Commercial Door Access Control Systems
How did door access control originate?
Door access control systems started in the 60’s with key control in mind. Keys are way too often lost, duplicated or stolen. These days, tougher secure measures are necessary as criminals are always looking for the weakest point in any defense.
How does it all work?
The most common door access control systems utilize proximity or RFID technology. One would approach a “reader” and present a prox card, fob or enter a PIN which grants or restricts access to any door, parking garage etc. (anything you don’t want people to get into) by way of an electric locking device.
SmartCards, Keyfobs PIN, biometrics, facial recognition even breath analysis! There are many technologies claiming to be most secure but I still like the Key Fob / PIN combo (what you have and what you know) anyways, these technologies are issued and programmed into a computer. Program as much information as the situation merits and now the worry is out of your hands.
If the employee leaves and turns in the card or keyfob, it can be reassigned to the next employee. Employers like the hidden benefit of time and attendance – because each card not only allows access, but displays who came in, what time, and which door. This ultimately saves much time and money over the years.
Some of our clients even use the system as a security system as they can provide door alarms based on propped doors or forced openings.
Some clients prefer the imposing biometric machines that can read your fingerprint, retina or hand geometry. (On an interesting note, we also have facial recognition software that can see if you are a known threat or not. Then they can see if you just LOOK like a known felon by examining your height and weight in addition to the facial recognition. Pretty cool stuff!)
How much does it cost?
Typical card access control or keyfob systems cost somewhere in between $1200 – $3000 per door.
This range is due to:
- the number of doors on a system (the more doors you have, the cheaper it gets usually)
- the quality of the locking device – how secure you want your system to be?
- We create custom quotes for each client as each situation is different.