wireless access control

Seamless Visitor Management

Using wireless access control provides necessary security tools

The most efficient visitor management and access control systems for corporations or private communities contain at least one element of wireless technology.

One of the biggest limitations of most security software systems is that they can only be used from a PC at a security station, whether that is a concierge desk or a guardhouse. But using wireless technology adds mobility to a corporation's security. Besides providing an added layer of protection, wireless technology also saves time and presents the visitor or guest with a seamless experience.

Devices for Multi-Processing

Many private communities provide security software that protects the homes, family and assets of its members, which may include CEOs, celebrities or political figures. Meanwhile, corporations are liable for the protection of their employees and company information.

Providing these layers of protection calls for all entrance and destination points to be able to communicate with each other in real time, particularly during periods of increased traffic or congestion, such as public events. This is where implementing wireless technology into a security system can present a major advantage. For example, in a gated community, while one officer or guardhouse processes a lane of traffic, another lane can be processed with a wireless handheld device. Similarly, while a corporation's guard is entering a visitor's information into the computer to print a badge, another guard may use a handheld device to process a second visitor and print another badge, eliminating wait time and increasing efficiency.

Lightweight ruggedized handheld devices use a security application that can run on operating systems such as Windows Mobile 6.1, MacOS and Android from Google. Combined with wireless Internet technologies like 3G networks, Wi-Fi or WiMax, wireless handheld solutions provide security officers with the proper tools to process visitors in any location, as opposed to being tethered to a desk or having to rely on radio or phone communications. Handheld technology enables security personnel to complete many actions in transit or heighten the security of a community.

Guards can process visitors while walking down a lane of cars, document security incidents and upload photos taken from the handheld device in real time. Completing the process, hosts who are expecting visitors can choose to receive text messages or e-mails on their wireless Blackberry, iPhone or other device, notifying them of a visitor's arrival. There is no delay in transmitting or receiving information.

At the Touch of Your Fingertips

Since many corporations have used the same software for years, they might not realize that with a few simple software updates, their current system can go wireless in a short time.

First of all, security officers must go through a training process to understand how to use both wireless technology and the individual handheld device. After becoming familiar with the tools and the technology, even business processes offered by staple security systems can be accessed via handheld solutions as well. Wireless ruggedized handheld technology can process a broad range of jobs, including scanning bar codes on visitor badges or arriving products, search capabilities—such as scanning an identity against terrorist lists, sex-offender lists or previous employee lists— guest check-in, guest car pass printing and guest pass deactivation.

Wireless technology truly provides a business' security force with the following abilities on the go:

Incident tracking on site. Incidents happen every day in business and within communities. Whether that incident is minor, like a traffic violation, or more significant, like a security breach, proper documentation is paramount to security. Wireless technology via handheld devices allows security officers to log incidents on site and review previous incidents as necessary. The need for extensive note taking is eliminated. Thanks to built-in cameras, officers no longer have to rely on their memory to recall information after the fact.

Data tracking. When security officers report to work, they log in and all transactions conducted by that individual are automatically tracked back to the individual's specific profile. This ensures data is tracked efficiently and permanently stored even with personnel changes. Data also can be disseminated resourcefully. For example, security officers can view a list of all upcoming events or activities and work ahead by printing visitor badges, tags and car passes via a wireless handheld device.

Reliability of wireless technology. All data on the handheld devices and main software is stored on a remote server, often referred to as a thick client. A network feature constantly monitors the connection to the server. If the connection is broken, due to a poor Internet connection or failed wireless network, for example, the application will attempt to reconnect so that no data is lost.

To maintain 100-percent uptime, many wireless devices can be configured to operate on the local wireless device database and synchronize every few minutes with a remote server. This type of data replication proves invaluable in the case of spotty wireless connections to the host server.

Featured

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

  • DHS to End ‘Shoes-Off’ Travel Policy

    Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced a new policy today which will allow passengers traveling through domestic airports to keep their shoes on while passing through security screening at TSA checkpoints. Read Now

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.