GSX 2024 Wrapup

The GSX Show in Orlando, held Sept. 23-26, served as a sneak peek and new security products and trends for the coming year. Locksmith Ledger presents a compilation of some of these innovations from companies serving our market.

ASSA ABLOY

ASSA ABLOY made a splash with its robotic access control solution through a partnership with Boston Dynamics -- a global leader in developing and deploying highly agile mobile Spot robots. The partnership enables Spot security patrol robots to unlock and open access-controlled automated doors autonomously.

“As soon as Boston Dynamics presented us with the door access issue they were facing, we immediately jumped at the opportunity,” noted Angelo Faenza, head of Digital Access Solutions, ASSA ABLOY U.S.  “It’s such a natural fit and has been a thoroughly symbiotic and successful collaborative endeavor. Security solutions, after all, are what we’re all about. It’s always a pleasure and privilege to work with such an exciting technology innovator like Boston Dynamics.”

Equipped with PTZ industrial video camera, thermal, and audio sensor payloads, Spot robots provide continuous monitoring, streaming live data back to command centers, freeing up valuable personnel to focus on other vital security duties. Until now, however, the word “autonomous” didn’t apply to Spot’s ability to open access-controlled doors easily.

With embedded digital access credentials that communicate via Bluetooth with Signo readers from HID, an ASSA ABLOY Group brand, Spot can freely pass through compatible automated doors to patrol the exterior of facilities or to transit interior secured openings.

“Our partnership with ASSA ABLOY quickly resulted in the creation of a logical and practical solution to overcome what was originally a tricky problem,” says Tim Dykstra, director of Strategic Partnerships and Channel Sales for Boston Dynamics. “Today, ASSA ABLOY has made it incredibly easy for Spot to go where it needs to in order to perform its critical autonomous security patrols.”

Faenza said the company is always excited to show of its newest technology at GSX.

“Like ISC West, GSX is incredibly valuable to us and all those attending,” Faenza says. “It’s a great way to connect with each other, see what’s new, or take another look and explore the benefits and details further. There’s always someone who is looking to solve a door or access control problem that we can help them with. In the past, we’ve closed some of our largest projects on the GSX floor. So, we’re always incredibly excited to participate and attend.”

The company showcased its complete range of door security solutions, from specialty doors and frames and intelligent access control locks to smart lockers, IP video door stations and facial identification.

Key products included:

• Adams Rite MS1950P Series MS Deadlock: The stainless steel MS1950P Series MS Deadlock utilizes a laminated stainless-steel bolt, now with enhanced security features, to provide maximum security for a single leaf narrow stile aluminum door.
• Ceco Door / Curries Adjustable EMI-RFI/STC 50 Shielding Assembly: The EMI-RFI Shielded Door Assembly reduces the possibility of electronic interference by blocking unwanted electromagnetic waves from interfering with other circuits or devices in healthcare, commercial, or government applications.
• Control iD iDFace: iDFace is ideal for monitoring and controlling people entering and exiting a building with the use of facial identification technology.
• Corbin Russwin / SARGENT IN100 Aperio Wireless Lock with Keypad: Now available with keypad for two-factor authentication, the IN100 allows facilities to leverage existing security infrastructure to expand their access control coverage more quickly, easily, and affordably.
• Corbin Russwin / SARGENT Mortise Lock with Motorized Electric Latch Retraction (MELR): With rapid latch bolt retraction and enhanced accessibility features, these locks redefine intrusion standards, ensuring seamless operation and peace of mind.
• HES 9100 Series Surface Mounted Electric Strike: The HES 9100 Electric Strike for Tubular Vertical Rod Exit Devices introduces superior efficiency for single glass door applications. With its low-profile design, the 9100 ensures simplified retro-mounted installation, eliminating the need for frame alterations.
• Medeco eCLIQ: The Medeco eCLIQ Spark Key represents the future of key technology, creating a new era of access control. The first battery-free eCLIQ key generates its own energy, ensuring power self-sufficiency for both key and cylinder. With advanced data encryption and manipulation protection, the Spark Key is a convenient, cost-effective security solution.

Looking at the strongest growth verticals, ASSA ABLOY continues to increase its work with schools.

“We continue to see growth in the education sector as K-12 schools focus on creating safer, more secure learning environments where unified solutions are enhancing the integration and effectiveness of access control technology, video surveillance, analytic software, and AI to better intercept potential trouble,” Faenza points out.

“Growth also continues at college campuses as universities address the growing demand for student housing and mobile credentials, their interest in the potential of facial identification, and the need for more and more smart locker systems.”

Visitor management access solutions and partitioning of sensitive areas in healthcare facilities is also increasingly critical, he says, and senior care and multifamily segments remain quite strong. In addition, condominium, apartment complex, and mixed-use development “continues at a steady pace due to the single-family housing inventory shortage, high prices, and high mortgage rates,” he adds.

Data centers are also a major focus for ASSA ABLOY.

“Their vital role in today’s connected world means security is of the utmost importance,” Faenza explains. “Consider the increased need for perimeter protection, hardened openings, specialty doors with EMI/RFI shielding, and discrete access control requirements, especially for colocation datacenters.”

The explosion in the number of data centers prompted the company “to create a cross-divisional task force to specifically focus on the needs of this vertical,” he adds. “We offer excellent solutions and products across all of ASSA ABLOY’s divisions that are well-designed for this category. For example, Ameristar is very active in this space with its attractive high security fence systems, bollards and engineered gate solutions for protecting perimeters.”

Newer product lines within ASSA ABLOY’s Door Security Solutions division include Luxer One smart lockers, which are being increasingly deployed on higher education campuses and office buildings as well.

“This is yet another application where secure and convenient door and access control solutions extend beyond traditional openings,” Faenza pointed out. “We also now offer DoorBird intelligent video intercom systems that fit so well into multifamily properties and integrate seamlessly with ASSA ABLOY ACCENTRA Access Control making user database management even easier. They are also ideal for K-12 schools.”

Control iD’s iDFace, a high-performance facial identification solution, is “getting noticed as a biometric credential especially by university and high school athletics departments where carrying keys, cards, or even mobile phones is impractical and less secure when needing to enter secured courts, fields, and stadium entrances,” Faenza explains. “It’s really opening up exciting, new conversations among a variety of people from consultants and channel partners to end users.”

Centrios, a new brand within the ASSA ABLOY family, is a unique solution designed from the ground up to deliver “radically simplified access control for the small and growing business market,” he adds. “Cloud-based, it features an easy-to-use Centrios mobile app that connects to Centrios smart readers and locks, which makes it seamless to set-up and manage employee and visitor access.”

Traka

At the Traka booth, the company highlighted its latest offerings in key and asset management, and how its new offerings address current market needs and trends. Key and asset management solutions from Traka are integrated with a variety of security systems and platforms and can help various industries save money through improved security, monitoring and tracking of physical keys and assets. On large campuses with multiple buildings and operations, for example, key management is of the utmost importance.

“When you’re dealing with a large campus with potentially hundreds of buildings, the cost of losing one master key to rekey the whole campus is in the six figures,” said Hector Melendez, Technical Director, Traka Americas. “When you integrate these solutions not only do you get the prevention of loss of keys, but you also have the ease of auditing – knowing where those keys are at all times – and making it simpler for your employees to use those keys.”

dormakaba

Both Alvarado and dormakaba highlighted access control products and solutions.

“This year in the Alvarado booth we are focusing on a layered security theme,” explains Matt Beach, Product Marketing manager, Alvarado. “We want to focus on the ‘no single solution’ storyline and educate potential and existing customers on the benefits of layering your security solutions.”

Examples of layered security include:

• Using a preventative, full-height security turnstile at the perimeter that can be easily integrated into an existing camera system.
• Installing optical detection security turnstiles within the lobby or elevator bank with an onsite guard or receptionist.
• Installing a preventative personal interlock, security revolving door or an interior full-height turnstile for interior “high-risk” areas like server rooms, labs, and archive storage.

“All of these layered solutions would integrate into the facility’s access control system,” Beach notes.

Alvarado demonstrated the new GateKeeper Kiosk, which is an additional option to its GateKeeper Turnstile Configuration Software. “The GateKeeper Kiosk sits next to an optical turnstile installation and gives facilities the ability to make configuration changes to the turnstile, such as free entry, bi-directional monitoring, free exit, etc., on the fly without needing to log in via a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet,” he explains.

Alvarado is also featuring its “most popular products on display,” Beach adds, including the SU5000, Argus 40, and Argus V60 Optical Turnstiles as well as its MST full height turnstile. “We are also featuring a biometric integration with an Alcatraz Rock biometric reader installed on the MST. This is the first time we will be demoing a full height turnstile with facial recognition.”

Given this show is traditionally an end-user audience, dormakaba anticipates a lot of interest in its RCI 3525 Series Rack Handle lock functioning within a networked access control environment from data center customers. The company gave a full demo of the lock in context and integrated with Keyscan access control systems.

The following are the access control solutions featured in the dormakaba booth:

Keyscan Access Control Systems are powered by Keyscan Aurora software. This software is renowned for its ability to integrate with many third-party security systems.

• Video Management: Demonstrating Milestone integration at the show along with Axis digital IP cameras.
• Wireless Locks: Aurora seamlessly integrates with E-Plex series wireless and standalone locks.
• Readers and Credentials: Keyscan Aurora can function with a multitude of 125kHz standard frequency, 13.56MHz high frequency, 933MHz Ultra-high frequency range of readers and credentials.
• Telephone entry and other specialty services such as XpressEntry mustering systems.
• Keyscan and RCI can also function within corporate, education, healthcare, government, and industrial/warehouse or any other facility access control system.

RCI Electronic Controls including RTE (request to exit) switches/pushbuttons, touchless actuator switches, electric strikes, electromagnetic locking devices and much more that function seamlessly with Keyscan and Alvarado solutions as well as a variety of network or standalone access systems.

• 3525PRX Rack Handle Lock: Ideal for IT environments. It keeps rack server cabinets secure and integrates and functions with dormakaba (Keyscan) credentials and other electronic access control systems.
• YD30 Electronic Locks: Designed to secure commercial and residential single and double acting doors. It can be implemented with Keyscan or a stand-alone RTE access system.
• 910TC Touchless Actuators: Provide functional control with a selection of options for momentary release, maintained release, time-delay, or emergency release of all entrance/exit points including Alvarado.

Multi-family access systems Community software integrates with Keyscan Aurora Software as well as a multitude of RFID locks – namely Saffire, readers, credentials, and accessories. An important focus for multi-family housing at this show is RVM (Resident Visitor Management). An integrated solution offered through the Community and Keyscan Aurora software

The verticals Alvarado is primarily focusing on this week at GSX are corporate, education, healthcare, government facilities, and warehouses.

“We are also putting a focus on both our end-user and integrator personas for these verticals,” Beach points out. “As far as strong growth, warehouse/distribution centers are our strongest vertical where we see purchasing of full-height turnstiles like the MST and CLST.”

For Alvarado products and solutions, this year he says the company will be restructuring its full-height product line to make it more cohesive and will launch sometime in early 2025. “We are also exploring new selling opportunities for data centers to keep up with demand driven by generative AI applications,” he adds.

Overall, Alvarado is excited to connect with existing and future customers to showcase its ability to solve any security issue using our layered security approach in tandem with products that easily integrate with external security systems.

“The security industry is vast and there is no single solution for any given threat, which is why simplified integration and installation remain an important focus among our most common customers — security integrators and end-users,” Beach says. “To stay relevant in the industry, security manufacturers like Alvarado need to not only highlight our product features and applications, but also how we are able to integrate with other third-party security products to create a total security solution for a facility.”

NAPCO

NAPCO’s Rob Etmans gave a preview of an upcoming product launch, MVP Cloud Access. Etmans says this cloud-based electronic access control system will use the company’s existing hardware and will be able to handle anything from a small business to an enterprise access control system.

Cloud-based access control means the system doesn’t need an onsite server and can be maintained remotely. “The benefits of cloud are numerous. But for the end user, the biggest cost-effectiveness for them is going to be that there’s less overhead,” Etmans said.

Also at GSX, Etmans was displaying NAPCO Access Pro and its E-Access web-based access control. “The software is in the panel. It’s very easy to set up. It’s designed for small business and it works perfectly. It’s very easy to use.”

Peter Lowenstein was displaying the popular Alarm Lock Trilogy lineup. “This is a simple product, tried and true. It works and has featured the same design for many years and it’s cost-effective as well,” he said.

The newest development is not function, but finish. Lowenstein noted that Alarm Lock just added the 19-Matte Black finish to its locks.

Also on display was the Air Access cellular-driven electronic access control system, which enables access control in remote locations where Wi-Fi is not available, Lowenstein noted, adding that “everything seems to be migrating to the cloud.”