Locks are used everywhere, but they are not all the same, sometimes for no other reason than geography. The variation complicates the most basic access control designs. Inside, we compare the 5 common types used worldwide and address their...
By Brian Rhodes - about 2 months ago
Many spend thousands on advanced access systems but regularly neglect one of the least expensive, yet most important aspects of all: Key Control. Keeping track of keys, who carries them, and which doors they open is vital for security. In...
By Brian Rhodes - about 2 months ago
Powering access control using Power over Ethernet is convenient and increasingly common. However, access requires more power than cameras, and the problems of not having enough are significant especially if unsecured doors, unresponsive...
By Brian Rhodes - 3 months ago
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...
By Brian Rhodes - 3 months 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...
By Brian Rhodes - 3 months 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...
By Brian Rhodes - 4 months 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...
By Brian Rhodes - 5 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...
By Brian Rhodes - 5 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 - 5 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...
By Brian Rhodes - 6 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...
By Brian Rhodes - 8 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...
By Brian Rhodes - 11 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 - 11 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...
By Brian Rhodes - 12 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...
By Brian Rhodes - 12 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...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year 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...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year 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...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year 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...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year 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 - over 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...
By Brian Rhodes - over 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...
By Brian Rhodes - over 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...
By Brian Rhodes - over 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...
By Brian Rhodes - over 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...
By Brian Rhodes - over 1 year ago
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