Access Levels and Access Areas

What's the difference between Access Levels and Access Areas?

Access Areas are enclosed parts of the site where access is controlled by a Keypad, Card Reader, or Single Door Module. This will include the Default area (commonly called 'On-site'), which is the entire site enclosed by the fence and accessed through a gate or main door. It will also include any building where the door access is controlled by an access device, any floor accessed by an elevator keypad, and any gated or walled area within the property controlled by an access device. Access areas do NOT include individually alarmed units, alarmed office areas, or any other part of the site that does not have individual access-controlled doors or gates to enter.

Access Levels combine Access Areas and Time Schedules to control access for groups of users. This allows a site to easily issue access to a user by assigning them into a specific, pre-defined Access Level, without having to select new access privileges each time a new user is entered.  

After you have set up Access Areas and Time Schedules for a site, you create access levels that combine both. Most sites only have 2 - 3 Access Levels for the site:

·         One Access Level for customers who are limited to business hours and to areas that are considered 'On-site'.

·         One Access Level for customers that have 24-hour access to 'On-site' areas of the site.

·         One Access Level for employees that have 24-hour access to all parts of the facility.

Additional Access Levels may include:

·         Customers who have 'extended hours' (such as 6:00 am - 10:00 pm) and have access to 'On-site' areas of the facility.

·         If the site has individual buildings that are keypad-controlled, a separate access level could be set up for each building with the allowed hours for that building.

·         Employees can have separate access levels by shift and areas that they are allowed into.