Worst Access Control Manufacturers 2018

By: Brian Rhodes, Published on Apr 18, 2018

Three access control providers stood out as providing the most problems for integrators.

In this report, we analyze the answers to:

"** *** **** ****, what ** *** ***** access ******* ********** ********/****** you **** ***** ****? Why?"

** *** ***** ****** ******* **** *******, ***** *** *** top ******. **** ****** improved *** ***** ** the **** * *****? Can ****** ****** ****? Moreover, **** *** ******* access ******** ********* *** ***** **** ** ********** ** the ******? ** ******* *** results ******.

[********: ** *********** *** ******** ** ******* *** any **** *********, ********* these *******. ****** ****** any ********** *********** ** info@ipvm.com.]

Top *******

*** ***** ******* ***** choices:

  • *****: ********* *** #* worst ** **** **** the **** '*****' *****, Lenel ****** *** *** 'net ********' ******** **** after ********* ** ******** votes. 
  • **** *******: *** ******* ******** ******** ***** ******** ********** ******* ******* negative *** ** ******* issues *** * ******* management *********. ***** *** a *********** ****** ******** in ***** ** ****** ** *******, those *** ******* ** the ******** *** ** mostly ** ******** ***** it.
  • ********: ***** ******** *** ********, Avigilon *** * *********** number ** ***** **********, a ********* ***** ***** how ***** ******** ******** generally *** *** *** strongly ******** **** ********* (#* ********),*** (**** #* ********), *** ***** ********* (#* ********).

*** * ******* ******* to: *****.  ******* ***** a ******** ******** ** North ******** *** ******** access *******, *** ******* video ***** ********** ******* negative ****** ******* ******** among ******* *** **** tried **, **** ** favorite **********.

*******, ** *** ******** side, **** */*** ** the ***+ ********** ********* reported *** ****** *** significant ********, * ******** sign *** *** ****** market ** *******. 

Compared ** ****

*** ****** ****** *** changed ***** *** **** survey ****** ********, *** ******** ******* those *******:

  • ******** ** * ****** factor ** ******. ******** to **** ***** ******** ACM *** *** ************* mentioned, *** ******** ********* much **** *********** ** 2018.
  • ***** ****** *** ************ **** ****** *****. Dahua *** ********* **** * significant ***** *********, *** established ************ *** ******* are *** ******* ******* up *** ****** *****. Responses ****** ********* ** Dahua *** * ******** of ***** ****** ********* offerings.
  • *** ****** ****** ** a ***** ******* ******* fragmented, **** **** ** ********* being ***** '*****' ** least ****.

Lenel *******

********* *** *** '*****' rank: *****.  

*******, ** ******* ********** by, ********* ** *** executives [***: ***** ********* ** *** (Now ** ****)] *** ******* *** ********* to ******* *** ******* widespread ****** *************** **** service, ***** *******, *** technical *******.

*********** *** *********** ****** of *****'* **** *** installed ****, *** ***** volume ** ******** ***** is **** ******** *** to *** *******'* ****** successes. ******, ***** ******** a ******** ****** ** 'favorite *****' ***** ** well, *** **** **** factoring ***** **, *** negatives **** ***** *** greater.

**** *** ********** **** the *****:

  • "*****. ** ** **** of ******** **** *****, but ** *** ********** treated **** * ******. They ******** ** **** high ********, *************** *** level *******, *** * corporate *********. **** **** a **** ******* ***** system, *** * ** convinced ****** ***** ***** anything ***** **. ***** lots ** **** ** phone **** *** ***** programmers ***** ** ****."
  • "** ***** ***** *** gave *** ******* ************ discount ******* ***** **** one ** ** *********** names ****** ** *** letterhead."
  • "***** **** **** * few *** *** **** issue ** ************ ** very ********** ******* **** putting ******** ********, *********** and *******, ******* **** and ******** ******, ***. Lenel - *** ******** support ****** *** *****. I **** **** ** when ** ********* *** I **** ** ********* I **** ****."
  • "*****. ***** ****** ***** seems ** *** **** about *************. * **** to *** *** ******* on *********. * ****** we *** ** *** same "****" *** **** act **** * ** another ******** ** ****."
  • "*****. ** *********** ******** a ******** ** * very *** ******* ** software. ** **** ****** but *** ******** ****** a ******* ***** **** the ****** *******. *** software *** ** ***** that ****** *** ******* process ** ****. ** worked ******* *** ***** and ****** **** ** the ******** ******** *** the ******** *** ** a ********* ******** *****. It **** ***** ******* months ** ******* *** issue *** ** **** us * **** ***** customer."
  • "***** - ********* ****** and **** *******. **'** actually ** *** ******* of ********* *** *** Lenel ******* ** ***** platforms. **'* * ***** too. *** ******** ** good, ******** **** *** has **** ********."
  • "*****, ** ***** *** some **** ** * few ******** *** ****** no ****** *** *** result. ***** *** ****** kicked ** ***. ** happened * ***** ***** with ***** *** ***** 2-3 **** ******* ********* we *** **** *** other ********** ** *** last ** *****."
  • "*****- ** ** ********** getting ****** ******* *** inconsistent *** ******** ******* painful."
  • "***** ******* **** *******."
  • "*****. ** **** **** waiting * **** *** integration ** *****."
  • "*****. ******** ******* ** the ***** **** *** technical ****."
  • "*****. ***** **** ******* is ******** *** *** wait *** **** ** too ****."
  • "***** - ** ******* or ****** **."
  • "***** ** ********, *** it ***** ** *** because **** **** ** be *** ****.  *** these **** ******* * return **** ** * miracle."

Keri *******

**** ** *** ******** criticism ******* ** **** Systems. ***** ** ******* smaller ****** ** ******, several ******* ****** ******* with *** *******, **** to *** ***** ** ripping *** *** ********* installed *******:

  • "*** ***** ********** *** with **** *******. ** were ********** ** ******* an ***** ******* *** it ******** ******** *** database ******* **** ** Keri. ** **** ******* a *** ** ***** for *** ******** *** when ** ** *** files **** **** **** they **** ********* *** unusable. ***** ****** ** complaining *** ********** ** **** ******* **** "***** is ******* ** *** do". ** ******** *******, no ******, *** **** an ********* **** **** messed **. ******** ** *** ** no ****** *** **** product."
  • "****, ***** ******* **** and *******. ******** ** ********."
  • "**'** *** ** ******* a ****** **** ******* installed ****** ** **** over. **** ******** ******* boards ******* ** *** system, ******* ** **** of ********* *** *** system ** *** ** robust ** ***** ******* we've *********."
  • "** **** ******* ****, too **** ** * crapshoot *** **."
  • "******* *** *** ** all *** **** ***** we've **** ***** **** supporting, ** **** ********** trying ** **** **** support."

****'* ******** **** ********* negative, ********* *** *******'* difficulty ********** ******* ** more **** **** ** isolated ************.

Avigilon ***

******* *** *********** ******** positive ** ******** ** previous ******, ******** *** votes *** ** ** 2018. ***** ******** *** been * ******** ***** dealers *** ***** *** cameras, ******** ***** ****** are **** **** *****.

******* ******* ******* *** platform *** ******* ** larger *********** *** **** backend *********** *** ******* is *** ****** ** to *** ****:

  • "********. ** *** * job **** ******* **** a ****** *********** ******** that *** ******* ** their ********* ** *****. Extra ***** *** **** started ******* ***** ********* quite * *** ** testing *** *********** ** our ****. *** ******** ended ** ******* *** plug, ******** ** * result ** ***** ************ with ** ***/** *** product."
  • "******** *** - ******* third ***** *****."
  • "******** ***, ******** ** an ********** ******, ******* we **** *** ******** and **** ****** **** installed ***** ** *****."
  • "******** ***. **********, * very **** **** *** product. ****** *** ** co-workers **** ** **** to ********* *** *** after ******* **** ** it, *** **** ** our ********* *** **** to ****** ** ***. Lots ** ******* ***** even ****** **** **** been *******."
  • "******** ****** *** ****** better, *** ** ** still *** ******* ******* in *** ****** **** and ** *** **** service ***** ***** ** and *** ****** ****** it ***."
  • "** ******* *** ******* there *** ****** ******* out ***** *** *** money *** ** ** easier *** ** ** support."

******, ***** *********** ******* ACC *** *** *** tightened ** ****** ********, not *** ************ **** non-Avigilon *** ***** ******** are ******* ** ******** executed.  

Dahua ******

*** ** * ******* mention, ***** ****** ******** sharp ******** *** **** technical ******* *** ******** ******:

  • "*****. ****** **** ******* relays ** ** ************* overheating *** ******** ** closed ********. ******** ** doors ********* ******** ***** hours, ***** ****** ****** by **** ***** ********, countless ***** ** *************** on ******** ****** *****, and ** *** *** replacing *** ****** **** a **** ********* (*** reliable) ******."
  • "***** ******** ******* **** wouldn't *** **** ** us ** ***** ******."
  • "***** ****** - *** time, *** ***** *****."
  • "***** *** **** ** help ******** **** ********* application *** ********* ****** compared ** ******."

** *********** *** *******'* access ******* ******** *** ***** that ** * *** disadvantages ** *** ***** ****** ******* ****. ***** *** ***-***** may ****** ** ****, the ****** ****** ***** the *******, ********, *** reliability ** ***** ********* platforms.

No **********

* ******* ****** ** *********** had ** ***** ****** experience. *** **** **********, access *********** *** ******* to *** ** *** brands, *** ****** ***** ****** ************* **** *** ***** *** / *** Manufacturers **** ***** * ******* ********** may ****** ******** ***** brands ** * ****** job, ****** ******* ** generally ******* ** **** one ** *** ********* for *** **** * company ********:

  • "** *** *********** ** complain *****."
  • "* ***'* ***** ** a ******** ********* **** any ** *** ********."
  • "** **** **** *** access ******* *******, ** I ***'* ******* ** with ******."
  • "****** ** **********. ** are **** **** *** support ** *** **** our ******* *******."
  • "** **** *** *** systems *** ***** *** a ****** *** ********** with ****."
  • "****, ** **** **** two ******* *** ****** control ** **** **** vendors ***** *** *** good *** *** ***. The *** ** ******* availability ** ***** *** their ******* *****."
  • "***'* *** ** **** had *** ***********. ** limit ********* ** ********** with ***-***** *************, ******** House, *******, **** *******."
  • "*****'* *** *** ****** bad ***********. **'** **** Kantech, ****, *** *********. All ****."
  • "******* ************ **** * would **** "*****". *******'* new ****** *** ***** wireless **** *** **** points *** **********, *** nothing ***** ****** ** as *****."
  • "*****'* *** ***. ** went ******* ******* * few ***** *** ** we're *** ****** ************* with *** ********* ***** now."
  • "** **** *** **** problems **** *** ** them. *******, ** *** not **** ******** *****. No *** ****** ** thrown ***** *** ***. Now *** ***** ****** of ***** ************* ** hardware ***** *** *** without **********."
  • "*** *** **** ******, but ** *** * Lenel ***** ** ***** with ***** *** *********. We **** **** ******** ACC *** *** ** the ******** ** ******* for ** ********** ********."
  • "**** *** *** *** bad *********** ** *** last ****. *******, * would **** ** *** more ****** ******* ** upfront **** ***** *********** online, **** ** ******* door *****, ******** ****, and ********. ** ** very **** ** ******** access ******* ******* ******. IPVM *** ********* ** ISC **** *** *** more **********."
  • "****, ** ****** **** DSX, *****, *****, *********, TyCo ******** ********* ** the ******* *****."
  • "** *** **** ****, I ****** *****'* *** a ****** *** ********** with ** ****** ******* manufacturer.."

Fragmented ************ ********

* ******* ******** ** integrators ********* ***** ****** that ******** ************* ***, but ** **** ******* criticisms.  ***** **** ****** *** not ******** ******** *** negative (** *** ********) votes, **** ***** *********** better *****, ***********, ** marketed *****. ***** '******' included:

  • "******** *****. **** ******* whatsoever *** ********* **** was ***% * ******** issue. **** **** ** be **********, *** ***** overall *******, ********* *****, has **** ********** ********."
  • "*******, **** ****** ** give ** ****** ****** even ****** ** ******* dozens ** ****** *****. They *** ********** ***** old ******* ***** ** total ********. ** **** awarded * ** **** job *** **** ****** it ******* * ****** dealer **** ****** ** the ******* ***."
  • "******* ********. **** ****** to ***** ***** ******* is ****. ***% ********* and ** ****’* ***."
  • "*******. ***: **** *** too ********** *** *******. Support ** *** ****."
  • "********. ******** *************, ********* third ***** *************, *********** support, ****** ********."
  • "** *** * ******* dealer *** ** *** been * ******** ** get *** *** ****** deployed ******* ********** ******, custom ***********, *********, *** getting **** ******. ** haven't ***** **** ** be ****** ********** *** they *** ******* **** important ******** ** ***** setup."
  • "**. ******* *** ****** panels ** ****. * had ** ********** ******* 12 ****** ** ***** to ******* *** ********."
  • "*****. ************** ********, *** long ** * *** for ******** ** **** place ** *** ******, etc."
  • "******. ***** *** ***** got **** ** ** when * ****** **** for **** **** **** an ***********."
  • "********* ******** **** ** drop ***** ***** ******** and **** *** ****** with ** **** ******* for **** ***** ** prove ********* - ********."
  • "*** - ***** ******** and ***** ******** ** old *** *** ** date. ****** **** ***-*** modules *** *** ********'* network ******** *********."
  • "****-******** ******** ******* *** programming ** **********."
  • "**** - ********, *** QC *** ********* **** their ********** **** **** to *** ***** **** out."
  • "**** ***** *******. **** controllers **** ** ************ have ****** ********* *******, but ** **** **** these ** * ****** customer **** *** *** pre-existing *******."
  • "**** *****, ***** ***** are ******** *** ***** software ** *****, **'* just *** * **** experience."
  • "****** ***, ****'** *** too ********... ** * standalone ****** ** **********. And ***** ******** ******* is ********."
  • "* **** *** *** much *********** **** **** but ***** **** * deal **** ******** *****, it ** * ***** pain. **** *** *** helpful **** ***-***** *******. I **** **** **** are ** *** **** they ***** ** *** care ***** ***** ***********."

Access '*********' ****

*******, ** **** ******* our ********* '******** ******' results, ***** ** ***** the **** ****** ****: "What ** **** ******** access ******* ********** ********/******? Why?"

Comments (24)

Undisclosed Integrator #1

04/18/18 11:51am

I always look forward to these reports, for what we use and might be thinking of using, or have to compete against. Not as sensational as some topics, but critical to what we expect and look forward to as members. Thanks!

Undisclosed Integrator #2

04/18/18 01:16pm

Stanley PAC, unreliable, readers always break as do the control units. Support isnt good :(

Undisclosed Manufacturer #3

04/18/18 03:16pm

Really surprised since any old ape can do access control;.... Or at least that is what I thought the NVR/Video people believe and have claimed. But since Bigger is always Better (cynical),........everyone gets exactly what they deserve based upon the choices and decisions they have made.

Many have come and many have gone. Jump on in,...the access waters are warm.   

Undisclosed Integrator #1

In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #3 | 04/18/18 03:30pm

Really surprised since any old ape can do access control;.... Or at least that is what I thought the NVR/Video people believe and have claimed

That has to be trunk slammers, because I never thought so. (Being primarily a video guy who knows enough about access to be dangerous.)

Undisclosed Integrator #5

In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #1 | 04/19/18 03:59pm

That has to be trunk slammers, because I never thought so. (Being primarily a video guy who knows enough about access to be dangerous.)

I agree. I find it to be incredibly difficult when providing door hardware, locksets, etc.  There are a lot more variables at play with access control when doing more than just a reader and electric strike/maglock.  I found video much easier to comprehend. 

John Honovich

IPVM | 04/18/18 05:05pm

Someone contacted us, saying they were from Lenel. The person said that they had been improving things over the past 2 years and expressed concerns about the results.

A few things:

Even if Lenel is improving things (and people close to Lenel say they are trying), it takes time. How much and how broadly is Lenel improving are key questions?

Moreover, I know it is easier to deflect and pretend the results are false or whatever. For example, there is the contingent that says our critical coverage of Dahua and Hikvision is because we don't like 'the Chinese'. And presumably, the critical coverage of Arecont and Lenel is that we don't like 'the Americans'. At some point, though, it is better to directly look at what those problems are and fix them.

Undisclosed Integrator #1

In reply to John Honovich | 04/18/18 05:18pm

Like politics, there is little to no objectivity anymore.

Undisclosed #4

04/19/18 12:23am

Prowatch came out of this one unscathed.

Avatar

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed #4 | 04/19/18 12:34am

No, not at all.  There were two 'worst' votes for ProWatch citing old interface and server services dependencies, and two comments critical of Honeywell's exclusivity requirement.

ProWatch did not make the 'top' list because it is not as commonly used as Lenel or C-Cure or Avigilon ACM, etc.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #8

In reply to Brian Rhodes | 04/23/18 08:53am

Avigilon ACM is significantly younger than Pro-Watch.  While I suspect that more new installations are Avigilon, the installed base of Pro-Watch must be larger unless ACM has had tremendous growth the past few years.

Avatar

Steve Beck

In reply to Brian Rhodes | 04/25/18 01:11am

Was Honeywell’s NETAXS mentioned as much as in 2016? We have been ripping those out left and right?

Avatar

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Steve Beck | 04/25/18 10:29am

Honeywell mentions described 'ProWatch', and especially the sales exclusivity requirements, but NetAXS was not specifically called out except for one vote.

I suspect this has more to do with the product being the domain of primarily alarm installers (expansion modules to alarm panels), while our members commonly install separate access systems.

Bryan Ebeling

In reply to Steve Beck | 08/06/18 09:31am

Agreed. Honeywell NetAXS and Winpak used to be our primary Access Control solution but due to the high cost, cumbersome interface, and lack of technological advances we are no longer selling them. 

Avatar

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Bryan Ebeling | 08/06/18 10:02am

Which platform replaced Honeywell in your offerings?

Undisclosed Integrator #6

04/19/18 06:10pm

What about Galaxy Access Control.  Anything good or bad said about them?

Avatar

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #6 | 04/19/18 08:03pm

As a smaller player, Galaxy did not strongly register in either 'worst' or 'best' results.  They had one 'best' vote and zero 'worst' votes.  

Avatar

Rick Caruthers

Galaxy Control Systems
04/19/18 10:36pm

Good to know we hit the list, being a smaller player and all...

Avatar

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Rick Caruthers | 04/19/18 10:44pm

No disrespect intended...

Robert Shih

IPVM | In reply to Rick Caruthers | 04/25/18 10:59am

Sometimes it's good to be small, it means you have a smaller target on your back.

Avatar

Rick Caruthers

Galaxy Control Systems
04/19/18 11:00pm

None taken, we are proud to still be an independently owned and US based manufacturer (a real manufacturer of access products.. design, develop and deliver our own hardware and software in house). . We are small, 37 employees but many in our space have not survived as many years as we have, since 1974, building quality access products since 1984 nor experienced the the level of installed systems for a group our size. 

Avatar

Dave Gideon

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Rick Caruthers | 04/20/18 08:47pm

Rick please pm me sometime Here thanks

Undisclosed Integrator #7

04/23/18 08:47am

I have been using Linear E3 panels and absolutely love them, we have several over 50 door systems and have never had to change any hardware after 2 plus years of being installed. Good customer and tech support. Nice using a product that works as described and is focused on pleasing the dealer/end user not just their profit margins i.e PTI, Doorking. 

David Pilchick

Brooklyn Low Voltage Supply
04/23/18 09:04am

Thank You for another interesting report

Our Access Control business has increased in a big way 

However most of the brands we carry are not really mentioned

We have been doing very well with 

Keyscan

Hartman Controls

Rosslare

Kantech (one comment about the sales side)

3xlogic (formerly infinias)

ZK Access (i saw one mention)

I know that Lenel is big with the larger integrator's

However in my experience the average access control job is just 3 doors

It would be great to get some reviews on these brands as well

I look forward to further discussion

Avatar

ALBERT COLQUITT

In reply to David Pilchick | 04/23/18 11:56am

I was hoping to see my most used systems from Identicard Premisys, or Identive Hirsch Velocity, and even Paxton.  Please report on some of the larger systems that have more than 5 doors. We do from 9 - 18 doors with our systems.

 

Thanks,

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