As a locksmith and security consultant, the goal is to select the most appropriate solution for your customers’ applications. The less product knowledge you have, the easier it is to make a selection but the less likely it will be an appropriate solution.
This is the stereotypical salespersons’ tactic; arrive at the client’s location already set on what will be offered. The salesperson has only limited product knowledge and even less professional concern for the successful completion of an installation that will adequately protect the customer. Their priority is to close (the sale).
After years of being the installer who was handed a box of equipment and sent out to install it, only to find it either didn’t fit the door, or do what the client wanted in the first place, I developed a dislike for “The Closers.”
So to help you acquire more product knowledge and therefore better enable you to help your client make the right choices, the Locksmith Ledger provides our monthly showcase of products to deepen your knowledge and broaden your horizons.
Cansec Via
Cansec’s Via Universal Wireless Lock brings the benefits of wireless to virtually any access control system. Unlike other wireless locks, it can be configured in under five minutes and does not require a PDA, tablet or smart phone to initialize it. A few simple DIP switch settings and you are done.
The Via Lock operates with 125 kHz HID and AWID cards and supports all Wiegand formats up to 64 bits. Locks communicate wirelessly to a Via Hub which can be located up to 70 feet (21 m) away in a typical office environment. Each Hub can support two Via Locks.
Three status LEDs on the reader make troubleshooting simple. The lock is powered by 4 AA batteries which will last approximately one year in a typical application.
Wiegand data is sent wirelessly to the Via Hub, which in turn sends the data to a Wiegand reader port on the associated access control panel for verification. If the lock relay operates, indicating that access is granted, the Hub will send a wireless unlock command to the reader at which the card was presented.
The high quality ANSI Grade 1 cylindrical lockset is suitable for use on interior or exterior wood or hollow metal doors from 1 3/8” to 2” in thickness (35-51 mm).
Features are:
- Configure in less than 5 minutes
- Supports 125 kHz HID and AWID cards
- Supports ANY Wiegand format to 64 bits
- Works with ANY access control panel
- Up to 70 ft (21 m) range
- Powered by 4 AA batteries
- ANSI Grade 1 cylindrical lockset
- Schlage C core
- Use on interior & exterior doors
- Built-in self diagnostics
- Wakeup every 5 minutes
- Via Universal Hub supports 2 readers
- Supports door contact input
More info: www.cansec.com
Essex Electronics
The SKE-34 is a heavy duty, self-contained access control keypad with features suitable for most residential, small commercial and harsh industrial access control applications. With a 2A relay on board, simply add power (5VDC or 12 to 24VDC) and the SKE-34 is ready to provide dependable access control. Rugged Stainless Steel construction and proprietary Piezoelectric Billion Cycle Switch Technology™ ensure performance in any environment (heat, rain, snow, ice -up to 3/8"). The SKE-34 is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Easily programmable through the Keypad, the SKE-34 features 502 Codes (1 Master, 500 User and 1 Temporary) and 3 Programmable Outputs (1 SPDT Relay rated at 2A at 24V max and 2 Open Collector 1/4A max to ground). The SKE-34 can be used to control a fail-safe or fail secure electric locking device. It can also be used to control a garage door or electric gate. Two 1/4A grounding outputs are available which can drive a relay (separate relays required) to open a second door, trigger a CCTV or doorbell or control an auxiliary device.
The SKE-34 is available with a Stainless Steel Bezel (SKE-34S), Black Bezel (SKE-34K) or Keypad without Bezel (SKE-34X).
iRox™ Series iRox™ and iRox Plus™ are heavy duty smart card readers with Genuine HID Technology™ . These all weather IP66 rated readers feature stainless steel construction, epoxy encapsulated electronics, audiovisual feedback and a vandal resistant recessed design.
iRox features iCLASS SE® which reads HID 13.56 MHz high frequency formats. iRox Plus with MultiCLASS SE® adds 125 kHz proximity for dual frequency applications
RoxProx™ is an extreme duty 125 kHz Proximity reader with Genuine HID Technology™ . RoxProx features include stainless steel construction, epoxy encapsulated electronics, audiovisual feedback and a low profile, vandal resistant design.
Essex RoxProx II is a heavy duty, low profile 125kHz proximity access control reader designed for all indoor and outdoor environments. RoxProx II features stainless steel construction, epoxy encapsulated electronics, customizable graphics and Genuine HID Technology™. Built to withstand the harshest environment yet attractively designed to complement any decor.
More Info: www.keyless.com
PAXTON net10 Promo Kit
Paxton’s compact net10 promotional kit has been designed to help security professionals effectively promote the net10 system, and the individual net10 products, to your potential customers. If you are already a net10 partner or approved partner, purchasing the promo kit will take you one step closer to gold partner status – increasing your purchasing discount to 30 pecent. The functioning items within the kit include the net10 desktop reader and net10 smartpoint, which work accompanied by a demo version of the net10 app.
Paxton’s net10 delivers out of the box access control, IP video management and building automation. It interfaces with existing building infrastructure to control lighting, heating, air conditioning, intruder and fire alarms. The system comprises a web-based user interface for easy building management and a selection of discreet hardware. net10 is a fully integrated building intelligence system providing security, convenience and energy efficiency.
More info: www.paxton-access.com
Rosslare Access Control
Rosslare Security Products, a division of Rosslare Enterprises Ltd., has been manufacturing high-quality security products since 1980. The company’s three main lines are Access Control, Intrusion Detection and Guard Patrol.
Rosslare covers the full gamut of access control products including; networked multi-door controllers and NVR integrated systems, standalone door controllers, many readers for various installation environments and technologies, PC monitoring and configuration software as well as a wide range of accessories.
Rosslare’s anti-vandal systems are developed to deliver reliable, robust and rugged products for a multitude of installation environments as well as waterproof and harsh weather conditions demands for both indoors and out.
Rosslare Product Families are:
- Access Control
- Networked Multi Door Controllers
- Video Enabled Networked Access Control
- Readers
- Wireless Access Control Door Interface
- Hardwire Intrusion – AuraSys™ Pro
- Hardwire Detectors
- Hardwire Sirens
ROSSLARE’s AC-015 Single Door, PC Programmable 2 Reader Controller is a powerful entry-level integrated solution for single-door access control, specially designed for a low-cost time & attendance solution.
It can be connected to two readers (in/out), lock-strike, door REX, and backup battery. This cost-effective, all-in-one unit is compatible with a range of readers and lock types, and includes user-friendly pc software for real-time monitoring and reporting.
The AC-015 is a compact, all-in-one, 500-user single door-access controller with an RS-232 serial port allowing for PC connection.
User-friendly PC software (AS-015) is provided for real-time event viewing and reporting.
The AC-015 can power and control the door strike, two Wiegand 26-Bit Proximity, PIN code or biometric readers, and REX input.
Unique built-in features include: tamper detection, bell sounder, backup battery charger, and keypad (which can be used as a PIN reader). The unit has multiple levels of security modes and user levels.
This product is an ideal solution for small residential, office, commercial, and institutional applications.
More Info: www.rosslaresecurity.com
Keri Systems i2Box
Keri provides systems from single door to enterprise-class and all types in between. Their product line includes integration with badging, video, telephone entry, and biometrics, and a system architecture that is built for today’s and tomorrow’s security and IT environments,
Just a few of the reasons to choose Keri for your project include:
Cost: Keri typically costs significantly less per door than other popular proximity-based systems.
Fit: Keri meets the requirements of 90% of all access control projects.
Simplicity: Easy to learn, configure, bid, install, and operate.
Expandability: You can add features as needed and grow one or two doors at a time to match user requirements.
Support: Pre-sale system design and post-sale installation support.
Keri System’s Ultra compact size, pre-loaded with Doors.NET Appliance Edition Access Control Software, is easy to install and suitable for installations up to 64 readers and 3000 cardholders.
• Eliminates errors and variability found in customer-provided or o -the-shelf PCs
• Turn it on, select your hardware type, then start programming immediately
• Small, quiet, IT-friendly/ready package with 4th generation Intel processor
• Comes with keyboard, mouse, pedestal base, and VESA-mount bracket
The Keri I2Box Appliance greatly simplifies installation because Keri’s Doors.NET Appliance Edition Software is pre-loaded and pre-licensed, ready to use immediately. It is an embedded mini appliance with keyboard and mouse that has the capability to manage an access control system of up to 64 readers and 3000 cardholders. Installers will appreciate the time and hassle it saves because it removes Windows® problems and other system issues commonly found when using a PC provided by the customer or purchased from a retailer.
The Appliance contains the Doors.NET Appliance Edition Application Server, Microsoft SQL Express® database, and selectable PXL-500, PXL-500/Entraguard, NXT, and Mercury Powered NXT Gateways that allow it to connect to any Keri controller type. Simply choose your hardware type and start configuring the system. The unit comes with rubber feet for horizontal placement, a pedestal base for vertical placement, and a rotating VESA Mounting Bracket for attachment to the back of a monitor.
More Info: www.kerisys.com
Vanderbilt’s lite blue™
Vanderbilt Industries’ lite blue™ offers 2-door web-based access control with expansion capabilities to eight devices. Designed in the same manner as their flagship bright blue® controller, utilizing embedded intelligence, lite blue does not require special software or a dedicated PC. This convenience allows you the flexibility to manage your system from anywhere with internet access.
Built on the Authentic Mercury™ controller platform, the lite blue controller includes two on-board reader interfaces, thereby allowing for easier installation and greater cost savings. lite blue boasts the same easy-to-use software as bright blue and is easily upgradeable to a full bright blue 32-door system if the need arises to expand your system.
Vanderbilt lite blue supports standard Wiegand devices, Schlage AD Series electronic locks, and various card formats and technologies such as proximity, smart card, magnetic stripe and Bluetooth®.
For a complete security solution, Vanderbilt Video Management packages are designed whereby each card swipe can be linked to video and
easily retrieved during investigations.
lite blue™ FEATURES AND BENEFITS
• Support for up to 2-8 doors and 5000 cardholders
• Includes 2 on-board reader interfaces for direct connect
• Access anytime, anywhere, with a network-connected computer
• Built-in web server
• System back-up
• Anti-passback function
• Facility lockdown via credential or external pushbuttton (via VBB-RI or VBB-NRI)
• Event Notification via email
• Manual overrides to temporarily unlock doors
• Includes enclosure, lock and tamper switch
• BAA compliant
• UL 294 Listed
The Vanderbilt Industries Security Management System (SMS) delivers a powerful, single source solution for integrating a facility’s access-control technologies, digital video, and alarm monitoring systems.
The Enterprise system supports an unlimited number of cardholders and readers and gives you unparalleled flexibility by supporting both online and offline devices. It also enables an organization to manage facility administration from any location and provides real-time monitoring and audit trails.
With the SMS Web application, administrators have convenient access to critical system functions such as granting or denying cardholder access, facility lockdown and more.
Q&A: Vanderbilt's Eric Widlitz
Locksmith Ledger recently interviewed Eric Widlitz, Vice President of Sales, North America, Vanderbilt Industries. Following are the Ledger’s questions and Widlitz’s answers.
Can you tell us a little about your background in security?
Prior to joining Vanderbilt, I spent the last 20 years with HID Global, where I served as Managing Director of Identity and Access Management, Americas; Vice President, OEM Channel and Government Applications; Manager of Technology and Government Applications; and Western Regional Sales Representative. I have extensive experience in building sales teams and developing relationships with key channel partners. In my role with Vanderbilt, I am tasked with the management of the North American sales team, as well as expanding the focus of our vertical markets, and the technology and integrations relationships into underserved networks.
What is the history of Vanderbilt Industries?
Vanderbilt’s parent company, Geoffrey Industries, was founded in 1989 by a team that included industry veteran and current president of Vanderbilt, Mitchell Kane. Ingersoll Rand acquired the company in 2003, and renamed the division Schlage Electronic Security. In 2008, the group launched its most successful product, bright blue®, a web-based embedded access control system for facilities with one to 32 doors.
In 2012, the Schlage software and controllers business was spun off from Ingersoll Rand to form Vanderbilt Industries, an ACRE-owned enterprise. What’s interesting to note about Vanderbilt is that the average employee at Vanderbilt has been with the company for more than 15 years, which is a testament to the strong and positive company culture.
Do you have a target markets?
We provide solutions to dozens of industries, including banking, telecommunications, finance, manufacturing, healthcare, education, legal, accounting, government agencies and more. Our Security Management System (SMS) platform is really eared toward enterprise-level businesses, higher education and K-12 campuses, and healthcare facilities that have multiple sites or are spread out geographically.
What size systems does Vanderbilt offer?
Vanderbilt really has a system that can fit almost any size application. Like I mentioned, Vanderbilt SMS is ideal for large, multi-site or global organizations, and it integrates a facility’s access control technologies, digital video and alarm monitoring systems.
Bright blue® is perfect for most small- to medium-sized applications and allows you to manage up to 32 doors and 5,000 cardholders.
lite blue® takes bright blue technology and offers it in a smaller package to serve a 2-door Web-based access control system with expansion capabilities up to eight doors. Really, there’s an access control system for all sizes of businesses and organizations that Vanderbilt offers.
Vanderbilt Video Management System (VMS) provides a versatile line of NVRs that support IP, analog or hybrid environments with high-resolution cameras – all of which can be used as a standalone solution or integrated with our access control systems for increased security.
We also offer a variety of choices for readers and credentials, including our own Vanderbilt-branded line, HID, aptiQ™, and many others.
What is VI Connect?
Vanderbilt VI Connect is a custom-configurable data management system that integrates SMS with third-party disparate databases, allowing for an automated business workflow between systems. A popular solution in higher education and enterprise organizations, VI Connect processes and manipulates data based on custom requirements and routes it to the appropriate third-party systems in their respective required formats. This eliminates the need for manual updates and cumbersome import/export processes typically required when managing multiple systems. Additionally, VI Connect allows an institution to better leverage the investments made in third-party systems.
What has been the evolution of the credential in electronic access control?
The evolution of the credential has been moving towards a more secure technology. The physical piece of plastic is not really changing; it’s what’s inside that is changing. The industry started with technologies like Wiegand and Magstripe. Wiegand was discontinued a few years ago but there is still a very large installed base of Magstripe because of the very low credential cost. We continue to see a high number of these cards used in the higher education market. But with low cost comes virtually no security.
I relate this to credit cards. How many people think their magstripe credit cards are secure? These can be copied very easily and this is why all the credit card companies are moving to EMV chips (smart chips) to secure their information.
Then came 125KHz proximity technology – which at the time was a little more secure – but provided a nice convenience with just having to wave your card in front of the reader and the data could be transmitted from a few inches away. Today this technology is as secure as your
Magstripe card and very easily copied and reproduced. There is a massive installed base of this technology out there today and unfortunately, it is still being installed in new projects. In most cases people just don’t know or understand what the technology is in their card.
The trend over the past few years for those looking for security over convenience is to move to a 13.56Mhz smart card technology where your data on the card is protected by an encryption key. You trade off a little transaction speed and read distance (and it is minimal) for the much-added security, which I believe is well worth it for those that actually care about security. The cost for secure smart-card technology is equal to the proximity technology today so there is no reason not to move in this direction. We are also starting to see what I would call a virtual smart card which is smart card technology that can be ported to different types of media like cards, fobs, wearable devices or mobile phones as long as they have a chip in them that can securely store the credential data.
What has been the evolution of the reader/keypad in electronic access control?
I would say in most cases the reader market follows the credential market. As the credentials get smarter, so are the readers and there are many multi-technology readers on the market today that read a combination of the older legacy technologies and newer smart card technologies, making them a great tool for helping larger organizations transition from old to new technology. Also, if you are worried about security, two-factor authentication at the door is better than single factor or just a card so a reader with a keypad is a smarter choice.
What is the distribution of market share between reader/credential technologies?
While there is no real great reliable market data on this, I would say in North America the majority of the market is still using low-security technologies like Magstripe and 125KHz Proximity technology. If I had to just take a round guess, I would say 75 percent of the market is still using Magstripe/Prox and 25 percent on smart card technologies with the trend moving towards smart cards.
Both markets are probably still growing today but the smart card technology is growing at a faster pace. I see this as a great opportunity for dealers and integrators to go and talk to their customers about the card and reader technologies they are using today. Just as the credit card companies are upgrading their old credit cards out there with new technology, the security market should be doing the same thing and large organizations should be taking this into consideration so they can budget for technology upgrades for physical security just as they would do for any of their IT equipment.
What do you foretell for the future; what are the most exciting new products/technologies?
While the physical security market space is generally slow to adopt new technologies, a couple of areas to watch are mobile and biometrics. The mobile market moves very quickly so I do believe over time we will see this play a larger factor in our space and I think biometrics will also play a larger role or a combination of both.
While biometrics as a whole has not really caught on in North America for access control, they are used and accepted all over the world in everyday use cases. Now that the cost has come down considerably and people are starting to use these every day for applications on their mobile phones, it will over time become more integrated into an increased number of applications as an accepted form of authentication.
How does Vanderbilt stack up against its competitors?
At our core, we consider ourselves a customer support company that happens to sell security solutions. So many access control manufacturers out there offer similar products to end users, but what sets Vanderbilt apart is the complete dedication our team has to building relationships with our integration partners, dealers, resellers and ultimately, the customers themselves. Without those relationships, our company wouldn’t exist, so we strive to put these relationships first. We try to really listen to what our customers need – and there are bits and pieces of our software updates that are in place because a customer requested it and it made sense. Without that kind of working relationship, we couldn't do what we do in this market.
Do you have wireless capabilities?
Vanderbilt has fully integrated wireless lock solutions available today. We have integrated wireless locking solutions from many of the market-leading lock manufacturers and have them integrated across our different access control solutions. If this is a solution someone is looking for today, I am confident Vanderbilt can supply and support the full end-to- end solution.
What networking infrastructures does Vanderbilt use?
SMS is a client /server application that operates on any clients standard TCP/IP network infrastructure. Various peripheral connections are supported including RS-485, Wiegand, IP and Wireless.
Have there been any changes to your offerings since acquiring IR SMS? Did Vanderbilt have any products prior to acquiring SMS?
In 2014, we introduced lite blue®, which brought the technology developed in bright blue® – Web-based, scalable – and created a solution perfect for smaller facilities that require access control in a cost-effective package. Vanderbilt has added to the SMS software with VI Connect, a way for enterprise organizations to streamline data management. Additionally, with the acquisition of Siemens Security Products in June 2015, Vanderbilt now includes access control, intrusion alarm and video surveillance products in its portfolio with very little – if any – overlap between products, making it the perfect fit for the organization.
What manufacturing and technical support resources do you have available?
Vanderbilt designs and develops its software in-house and has a full technical support team on call to support our channel partners with any issue they may have. We believe providing best-in- class support can make the difference between a good company and a great company and we strive every day to provide a customer experience second to none.
What is the process for a locksmith to become a Vanderbilt dealer, where can your products be purchased, and how can they contact Vanderbilt?
Vanderbilt has a process to become an authorized dealer. There is a dealer agreement and training certifications that need to be completed. Some training can take a couple of hours online for our lite blue/bright blue solutions to a few days of training for our enterprise SMS solution. If interested, you can easily contact us from our Web site at www.vanderbiltIndustries.com or email us at [email protected] and we would be happy to discuss becoming a valued Vanderbilt partner.
