If you are looking to install a door access system for just one door, you may be tempted to pick the cheapest reader out there. While this works well for a residential premises, it may not work for a office.
A simple keypad card reader may work well for a small office of 10, it may not work for 50. And often in our selection, we need to consider the security needs of the business, and potential expansion and operational needs.
Office security requirement changes as the business go through the different stages of growth. And as staff changes, the need to keep track may also arise. Hence in planning an office door access, it may be good to look beyond the cost and consider the following.
Administration
Many standalone door access reader comes with a keypad that doubles for entering PIN as well as for Programming. Depending on the reader you choose, most of the commands are cryptic. You need to follow the steps carefully. A wrong step or pressing a wrong key may end up corrupting or messing out the programs.
Many standalone door access reader comes with a keypad that doubles for entering PIN as well as for Programming. Depending on the reader you choose, most of the commands are cryptic. You need to follow the steps carefully. A wrong step or pressing a wrong key may end up corrupting or messing out the programs.
Without a display screen or link to a computer, there is no way to extract what was programmed. Nor is it possible to extract the history and audit. And in programming and granting access rights, the administrator needs to keep track of the name of the staff, their ID and the card number that was assigned. This is to facilitate deletion of the user when the user is no longer with the company or have lost the card.
It is not uncommon for us to come to the rescue when our clients forgot the password or cannot remember how to program the system. In many cases, it was easier to completely reset the system and clear its memory.
So it is good to consider looking for a system that can be linked via wifi or have some display screen so you can see what was programmed.
Support
Even if it is a standalone door, it is good to have the reader installed by a certified security integrator who can be counted to be there for the years to come. We have come across many clients who could no longer contact their installer or remembered who installed the system for them.
Access Technologies
While cards may be the cheapest cost option, many standalone readers are now able to incorporate biometrics and mobile phone access at just a slightly higher cost. The additional $100 more is often worth that extra cost for it gives you greater security and flexibility. It also makes administration much easier.
