With the frequency of access points increasing across access control networks, end users will be excited to learn that fewer and fewer of those doors are required to be hardwired. This not only allows for a much for customizable network, it greatly reduces labor and materials costs, as well. A typical wireless router can support 12 to 25 access points and can be installed much faster than the associated wired door panel components. This is particularly great news for businesses in today’s tight economy.
There are currently three options for delivering centrally managed network access control.
- Wired Networks: The strengths of such a network include real-time monitoring, centralized management, constant power source, global lock down, audit reports, and more. However, of the three available networks, this typically comes with the highest total cost of ownership (TCO).
- Wireless Networks: What was once an inconsistent networking option, wireless is now an extremely valid choice. This technology has proven itself time and time again in fire intrusion and CCTV applications. And when it comes to access control networks, wireless provides the same functionality as wired networks, but at a fraction of the installation costs. Leading wireless systems also have built-in redundancy, such as mesh network, to ensure that the wireless network remains operational even if a particular router is down. Best of all, locks/readers can be easily relocated, allowing for a much more customizable network. Changing the configuration of a wired network is a very labor intensive and costly project.
- Virtual Smart Card Networks: Last but not least, a virtual smart card network is a great compromise between wired and wireless solutions. This type of network provides many of the same benefits of the first two networks, with a few additional advantages. First of all, access points never have to be updated as populations change. As users move throughout a building, updates and audit logs are regularly transferred to/from the database via online and offline access points. This is a much different philosophy than traditional wired or even wireless system design. Virtual Smart Card Networks also offer higher levels of data encryption on the card to prevent data tampering.
Of course, this is just an overview of these access control networks. For any further questions on Wired, Wireless, and Smart Card Access Control Networks, simply contact ARK Systems at 1-800-995-0189 or click here today.
When you consider how crucial security can be, and when you think of all the options that you’re faced with today, one thing becomes clear. You need a contractor with experience. For assessment, design, installation, testing and service, ARK is the expert across the board.
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