Access Control Upgrade, One Door At A Time

In our access control vernacular, upgrading means graduating from a key-based mechanical system to a credential-based electronic system. You may be updating an existing lock or setting up a new system.

Although door control systems range in size from one to hundreds of doors, the majority of door control systems are one to four doors.

Your customers may have multiple sites where only one or two doors require access control at each site. Whatever the ultimate size of the system, access control systems are built up one door at a time.

If you have a client who is new to access control, you will be faced with a few hurdles.

One hurdle will be if the customer is self-educated expert who has picked up jargon from the Internet or from advertisements. This type of client can be combative and not interested in your advice as a security professional. This client may have gotten some pricing from the home improvement sites or eBay. It’s all plug and play, and the locksmith’s role will be to try to complicate things and overcharge them, these customers sometimes think.

Another hurdle may be that your client is fearful of technology, and also resents that they have been saddled with yet another responsibility; that of procuring and then managing a new system.

Many end-users shy away from electronic computer-based equipment because they fear becoming further entrapped by IT. There is no question that most of us have been the victim of abuse from bad tech support folks.

One possible solution is the eIDC32 (Ethernet Enabled Integrated Door Controller) from infinias. It is both powerful and simple to use.

Leveraging Power over Ethernet (PoE), the eIDC32 only requires a single network cable running to your door, providing tremendous cost-savings and flexibility when installing access control. Additionally, with multiple inputs and outputs and up to two readers per door, the eIDC32 will power your door accessories.

Did we mention it’s small? Anywhere you can install a double gang wall box, you can put an eIDC32.One controller is required for each door.

Programming is via PC either connected directly or through a network. The device does not require a network connection in order to control a door as it has integral storage for cards, settings and activity logs.

The device can operate as a single unit and be monitored in real time over the network, or can be used with Intell-M Access software in a server-client arrangement where multiple doors and sites may be administered with workstations on the network.

The eIDC may be powered using PoE or a power supply. Connect it to the network, configure it and you're done.

Installation

The eIDC32 is designed to fit in either a double-gang (four square) box or our surface mount box. Attach the plaster ring to the box, and the eIDC snaps into place. With two stops, the first keeps the controller standing out from the plaster ring so it can be wired without having to hold the controller and making the terminal blocks easy to access. The second position keeps the eIDC flush with the plaster ring so the cover plate can be attached.

LEDs on the front serve two purposes, to show activity while in operation, and on startup, they display the IP address of the controller.

An infrared tamper detect on the controller reflects off the back of the cover plate, raising an alarm if the cover plate is removed.

Intelligence

The eIDC32 is designed to be configured via the server then act independently, granting access on schedule and passing events back to the server. The controller boasts an impressive array of capabilities, including:

• Capacity for 64,000 credentials in managed mode (8,000 in standalone)
• Rolling event buffer of 16,000 events.
• If the controller cannot communicate with the server, events are stored locally and flushed up to the server when it reconnects.
• 254 Schedules to handle complex scheduling requirements
• Seven Holiday sets
• AES 128 bit encrypted communication
• DHCP or Static IP Addressing

Power

Input power can be provided several ways:

• With a PoE (Power over Ethernet) switch
• From a midspan that injects power just after the switch
• Single port injectors installed locally
• Directly powered with 24 VDC.  Maximum PoE cabling distance of 100 meters.

Standalone Capability

Need to secure a single door? The eIDC is an ideal solution. With an embedded web server and capacity for 8,000 cardholders, there's no separate server or workstation software. Just browse to the device's IP address, configure your system and go.

With a 16,000-event rolling storage of events, you can be sure to have the events you need, when you need them.

Executive Team Q&A

Locksmith Ledger interviewed several members of the Infinitas team about the eIDC. Thanks to Wayne Jared, president; Mike Compton, SVP sales; and Aaron Anderson, product manager, Observint Technologies. Following are Locksmith Ledger’s questions and their answers.

Infinias has been around for several years, and recently became a part of Observint. Who exactly is Observint?

Jared: Observint Technologies is a manufacturer and provider of cutting-edge, security-related technologies. Observint’s current technology portfolio includes:

Infinias – IP-based access control management software, Ethernet-enabled / PoE-powered door controllers, accessories

DIGIOP – video management software platform, purpose-built hybrid & network recording solutions

All Observint technologies are deeply integrated with each other, and with a broad range of integration partners, including:

Infinias – VMS solutions

DIGIOP – IP cameras, point-of-sale devices, video analytic devices/sw, access control

Observint provides a comprehensive support structure for all owned technologies, including:

• Sales support – regional field sales reps, inside account managers, manufacturer’s rep network
• Technical support – US-based tech support team, with direct access to product managers & engineers

Observint products are available through a targeted network of national, regional, and vertically-focused distribution partners.

Observint Technologies’ primary investor is The Carlyle Group, one of the world’s largest and most diversified global alternative asset management firms.

Can you review also Infinias' history and bring us up to date?

1998: Integral Technologies / Pelco invests in development of IP-based access control solution

2006: eIDC32 door controller introduced

2009: Infinias LLC established, technology divested from Pelco portfolio, Intelli-M™ Access v1.0 released

2010: Rules Engine added to Intelli-M Access software suite

2011: eIDC32 reengineered, Intelli-M Access Professional software version launched, I/O 32 Introduced for Elevator Control

2012: Infinias acquired by Observint Technologies, Intelli-M Access Corporate software version launched

There seems to have been a change in your marketing strategy. Where do locksmiths and security installers fit into this strategy?

Since joining the Observint portfolio, the infinias go-to-market strategy continues to evolve. However, locksmiths and security installers remain our primary customer. Over the course of 2013, Observint has focused on organizing company resources and building a comprehensive support structure to effectively support the accelerating adaption of our technologies.  Specific efforts include:

Sales – establish nation-wide coverage of regional field sales reps, inside account managers, and manufacturer’s rep network

Tech support – expanded tech support team in Indianapolis, with direct access to product managers & engineers

Product support – created/enhanced comprehensive product support materials - including product manuals & documentation

Training – expanded training capabilities and materials

Net – this foundation work (now in place) was developed to ensure a positive and improved customer experience for our locksmith & security installer customers.

In 2014, our marketing strategy will shift towards building much broader awareness with targeted customers and end-users, focused on education around the unique benefits and advantages of the infinias & DIGIOP technologies…

What products does infinias offer to professional security dealers?

infinias offers a comprehensive portfolio of TRUE IP access-control related technologies, including:

• Intelli-M™ Access – browser-based access control management platform…  available in essentials, professional, or corporate versions
• eIDC32 Door Controller – Ethernet-enabled, PoE-powered door controller
• Purpose-built servers
• Readers & credentials – fully integrated w/ the infinias solution
• Accessories – everything you need for a complete access control installation

infinias also offers regional certification training courses, required to purchase professional and corporate versions.

Does Observint offer any products directed exclusively towards the professional security market?

All Observint products fall under this category.

You are now offering eIDC 'kits.' What are the benefits/features?

Our pre-packaged kits bundle all hardware & software required for (most) typical access control installations

Kits include:

• eIDC32 Door Controller – Ethernet-enabled, PoE-powered door controller
• HID Proximity Reader
• Door Strike / Sensors (optional)

Benefits include:

• Simple to install, mounts at the door with a surface mount box
• Door controller connects to the closest network switch with a single Cat5/Cat6 cable
• PoE (Power over Ethernet) carries both data and power for both controller and door peripheral hardware
• Peer-to-peer communication keeps data flowing even if a server connection is interrupted
• 3-state alarm monitoring and anti-passback for enhanced security
• Buffers up to 16,000 local events when disconnected from the host (so events are never lost)
• Secure transmissions with end-to-end AES 128-bit encryption
• Features 32-bit processor for enhanced speed and performance

You are now offering smart phone capability. Is this feature built into the eIDC controller or is it an external module or built into the card reader?

 “Mobile Credential” is a software feature, available to all users running our latest version of Intelli-M™ Access software.  This is not hardware dependent or delivered thru the card reader/door controller.

We plan to launch this capability November 2013.

Mobile Credential is designed to extend capabilities of the infinias access control solution via smartphone, delivering enhanced security and eliminating the need for physical proximity cards or other traditional credentials.  Both Android and iPhone platforms are supported.

Unlike cards and other access credentials, people tend to be very aware of the location of their mobile phone. If a phone goes missing, the owner is aware of it very quickly, while the loss of a prox card could go unnoticed or unreported for days

Mobile Credential provides complete access control functionality, allowing authorized users to unlock doors from their mobile phone from anywhere they have cellular or wireless connectivity. 

As with any credential, users can only see or gain access to doors for which they have authorized access, and the credential is authenticated and the event recorded by the Infinias Intelli-M management software each time it is presented for use. 

If a phone is lost, or an employee terminated, the credential can be immediately “wiped” to eliminate the possibility of unauthorized access.

In addition to added security and increased functionality, infinias Mobile Credential can eliminate the expense of purchasing, maintaining inventory, and replacing prox card or key fob inventories.

Can older eIDC modules be upgraded to support this feature?

In essense, the answer to your question is yes – Mobile Credential is easily available to customers with older eIDC32 door controllers. This does not require a hardware update – as Mobile Credential is a software feature. Simply upgrading to the latest Intelli-M software (in November) will make this feature available.

For more information, contact infinias, 857 W. Carmel St., Carmel, IN 46032. Phone: 317-348-1086. Web: www.infinias.com.