CARD ACCESS SYSTEMS Although this section is titled ”Card Access Systems” the appropriate title is more correctly ”Access Control Systems”. Other types of access control use telephone, internet, biometrics, various keychain devices, and digital keypads (just to name a few). Ninety-five percent of all access control functions are accommodated by the use of a card however, hence the commonly accepted term of "Card Access".

Card access systems have become a very common element in day-to-day operations of many businesses. Card systems over the following advantages:

1. Replace the use of keys for building access – a lost key can compromise the security of an entire building; to re-key a building can be expensive! A lost card is simply deprogrammed and replaced by a new programmed card!
2. Allow selective access to building facilities – software programming can restrict access by cardholder, by day of the week, by time of the day and by individual doors.
3. Provide information about access card activity – reports can be provided from the card access systems database giving management insight into various employee/business activity. This is not possible with keys.
4. Selectively lock and unlock doors automatically – through the software program, doors can automatically be locked and unlocked on various schedules reducing manpower normally required for such tasks.
5. Convenience in access - the proximity card technology will essentially ”read” through most media except metal. As a result, a proximity card can be left in a wallet or purse and still provide a valid card read. Readers can be mounted inside a glass window or door and still work properly and reliably. Mounting flexibility is a definite asset.

Today’s card access systems are predominately ”proximity” systems. Magnetic stripe, bar card, and weigand technologies are also used occasionally. Magnetic strip and bar code devices can also be incorporated within a proximity card, creating a multiple use card. Biometric devices are also available for use encompassing voice, eye (retina scanning) and handprint recognition. The relatively high cost and slow processing speeds of these systems has relegated their use to high security, low volume applications (i.e. log on access to a computer main frame system).

In addition to the standard card, proximity technology can also be incorporated within tags, chips and devices. The use of a numerical keypad for a personal identification number (PIN) input with a proximity card reader is an inexpensive and effective way to increase the security flexibility at a specific door. These applications can be pro to use only a card, only the PIN, or a combination of card and PIN depending on the extent of security required.

EPS primarily uses PCSC and DSX equipment. These systems are PC based with comprehensive, user-friendly software programs. These systems can utilize most available reader and card technologies on the market today.

Most card access systems have the capability to process alarm input data as well as card reader inputs. As a result larger buildings, and in particular proprietary systems, will use an integrated card access/intrusion alarm approach to resolve the building security issues. Both PCSC and DSX systems will accommodate alarm signal inputs. Most field control panels will handle card reader inputs and alarm inputs The PCSC IQ series (IQ200, 600 and 1000) controllers and the DSX 1020, 1022 and 1040 series controllers will handle both card reader and alarm inputs. Special panels (such as the DSX-1044) are available to accept large numbers of alarm inputs only for use in applications with large intrusion alarm systems.

Both PCSC and DSX systems utilize a distributed data base approach with field control panels that report to a head-end CPU. With the distributed data base approach, the head-end CPU software is downloaded to the microprocessor based field control panels on a routine basis. If communication between a field control panel and the head-end CPU is lost, the field control panel continues to process all access control data without degradation using the last down loaded database. Once communication is reestablished, the field control panel will transmit all transactions to the head-end CPU for historical/report use. Early card access systems that relied on the CPU for all card transaction processing, defaulted to a degraded mode upon communication failure. The advent of the powerful microprocessor chips has essentially eliminated the need for a degraded mode of operation.

More about PCSC and DSX can be found on their websites - http://www.1pcsc.com http://www.dsxaccesssys.com

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