would like to see them.

Login to read this IPVM report.

Why do I need to log in?

IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.

Related Reports

Disruptor Wyze Releases Undisruptive Smartlock on Dec 06, 2019

While Wyze has disrupted the consumer IP camera market with ~$20 cameras, its entrance into smart locks is entirely undisruptive. We have...

Ultinous European Analytics Startup Company Profile on Dec 04, 2019

European analytics-startup Ultinous pitches customers to "Have your own video analysis service!" We spoke to Ultinous to better understand their...

Access Startup Multi-Mount Aims To Streamline Reader Installs on Dec 03, 2019

Startup Multi-Mount claims it makes installing access readers 'Fast', 'Secure,' and fit 'any size frame.' The company states its bracket 'fits most...

Directory of Access Reader Manufacturers on Nov 27, 2019

Credential Readers are one of the most visible and noticeable parts of access systems, but installers often stick with only the brand they always...

Budget Covert Cameras Tested on Nov 26, 2019

Covert cameras under $100 are widely available online but are they any good? To see how these models really work in the real world, we bought...

Vunetrix Health Monitoring Company Profile on Nov 26, 2019

Vunetrix boasts that they make the integrators the 'HERO' by using Vunetrix's monitoring. We spoke to Vunetrix to better understand their...

Wyze AI Analytics Tested - Beats Axis and Hikvision, Now Improved, Now Being Terminated on Nov 25, 2019

When we originally tested Wyze's free person detection deep learning analytics in July 2019, they performed well, with few false alarms, but a long...

Top 2020 Trend - AI Analytics on Nov 22, 2019

170+ Integrators answered: What do you think will be the top industry trend in 2020? Why? For the 4th year in a row, AI/video analytics was...

Glass Doors and Access Control Tutorial on Nov 21, 2019

One of the biggest access challenges are locking and securing glass doors. Unlike wood or steel doors that can be modified to work with...

ISC East 2019 Show Report on Nov 21, 2019

IPVM has finished in New York City covering both days of the ISC East 2019 show. Here is a 6+ minute general walkthrough: Inside this report,...

Most Recent Industry Reports

Disruptor Wyze Releases Undisruptive Smartlock on Dec 06, 2019

While Wyze has disrupted the consumer IP camera market with ~$20 cameras, its entrance into smart locks is entirely undisruptive. We have...

Bosch Budget 3000i Cameras Tested on Dec 05, 2019

Bosch has long had a hole in its lineup for, as it describes, "competitively-priced cameras". Now, Bosch has released its 3000i series cameras...

Anixter Resisting Takeover From Competitor on Dec 05, 2019

Mega distributor Anixter is going to be acquired but by whom? Initially, Anixter planned to go private, being bought by a private equity firm....

Security Sales Course 2020 - Last Chance Save $50 on Dec 05, 2019

This sales course is customized for the current needs and challenges specific to professionals selling video surveillance and access control...

Ireland National Children's Hospital Chooses Hikvision End-to-End With Facial Recognition on Dec 05, 2019

The world's most expensive hospital project ever, the New Children's Hospital in Ireland, has chosen an all-Hikvision surveillance system including...

AVTech ~$70 IP Cameras Tested Vs Dahua and Hikvision on Dec 04, 2019

Taiwanese manufacturer Avtech is taking direct aim at low cost leaders Dahua and Hikvision with ~$70 starlight and white light illuminator...

Ultinous European Analytics Startup Company Profile on Dec 04, 2019

European analytics-startup Ultinous pitches customers to "Have your own video analysis service!" We spoke to Ultinous to better understand their...

Access Startup Multi-Mount Aims To Streamline Reader Installs on Dec 03, 2019

Startup Multi-Mount claims it makes installing access readers 'Fast', 'Secure,' and fit 'any size frame.' The company states its bracket 'fits most...