Increase your Access Control Systems’ ROI with Time & Attendance

Access control systems bring increased safety and security to a facility. They do this by controlling who may enter the premises by use of identifiers such PINs, credentials or biometrics, and permitting the exterior doors to remain locked, thereby discouraging unauthorized entries.

Frequently the access control function is further enhanced by monitoring the doors for forced, propped and locked status. By monitoring for forced door, break-ins can be annunciated. Propped door conditions are commonly caused by employees who intentionally leave a door ajar so they can step out for a smoke without being locked out or being required to use their credential to re-enter the facility. Monitoring a door for locked/unlocked status provides security management with the ability to determine if a door is properly secured.

Many electronic access control systems (EACs) maintain user lists and activity logs. Each system user is on the list, along with relevant personal information such as their name and department, the unique identifier of the credential they were issued, and perhaps their image.

Often users are assigned access privileges, as to when they may access and which doors they can enter.

The specific system design determines what features the system provides, and if monitoring and system management is performed in real time or manually as required.

Time & Attendance systems have a lot in common with EAC systems. With the convergence of technologies, numerous Time & Attendance systems are hitting the market which are easy to implement, and inexpensive enough to make them attractive to small to mid-size companies who have a need to track their employee’s arrival and departure, as well as streamline the accounting and payroll process.

There are a few differences between EAC and time and attendance systems. For one thing, if an access control system is used to monitor both entry and egress, two readers are required for each door and the door is locked from both directions, otherwise people will forget to log out or they will deliberately circumvent the system.

Inhibiting free egress on a door in this fashion is problematic from a life safety standpoint. The Golden Rule of door control is that the safety of a system can never be sacrificed for security. Therefore it follows that safety cannot be sacrificed to streamline payroll accounting.

Another issue which applies to both EAC and Time & Attendance is adequately verifying the identity of each user. Traditional cards and fobs continue to persist in the majority of applications for EAC. Credentials, especially those with Photo-ID, are readily accepted as security management tools by Facility and Security, but not as readily by the accountants.

While sneaking out for a smoke might be handled as a relatively harmless prank, payroll fraud is not. Therefore, automating the data collection process for payroll purposes falls under the scrutiny of more eyes within the organization.

CCTV IMPORTS OA200-ID
CCTV Imports has introduced several Time & Attendance products which are easy to install and which address the issues associated with identity verification and simplify payroll processing.

The OA200-ID is one of the best time attendance and access control systems because of its multifunction, high technology and graceful design. This system is an excellent choice for companies, offices and governments. The OA200-ID can be used as a stand-alone unit or connected via Wiegand output to work with a standard access controller.

OA200-ID is supplied with a System CD, wall mount adapter, plug-in 12VDC power supply, accessory cables and sample proximity cards. The Time & Attendance Software and system manual are on the CD. We had few issues installing the software, and the manual was pretty clear and enabled us to program the unit quickly.

The unit has an integral biometric finger scanner and English language prompts which advise the user if the finger scan was successful. The biometric scanner worked well. The integral Prox card reader is very sensitive, and has pretty good range.

Users’ fingers are enrolled with the unit, while user name and other details are enrolled into the software, and then sent to the 0A200-ID unit.

The OA200-ID operates standalone, and only requires temporary connection to a PC for updating the door unit or capturing activity logs for export to payroll.

Outputs on the OA200-ID include dry contacts for operating an electric locking device, communications ports for RS485, RS 232 ANS TCP/IP, and a Wiegand data output so the OA200-ID integral Prox reader can be connected to an external electronic access control.

The faceplate of the terminal has a keypad, Prox reader, the scanner and buttons labeled in and out. When an employee arrives, he or she presses the “In” button and presents a credential, at which time the individual’s name or ID number appears in the display. The person then presents a finger to the scanner and access is either granted or denied. Each person enrolls two fingers in case one of the fingers is not available (for example they have a boo-boo, or are holding a cup of coffee with that hand), they can use the alternate finger.

When they leave for the day, they repeat the process, only they press the “Out” button before hitting the sequence.

Standard fingerprint capacity is 2,000. Standard record capacity is 50,000. Multiple identification methods are possible fingerprint only, card only, card plus fingerprint and ID card reader.

Additional features include:

—Improved core module
—32-bit embedded Arm system
—Super dual processor
—Standard Port RS232/485, TCP/IP (optional ), Wiegand26
—Size 140(w)×190(h)×30(d)mm
—Working Current: 300mA
—Sleeping Current: <20uA
—ESD Tolerance: >15000V
—Power: DC 12V
—Temperature/Humidity: -10 to 60 degrees C, 20 to 80 percent

Some of terminology used in the operating manual and software is alien to locksmiths. We will have to learn the lingo.

I have a few clients who have actually asked me about Time & Attendance systems, so my learning time of this technology will hopefully be amortized by future sales.

CCTV Imports (established in 1995) has earned the reputation of a well-established, professional business whose priority is customer satisfaction. CCTV Imports has locations in Madisonville, LA, and City of Industry, CA, with additional offices planned to open in Miami and the United Kingdom in the near future. For more information, contact CCTV Imports at telephone 888-315-1219 or 800-490-9048 (West Coast), web site www.cctvimports.com