The direction doors open might seem minor, but it can greatly impact access lock selection. There are four basic ways a door can swing, and knowing how to properly determine it is critical when designing access control systems and ordering do...
By Brian Rhodes - about 15 hours ago
For decades, Gallagher has been one of New Zealand's most famous companies. Now, they are aggressively expanding into North America and, if they fulfill their plans, will have one of the largest US-based access control sales organizations. But wha...
By Brian Rhodes - 1 day ago
Not all doors, even in larger facilities, can justify using electronic access control. And even for doors that do have electronic access control, many often need to work with mechanical locks. However, most keys can be easily copied. How do you i...
By Brian Rhodes - 21 days ago
This 85+ point checklist helps end users, integrators, and consultants verify that access control installation is complete. It covers the following sections: Door Hardware Checks Reader Checks Controller Checks Fire Alarm Loop Confirmat...
By Brian Rhodes - about 2 months ago
Access lock brands Allegion, Assa, and Dormakaba have captured huge sections of the door locks market, but which one do integrators most prefer? We asked integrators, with 200+ respondents answering: What is your favorite brand of electron...
By Brian Rhodes - 2 months ago
When the main power fails, many believe maglocks must leave doors unlocked. However, battery backed up maglocks are allowed according to IBC / NFPA code. It just needs to be done properly. We examine the five critical steps for using backing ...
By Brian Rhodes - 2 months ago
Access control can cause integrators big headaches. What practical issues do they face selling and installing them? ~200 integrators told us the biggest problem they face when selling electronic access control and why those particular problem...
By Brian Rhodes - 3 months ago
Doors vary greatly in how difficult and costly it is to add electronic access control. Bad assumptions about them can cost thousands. Often the door is inadequately or inaccurately described resulting in avoidable specification mistakes. In t...
By Brian Rhodes - 5 months ago
Density presented its cloud-based occupancy sensor to deal with Coronavirus at the May 2020 IPVM Startups show. Inside this report: A 30-minute video from Density including IPVM Q&A Background on the company Key Positive factors to c...
By Brian Rhodes - 8 months ago
Openpath presented its new PoE controller at the May 2020 IPVM Startups show. Inside this report: A 30-minute video from Openpath including IPVM Q&A Background on the company Key Positive factors to consider Key Negative factors to ...
By Brian Rhodes - 8 months ago
PDQ presented its mobile, wireless access system 'pdqSmart' at the April 2020 IPVM New Products show. Inside this report: A 30-minute video from PDQ including IPVM Q&A Background on the company and the new product Key Positive factor...
By Brian Rhodes - 9 months ago
Dormakaba presented its Switch Tech smartlock at the April 2020 IPVM New Products show. Inside this report: A 30-minute video from Dormakaba including IPVM Q&A Background on the company and the smart lock Key Positive factors to cons...
By Brian Rhodes - 9 months ago
IPVM recommends that integrators advocate and end-users consider adding door operators to fight the spread of coronavirus. This delivers mutual benefits - providing business to integrators in a slowdown and improving the attractiveness and heal...
By Brian Rhodes - 10 months ago
Controlling access to hazardous environments requires equipment meeting specific ratings that certify they will not start fires or will not introduce potential contamination risks. Understanding those ratings mandate careful selection. Inside t...
By Brian Rhodes - 11 months ago
Delayed Egress marks one of the few times locking people into a building is legal. With so much of access control driven by life safety codes, and a predominant focus of 'free egress' during an emergency, 'delayed egress' is contrary in preventin...
By Brian Rhodes - 12 months ago
Despite widespread use, locked doors are notoriously weak at stopping entry, and thousands can be misspent on locks that leave doors quite vulnerable. Using locks with multiple latches is one way to improve door security against attacks. Insid...
By Brian Rhodes - 12 months ago
Wyze's inexpensive cameras have grabbed the attention of many in the consumer market, but can the company's new smart lock get similar attention? In this test, we share an IPVM member's field report to see how well Wyze lock installs and performs...
By IPVM Team - about 1 year ago
Mechanical keys are one of the most fundamental forms of access control. 'Master Keying' can allow individually different credential keys to segment access, but requires no electricity, no network, and uses regular door locks. How Master Keys w...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year ago
Hotel access control does not work like typical commercial access control because doors in hotels are not typically directly connected to a central server. How does it work then? How can the hotel assure that cards are used properly? Inside thi...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year ago
While Wyze has disrupted the consumer IP camera market with ~$20 cameras, its entrance into smart locks is entirely undisruptive. We have reported on the rise of Wyze in the past year, including 'big box' retail displays, selling more than 1 mi...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year ago
One of the biggest access challenges are locking and securing glass doors. Unlike wood or steel doors that can be modified to work with electrified locking hardware, glass doors present great challenges. In this tutorial, we examine: Why Gl...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year ago
For some access openings, running wires can add thousands in cost, and wireless alternatives that avoid it becomes appealing. But using wireless and WiFi locks can have drawbacks over hardwired alternatives. In this guide, we examine key aspec...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year ago
For access, there is one basic maxim: Life safety above all else. But how do you know if all applicable codes are being followed? While the basic maxim is simple to understand, many potential variations of rules exist, and access control profes...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year ago
Just because access doors are closed does not mean they are locked. Unless access systems are using lock status monitoring, the doors and areas they protect could be left insecure. How can you tell when doors are locked? Lock status monitoring...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year ago
Door controllers are at the center of physical access control systems connecting software, readers, and locks. Despite being buried inside enclosures or hidden inside ceilings, they are a complex component that ties everything else together. ...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year ago
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