Assuming every door can be secured with either a maglock or an electric strike can be a painful assumption in the field. While those items can be applied flexibly with various openings, there are occasions where certain hardware cannot be used. A...
By Brian Rhodes - 7 days ago
Wireless access control is frequently promoted by manufacturers as a way to cut installation costs. Perhaps the biggest proponent of this is mega access control manufacturer Assa Abloy. Their most recent version of their wireless access control li...
By Brian Rhodes - 27 days 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 up m...
By Brian Rhodes - 30 days ago
The direction a door swings might seem minor, but it can greatly impact door hardware 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 - about 2 months ago
It has been 5 years since Axis 2013 entry in the physical access control market, with the A1001 (IPVM test). Now, Axis has released its second access controller, the A1601. With this release, Axis is touting it is faster, more powerful, and bette...
By Brian Rhodes - 3 months ago
Electronic access offers features that traditional mechanical locks cannot. While these features may not be as fundamental as keeping doors secure, they can provide significant management, safety, and security advantages over locks and key alone. ...
By Brian Rhodes - 3 months ago
Security system dealers can benefit from having their own access control test door both for demonstrations and training. Inside, we explain the advantages of using a 'test door', how it was purchased, and include a list of reports that feature t...
By Brian Rhodes - 3 months ago
This team sold their last startup for hundreds of millions of dollars, now they have started Openpath to become a rare access control small business focused entrant. Like many startups, the company is making big claims like 'mobile access control...
By IPVM Team - 4 months ago
Keeping surveillance networks secure can be a daunting task, but there are several methods that can greatly reduce risk, especially when used in conjunction with each other. In this guide, we look at several security techniques, both physical and...
By IPVM Team - 4 months ago
Even though access control normally keeps people safe, tragedies have revealed a significant issue. If users are forced to unlock doors for criminals, unsuspecting people inside are vulnerable. But 'Duress Access' is a common, although overlooke...
By Brian Rhodes - 4 months ago
End users spend thousands on advanced systems to keep themselves secure, but regularly neglect one of the lest expensive yet most important aspects of all: Key Control. Administrating who carries keys and which doors they open seems simple but ma...
By Brian Rhodes - 5 months ago
For ISC West 2018, what is new and interesting in access control? This rundown will bring you up to speed on the exhibitors, what they are releasing, and give you an idea of what is new. Notable Trends In terms of marketwide trends, three them...
By Brian Rhodes - 6 months ago
Locks are used everywhere, but they are not all the same. In fact, even the shape of the lock changes, sometimes for no other reason than geography. The variation can complicate the most basic access control designs, and not being aware of the dif...
By Brian Rhodes - 6 months ago
While locks can look the same, they may operate in significantly different ways. To make understanding them simpler, widely adopted industry standards define a range of over 20 different lock functions. Understanding them is vital in picking the l...
By Brian Rhodes - 6 months ago
We received 150+ responses from integrators when we asked them "What is the biggest problem you face when selling electronic access control? Why?". In order, these were the top problems cited: Too expensive Too little customer knowledge Too c...
By Sean Patton - 6 months ago
In this guide, we look at network rack infrastructure, one of the fundamentals of IP video surveillance. Inside, we cover: What is a rack unit (RU)? Square vs. threaded mounting holes Open frame Closed cabinets Wall mount vs. floor mount ...
By Sean Patton - 6 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 - 6 months ago
Electronic lock manufacturing is dominated by 3 conglomerates (alphabetically) Allegion, Assa and Dormakaba holding numerous electronic lock brands. But which do integrators most prefer? In this report, we rank the 3 conglomerates, examine which ...
By Brian Rhodes - 6 months ago
Securitron produces some of the most extreme maglocks on the market, including massively strong maglocks and even ones with integrated CCTV cams inside them. Now the company is touting one of their newest maglocks, the M680E, using only 52 millia...
By Brian Rhodes - 7 months ago
Powering access control with Power over Ethernet is becoming increasingly common. However, access requires more power than cameras, and the problems of not having enough are significant, especially if unsecured doors, unresponsive doors, or dead...
By Brian Rhodes - 8 months ago
Just because your doors look secure does not mean they are. Unless access systems are using lock status monitoring, the doors and areas they protect may not be left insecure. Can you tell whether the door below is locked? How? Lock status moni...
By Brian Rhodes - 9 months ago
Properly configuring access controllers software is key to a professional access system. These devices have fundamental settings that must be configured appropriately, including: Unlock times / extended unlock times Door Hold Open Alarms Req...
By Brian Rhodes - 9 months ago
Controlling access to hazardous environments require equipment meeting specific ratings that certify they will not start fires. Understanding those ratings mandate careful selection. Inside this note, we explain: Where is explosion proof access...
By Brian Rhodes - 10 months ago
Do not buy my company's product. It sounds strange indeed, but a senior Allegion consultant stated that maglocks should not be used in common applications. Considering Allegion owns one of the most familiar maglock brands Schlage, the statement ...
By Brian Rhodes - 10 months ago
Failures and set backs in the smartlock business have been commonplace (e.g., Lockitron Admits Failure and issues from our 2017 Kevo test). But $20 billion publicly traded company Assa Abloy just acquired smartlock maker August, so the biggest ac...
By Brian Rhodes - 11 months ago
