Showing posts with label Proximity Card. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Proximity Card. Show all posts

Monday, September 18, 2023

Sliding Gates vs Swinging Gates

Sliding Gates vs Swinging Gates 

Gates add value and security to your property. They’re also your main control for access to who goes in and out and serve as a point of entry to your home, business, and land.

The first electric gates were invented in 1881, and the benefits of the automated gates have also evolved, catering the needs of each generation of homeowners and business owners to increase the security and the convenience of opening and closing an entry point structure. Automatic gate systems use electric motors to open and close gates through the use of a transmitter.

When it comes to perimeter defences, the first thing that will likely jump to mind is the image of a security gate, and rightly so. Security gates are often the first line of defence for many businesses when it comes to keeping intruders away, establishing a strong perimeter, and sending out a message to criminals.

However, when planning defences for a site, or considering upgrading your existing measures, it’s important to think carefully about your needs and your site capabilities. Let’s take a look at two of the most popular options of gates and how they compare.

Swinging Gates

Swinging Gates are an excellent option for many businesses. As the name suggests they swing open and shut in a wide arc. Often priced cheaper than sliding gates, they typically don’t include motors or electronics. Swinging gates don’t require concrete work or steel beams, they are low maintenance and make little noise during operation. This means that they are well-suited to isolated or rural sites, or large expansive sites where access to the grid is more limited.

If considering swinging gates as a solution for your site, you should think carefully about the available space on your premises. Swinging gates need enough space to open internally and externally in a wide arc and so might not be suitable for some sites where space is at a premium. They might also be less suited if you have particular needs for high-tech upgrades such as access control equipment or other electronic support.

Sliding Gates

If you are looking for gates at a site where space is less readily available then sliding gates may be a more sensible solution. Rather than opening and closing in an arc, sliding gates slide in and out along a track or trackless cantilever system, which both employ less of a footprint.

Sliding gates are often seen in more commercially-led settings, entrances, and residential driveways. They can be employed on rough ground and even on sloping ground if required. They are a good choice if you operate in a setting that has high-wind speeds and other unpredictable weather factors.

Unlike swing gates, sliding gates can be upgraded with access control equipment such as electronic keys, cards, fingerprint biometric readers and intercoms. These additions will always make a site more secure, however, they do come with added costs.

Confuse as to what type of gate to choose? You might wanna consider these insights.

The main advantages of sliding gates are:
• They aren’t affected by wind
• They don’t take up space on your driveway when opening and closing
• The gate can slide from the left or the right, depending on where you have space
• If you don’t have the space required, there are other types of sliding gates, such as telescopic sliding gates or bi-parting sliding gates, that take up less space.

The advantages of double swing gates:
• A double swing gate takes up less area when in operation
• They are less affected by wind
• As the weight is distributed between two gates, there is less stress on the swing gate motor, posts, and hinges.

The advantages of single swing gates:
• There are only one gate and one set of hardware to automate it, so you’re up for less installation and maintenance (assuming you purchase quality parts, as the load on all parts will be greater).

General swing gate fitting information:

• With swing gates, there are two options as to where to install the hinge. You can install the swing gate opener on the sides of your posts parallel to each other facing inwards, or on the side that faces into your property. If you do the latter, the fixings are hidden by the posts and the swing gates take up less space. 
• If your driveway slopes up from the road and there’s no room for a sliding gate, you can install a swing gate that opens outward. Just make sure it doesn’t interfere with public spaces.

Get in touch

Arranging effective perimeter security is not something that you should go at alone. No matter the size or nature of your business, we can provide you with a free, no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess the security requirements of your organisation. For more information on any of the security options above, or for further advice on how to protect your business premises from criminals, please contact us here or Email us on ssaintegrate@gmail.com

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Hands-Free Upgrade of Access Control System

Hands-Free Upgrade of Access Control System 

Access control systems also let employers restrict the locations each employee can enter, setting levels of security to balance their workers' safety and convenience. When an employee leaves the company, their credentials can simply be deactivated to prevent them from gaining unauthorized access. With access control security, you know who enters your business, when they enter and what door they use. These systems also include analytics that allow you to track where your employees are. In addition, they allow you to section off rooms or areas to authorized employees and receive reports of suspicious activity, such as if someone tries to enter an area where they don't belong. 
Social Distancing is the new norm of life and need to be practiced across the daily paths. While the governing authorities work for developing solutions to take care of human life, it is essential for various establishments to work out their own precautionary measurements to create safe and risk-free environment. Wireless access control systems are fast and easy to install. They save time and money for sites that have hard-to-wire buildings, remote gates and elevator applications. Addressing COVID-19 Concerns by Upgrading Existing or Non-Existing Access Control System to Hands-Free Wireless access control with non-Chinese factory product. 
Several companies have entered the mobile access card market, but they have not set up a meaningful product solution stream until 2019. In 2020, forecasts show that the mobile access card market will grow far more rapidly. Reviewing new entries into the market allows identification of the latest products that provide improving solutions to compatibility and speed problems.

How long before your phone replaces your access credentials at work? Mobile devices are everywhere. Number of mobile phone users alone was forecast to reach over 4.7 billion this year, with more than 60% of the world’s population already owning a mobile phone.  Smartphones have already begun to replace traditional lock-and-key setups in the home, and with the business world continuing to move in a more smartphone focused direction, a world where you tap your phone to gain access to your office probably isn’t too far off. The technology already exists, but implementation is not without its hurdles. While generally outweighed by the benefits, there are several potential challenges when it comes to using your Smartphone as a credential. Smartphone have become ubiquitous, but cards and FOBs are still cheaper to produce. Even though users are likely to have their phone on them constantly, access badges usually include a picture and are always meant to be visible. Still, as the technology improves, it’s likely that Smartphone verification is going to become more prevalent. One application that we’re seeing growth in is for mobile-enabled workforces to use smartphones and mobile devices as keys to gain access to secured buildings, rooms and areas. As this trend becomes more commonplace, it’s worth weighing the pros and cons.

 

Mobile Benefits

Firstly, let’s look at the benefit of using your smart phone as access credentials for your building.

  • ·  Smartphones are more secure than traditional access cards or FOBs. With the introduction of biometrics in modern smart phones (fingerprint sensors and face ID), even though someone might be able to get their hands on someone else’s phone, it’s no guarantee that they’ll be able to unlock it.
  • ·     Smartphone-based credentials are very difficult to clone.
  • ·  Smartphone-based implementations can reduce installation costs by leveraging an asset that everyone is already carrying around with them.
  • ·    Smartphone credentials are capable of much more than traditional card-based systems. Smart phones are capable of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), location awareness, mass notifications, and revocation can be done remotely.
  • ·      HR should be thrilled with a smartphone app-based access control system, as much less time will be needed to set up and issue credentials than issuing new keys and cards or replacing them. 

Finally, if you choose a provider who has created a secure app with credential storage in a secure cloud or location other than the phone, the security is even greater. Biometrics (the use of fingerprints) can even be used to access the key, since smartphones now include that capability. 

Essentially, even if someone did manage to steal the phone and crack the pin to open it, they would still need the proper information (or fingertips) to open up the app and access the key. 

A strong app will also have deep levels of encryption that will prevent the Bluetooth signal from simply being copied and replayed to open the lock.

Potential Challenges

Of course, as new technology emerges, there will be pushback. This isn’t a bad thing as it forces developers to overcome roadblocks to make systems as secure as possible. The difficulty comes from separating valid objections from merely an aversion to change. Going forward, the biggest issues with mobile credentials are:
·       Physical return of credentials. When someone parts ways with an employer, a physical access card or FOB would be collected. With a smart phone-based system (especially in a case where employees are bringing their own devices) this is obviously problematic. You can’t ask an employee to turn in their. The only solution to this problem is to ensure that your protocol for remotely disabling credentials is foolproof. If it is, this issue becomes a benefit, as you can revoke credentials at any time. Forgetting to have a card turned in or encountering any resistance from an employee is no longer a factor.
·   
Lack of a picture ID. With many physical access cards, a photo of the employee will be added as a second form visual verification. These cards are often clipped to an employee’s shirt or belt making it visible at all times and allowing people to identify them immediately. Phones are generally kept in pockets and would only be brought out at an access point. This issue’s importance will vary based on your business’ level of sensitivity when it comes to your assets or people. Additionally, all modern access control systems allow for a head shot to appear when credentials are presented to a reader. If a picture has been taken of the employee, and someone is present to identify them, they can verify that the person who presented the card or phone is the proper individual. It’s even possible to speak with the person in video which will allow for facial recognition with CCTV integration with the access control software.

One reason for the high expected growth for usage of smartphones as digital access control keys is that mobile technology is already widely used for identification, authentication, authorization and accountability in computer information systems. Another reason is that using mobile devices as keys aligns perfectly with the mobile-first preferences of today’s workforces. Using mobile devices as keys not only delivers a convenient user-experience. It also helps boost operational efficiency and satisfaction of today’s mobile-enabled workforces. As important, it represents a more cost-effective, simpler way for companies to manage identification credentials as it eliminates numerous manual tasks related to handling, printing, distributing and disposing of physical identity badges.

When all is said and done, one of the biggest benefits that those who choose to implement mobile credentials will see is lower installation costs. The SIA points out that “A smartphone credential adds significant functionality over a traditional credential and is always upgradeable to add new capabilities – all for the same cost, or less…Also, users do not require a reader to enter a door, so enterprises can eliminate readers on most doors to keep the entrance looking clean and to reduce installation costs.” When you couple this with the other benefits of mobile credentials, it becomes clear that this will more than likely become the preferred method of access control for most workplaces in the near future.


ASSA ABLOY, Suprema being a pioneer in multiple doors opening and access controlling technology, provides such critical solutions suitable for wide segments of commercial spaces. With easy and safe access for authorized personal, without compromising on the security needs of the organizations, the contactless access readers and exit switches for sliding and swinging door operators. 

Aperio is first Wireless Online Access Control technology that enables mechanical locks to be wirelessly linked to an existing access control system. In terms of formats, three common methods of mobile credentials are used in access:

  • BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy)
  • NFC (Near Field Communication)
  • App Based Credentials

‘Mobile access cards’ is one of the terminologies that everyone has been talking about. RF cards used for access security are being integrated into smartphones just as digital cameras and MP3s were in the past. While people might forget their access cards at home in the morning, they seldom forget their smartphones. Using smartphones for access control increases entry access reliability and convenience.

Structurally which method is used makes a big difference for overall mobile access performance. In general, access manufacturer data sheets will detail which/how many methods are available with their product, with each method having different limitations and benefits.

The breakdown below shows the major differences between types:

For example, notice the difference in Range between the three formats. While NFC range is short (typically less than 9 inches), the range for BLE is longer at ~150 feet, while App systems essentially have ranges only limited by Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity.
In other cases, which method is used impacts reliability too. For example, with HID Mobile, using BLE is less reliable for connecting to the reader than NFC, and because different phone types may limit which method is options used, overall user experience is often determined by which mobile access method they use.
Another valuable aspect of mobile credential is that it makes it possible to issue or reclaim cards without face-to-face interaction. Under existing access security systems, cards must be issued in person. Since card issuance implies access rights, the recipient’s identification must be confirmed first before enabling the card and once the card has been issued, it cannot be retracted without another separate face-to-face interaction. In contrast, mobile access cards are designed to transfer authority safely to the user's smartphone based on TLS. In this way, credentials can be safely managed with authenticated users without face-to-face interaction.
Mobile cards can be used not only at the sites with a large number of visitors or when managing access for an unspecified number of visitors, but also at the places like shared offices, kitchens and gyms, currently used as smart access control systems in shared economy markets.
The market share of mobile access cards today is low even though the capability can offer real benefits to users and markets. While the access control market itself is slow-moving, there are also practical problems that limit the adoption of new technologies like mobile access cards.

The first problem is usability: compatibility and speed.
While NFC could be an important technology for mobile credential that is available today on virtually all smartphones, differences in implementation and data handling processes from various vendors prevents universal deployment of a single solution to all devices currently on the market.
 
Accordingly, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) has been considered as an alternative to NFC. Bluetooth is a technology that has been applied to smartphones for a long time, and its usage and interface are unified, so there are no compatibility problems however, speed becomes the main problem. The authentication speed of BLE mobile access card products provided by major companies is slower than that of existing cards.
The second problem is that mobile access cards must be accompanied by a supply of compatible card readers. In order to use mobile access cards, readers need to be updated but this is not a simple task in the access control market. For 13.56 MHz smart cards (which were designed to replace 125 kHz cards), it has taken 20 years since the standard was established but only about half of all 25 kHz cards have been replaced so far. Legacy compatibility and the need for equivalent performance, even with additional benefits, will drive adoption timing for the Access Control market.

While BLE technology helps resolve the compatibility problem of mobile access cards, we can identify some breakthroughs that can solve the speed problem. Authentication speed is being continuously improved using BLE's GAP layer and GATT layers, and new products with these improvements are now released in the market.

Making use of key improvements allows Suprema's mobile access card to exhibit an authentication speed of less than 0.5 seconds providing equivalent performance to that of card-based authentication.

MOCA System's AirFob Patch addresses the need for technological improvements in the access control market in a direct, cost effective, and reliable way – by offering the ability to add high-performance BLE to existing card readers – enabling them to read BLE smartphone data by applying a small adhesive patch approximately the size of a coin.
 
This innovative breakthrough applies energy harvesting technology, generating energy from the RF field emitted by the existing RF reader – then converting the data received via BLE back into RF – and delivering it to the reader.
 
By adding the ability to use BLE on virtually any existing RF card reading device, MOCA allows greater ability for partners and end users to deploy a technologically-stable, high performance access control mobile credential solution to their employees, using devices they already own and are familiar with. Adding MOCA AirFob Patch eliminates the need to buy and install updated readers simply to take advantage of mobile credential, lowering costs and risks, and increasing employee confidence and convenience.


Sunday, March 5, 2017

Access control in education sector

Access Control in Education Sector

Controlling access to school campuses and buildings is an important issue for school administrators. They need to maintain a user-friendly, welcoming school climate while ensuring that the facility is safe and secure, both when school is in session and when the buildings are unoccupied.

What is access control?
Access control provides the ability to control, monitor and restrict the movement of people, assets or vehicles, in, out and round a building or site.

Access control is essential for all businesses to protect people and assets and has the added benefit of being expanded from controlling, for example, a single entrance door, to a large integrated security network. There are also huge potentials in terms of integrating HR and other systems, such as Time and Attendance, Visitor Management, ANPR, Fire, Intruder and CCTV, which can cut costs and streamline administration costs.
What risks does the average office face and how can these be countered by access control?
Electronic access control systems are increasingly being used to enhance safety and security in educational establishments.

The average educational establishment has a transient population with many high value goods such as computers and IT equipment, not to mention the personal possessions of staff and students, which are extremely attractive for thieves.
Access control systems are all designed to allow access only to people with the necessary authority to ensure that goods and people are protected.

Educational establishments have a duty of care to provide a safe environment for pupils and staff and the application of access control can therefore help manage known or anticipated threats.

Generally systems comprise three component parts:
1. The physical barrier – to physically restrict access to a building or location via such methods as:
• Doors: secured by either a electromagnetic or strike Lock or can be revolving or sliding.
• Turnstiles and speedgates: designed to limit access to one person for one card presented.

2. The identification device – There are a number of different technologies used to identify users of an access control system, such as:
• A proximity card and reader using RFID – cards can either work at a short read range or a long read range.
• A smart card and reader.
• A swipe card and reader.
• PIN pads.
• Biometric (fingerprint, iris scanning).

3. The door controller and software – The door controller and software are at the heart of the system and are used to decide who can gain access through which access point at what time of the day. These can vary dependent on the size of the system and how many readers or sites you are trying to control from one point.
Some of the options include:
• A standalone door controller linked to a single door with no software.
• A number of door controllers all linked together to a single PC to control one site.
• A number of sites all interlinked together over a wide network area.

What added benefits can access control systems bring to educational establishments?
Protection during school hours is paramount, and the following added benefits come from access control:

Visitor monitoring
In an environment where visitors can blend in with the staff and pupils, the use of PC and computer networks should be considered. These systems can print photographic ID and allow access to be restricted to certain areas within the office. Moving to a software solution for visitor management is an easy and inexpensive solution and can provide a number of added benefits.

The system was designed to ensure the smooth operation of a 100,000 square metre complex, spread over five buildings with both students, staff and visitors accessing the different facilities sometimes at high volumes. A Smart Card system was developed which provides not only access to designated areas, but also allows all sites to be linked via a modem, allowing administration from a central point.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition
For college and university sites where students may be driving in and parking onsite, Automatic Number Plate Recognition may be a viable option. To monitor the entrance of vehicles on site, CCTV-style cameras and computer software can be used to identify number plates of vehicles. Some systems can also store photographs of the driver and vehicle for subsequent analysis. This sophisticated software allows critical information to be passed to the police to assist in the pursuit, identification and capture of offenders.

What key considerations should be taken into account when considering access control?
The outcome of the risk assessment for your office will determine the level of security you require and in turn influence your choice of access control system to be used. BSIA access control members and professional security consultancies can assist with this.

BSIA members go through rigorous checks before they are admitted into membership, meaning you are selecting quality companies to achieve peace of mind. Below are just some of the reasons why you could benefit from using the services of a BSIA member:

·        Independently inspected to the quality standard ISO 9001 with a UKAS accredited inspectorate.
·        Compliant with relevant British and European Standards and codes of practice.
·        Financially sound.
·        Professional.
·        Staff vetting conducted (where appropriate).
·        Technically proficient.
·        Committed to quality training and development.
·        Up-to-date with the latest developments in British and European policy and legislation.

Is there any legislation I should be aware of?
The Disability Discrimination Act was amended in 2005 and has significant impact not only in terms of the design of new systems, but also means that many systems may need to be upgraded to ensure compliance. This is of particular importance also for educational establishments as employees, pupils and visitors will all need to have adequate and user-friendly access to the building.
The BSIA has created a guide to help design access control systems following the introduction of the revisions which can be downloaded from www.bsia.co.uk/publications

Other legislation to be considered in relation to educational establishments is:

National minimum care standards
Health and Safety at Work Act
Occupiers Liability Act
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations


Wednesday, March 17, 2010

About ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM

ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS
This door won't open for everyone-that's the idea behind Door Access Systems. In other words, through these systems only authorized persons are allowed access to a particular area / or areas of a building.
Door Access Systems are extremely cost effective way to provide a high level of security in homes and offices.

PROXIMITY ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS
The core of Proximity system is the Proximity Reader and Proximity Card. There are two types of readers in the market - One that has an inbuilt controller with capability to authorize access with or without being connected to a PC. The other kind requires a PC to be connected at all times.

Depending upon the configuration of the premises, one or more readers may be used. If more than one reader is used then it is called a Networked system, which is usually connected to a PC. Some systems use a 8 core or a 16 core wire for connecting all the Readers while some systems use only 2 core wire, thereby reducing the cost of wiring and maintenance.

The better systems have readers that can be used interchangeably in a standalone or a networked configuration. Also, some systems have bulky controllers attached to the readers that require a separate source of power as well as add to the cost. The current day readers have built-in controllers and can be directly connected to a PC.

Another use of Proximity systems is to record attendance for employees. For recording attendance, minimum two readers are required - one for IN and one for OUT. The employees are supposed to show their cards to the appropriate Reader upon arrival or exit. These transactions of IN and OUT are recorded in the attached PC. From the PC various reports can be printed.

Most of the Access control systems come with ready made attendance software as an option.

The advanced Proximity Based systems come with inbuilt Password Based system too. It is possible to specify if the employees can enter using Password alone or Proximity Card alone or Both are required. Such an option gives additional flexibility to define the Access Policy for the organization. Some other features of such systems are:

* Possible to define times of the day when the card is valid. Access granted if a valid Card is flashed and/or correct password is entered, provided the access is being attempted during the pre-authorized hours of the day.
* If an employee is under Duress to open the door then the Duress Entry option allows the opening of the door with alarm on the PC (if connected)
* Powerful software based on Windows OS that does not require a dedicated PC.
* Each Reader (one for each door) can be designated as an Incoming Door or an Outgoing door or an Internal door or Exit on Duty door.
* Capacity Upto 1000 users (employees)
* Each user can be assigned a Password and/OR a Proximity Card
* Users are assigned to groups and privileges are declared at Group level for easy administration
* Possible to define IN/OUT time for a Group on the day of the week basis. Beyond the defined times the Controller will not grant access and will record the event in the PC as Access denied to .
* User Groups can be restricted to certain Controllers and the valid time zones can be defined for each day of the week
* Special alarm events (e.g. Forced entry) can be monitored on the PC
* Option to lock out Controller for one minute if three wrong attempts are made in one minute
* Changes in configuration settings can be easily downloaded to all Controllers easily for the PC.
* Even after Power failure, the Controller retains the last properties defined/downloaded on it.
* Even in case of PC failure, the Controller can continue to operate the Access control system using the last properties defined/downloaded for that Controller. However, recording of events in not possible in such a case
* Access denied events (e.g. employee trying to enter at odd hours) can also be recorded
* Duress entry option allows entry like normal entry but logs an alarm event on the central PC.

GENERAL FEATURES
* Relay output for connection to door strikes/latches
* Independent NO/NC (programmable) input for connection to a switch for opening the door from inside.
* Elaborate Audio and Visual signals in response to commands
* Programmable duration for Time to open the door and Time to close the door, if connected with a magnetic switch
* Tamper switch output separately available
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
The Readers/Controllers have to be connected with electromagnetic latches/strikes to control the doors. Also, wiring could be a significant cost.

Magnetic Swipe Card System
Here one has to insert a tamper-proof photo ID card into a reader, which scans it, and only then the person can enter the premises. These systems can work with or without computer connectivity and can be further used for Time Attendance with Pay Roll Accounting facility.

SEMI PROXOMITY DOOR ACCESS STSTEM
Functionality same as the proximity door access system, except that here the range is up to 6 inches (approx).

NUMERIC LOCK WITH PIN FACILITY
These locks which are used widely in brief cases, can also be installed at the door. Here the person has to enter a particular code like 123 and only then the can opened.

BIOMETRIC FINGERPRINT ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS
In recent times, there are large number of Biometric Systems that are commercially available. Such Biometric systems are based on unique characteristics of human being. The most common, reliable and successful system is the one based on Finger Prints. Users are supposed to put their thumb/index finger (or any specified finger) in the finger reader. The system then compares the finger print that is read with that in the central database for authentication.

Most of the Biometric Systems do not keep an image of the fingerprint but a template. A template is basically a number that is calculated based on various characteristics of the fingerprint. Such an approach is desirable so that unauthorised persons may not sneak in unauthorised images of finger print in the database. When a Finger print is to be matched, it's 'template' number is computed and compared with that stored in the database. Most systems allow for dry, greasy, chaffed and minor cuts on the fingers.

RETINA BASED DOOR ACCESS SYSTEM
A biometric security system isn’t limited to reading only an individual’s fingerprints, it could also read that person’s retina. A retinal scan involves analysing the blood vessels at the back of the eye. Low intensity light is used to scan the unique patterns of the retina. This is a very accurate system if the individual being scanned cooperates properly with the technology and focuses on the given point.

BIOMETRIC FACIAL RECOGNITION SYSTEM
Facial recognition, a further biometric characteristic which can be employed as the basis for an entry system, analyses facial characteristics. A digital camera will develop a file of a user’s face for authentication. This type of recognition is still quite complex and thus reserved for a niche market. It has become quite popular in casinos where it has been employed to create a facial database of scam players for quick detection by security personnel.

VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEM
A voice recognition system is based on a voice-to-print authentication. Technology transforms voice into text which is then compared with a stored sample. This identity system requires a microphone and could shortly be seen to have replaced security systems used currently such as pins and passwords. Although it is quite an accurate technology, people feel safer if this authentication method is combined with finger-scan technology in their identity systems as this is believed to be much more accurate.

PALM BASED DOOR ACES SYSTEM
Here the person has to place his palm over the reader which on finding it similar to the one stored allows the person's entry.

AUTOMATIC SLIDING GATES BARRIERS OR AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS
These are used I airports, railways and big hotels and in those industries where sanitized and dust free environment is very essential e.g. pharmaceutical, software, food packaging etc.

PC BASED ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS
The systems currently being offered in the market come in with variety of features to cater to different types of requirements. Along with the basic security functions of validating and controlling access, the PC based systems offer optional features like Time and Attendance, MIS Reporting etc., providing the management with a lot of value- added benefits. Some of the most useful features include:

Multiple entrance/exit monitoring. The capacities ranging from a few users to hundreds of users - easily configurable for organization of any size.

The system can interface with the personnel information files that may be there already in a computerized environment. This makes the installation quick and reduces the data-entry errors.

Flexible Time zones - highly useful for controlling entry / exit as per shift timings; Basically, the PC based systems offer the possibility of programming the rules of entrance and exit.

PC based systems are very user friendly and offer unmatched flexibility in setting up various parameters.

PC based systems also keep the record of the transactions on the hard disk for extended periods of time.
User selectable personal identification numbers - provides additional security.