Siemens Access Control Si-Pass Range

Siemens – Si-pass range.

Siemens are famous for many different products both inside and outside the security industry.
They have now produced a range of access control solutions that aim to compete at the highest level with some of their competitors more recognised for access control manufacturing. Their Si pass Entro 6 software is the latest access control solution and is packed with features. It is able to handle up to 512 doors with up to 40000 users and can support 480 access groups. The access control software is able to allow 240 time schedules and has additional benefits such as alarm bypass roll call and anti pass back to ensure door security and to help maintain a high security level. The software is windows compatible on machines that run 2000 /vista and x/p as well as Vista. Other benefits include the ability to integrate the Siemans Sistore DVR and photo I’D.

Access door controller.

Together with software comes the SI- PASS SI 351-8 which is a door controller. The controller sits at the heart of the Entro system and can operate independently without the software. In the case of a network failure it acts as a disaster recovery system and can hold up to 10000 events that will instantly update once the failure is resolved. An excellent tool and one that can save lots of time and money.

SC7 smart card reader.

Siemens also have released the SC7 MIFARE smart card reader that can be used where access control is not the sole use of the smart card. It is integrated seamlessly into the entro controllers is IP 67 rated .The reader can recognise all industry standard smart cards and has been cleverly designed to be future proofed for new technologies that may be forthcoming onto the market.

Conclusion.

SI-PASS access control solutions have clearly been designed to compete along side some of the very best current technology on offer and there are also plans in place to integrate to CCTV and intruder alarms to give a complete integrated package. Worth following the product to see how this it progresses in the market place

Risco wireless intruder alarms

Grade 2 WisDom wireless intruder alarm.

Risco  have released the wireless pick and mix kit which currently meets grade 2 standards.

They have called it the WisDom panel. In addition the pick and mix package allows you to select 6 wireless devices from the following.

A standard wireless PIR

A pet PIR

A panic wristband

A PA fob

A shock sensor

As standard you will receive a bell box in the package.

So why choose a wireless intruder alarm?

Wireless intruder alarms have their place. Small industrial units and domestic premises can benefit from quick installations. This keeps the cost down for customers and reliability has dramatically improved over the last few years. It is always advisable however to get a full radio survey carried out before an installation.

Domestic customers.

Domestic customers seem to prefer wireless intruder alarms for obvious reasons, no cabling , no mess, and engineers in and out before they know it. We have however been to some houses that are totally unsuitable for this type of solution. Thick walls in older buildings always seem to cause issues as can a radio alarm in next doors premises. We have also experienced problems from external interference that we could only deduce were caused by military sources.

Conclusion

So in summary , quick easy, relatively cheap as labour is dramatically reduced always carry out a survey to ensure you have a trouble free installation.

Integrated security system

Next week we write about all the things seen and talked about at IFSEC this week. In the mean time below we list all the parts that can be integrated together to give us a complete integrated security system and links to our blogs for details of suppliers.

Access control.

Card readers.

Biometrics.

Facial recognition.

IP cameras.

Thermal imaging cameras.

Video analytics.

Dome cameras.

DVR’s.

Intruder alarms.

Monitoring and transmission equipment.

VMS software.

Megapixel cameras.

and many more……..

Ifsec ip cctv

Ifsec integrated cctv

Ifsec ip camera

Ifsec predator camera

Ifsec march networks

Ifsec bosch camera

Ifsec Emizon communicator

Ifsec video sphere

Ifsec ip security

Ifsec megapixel IP camera

Digicoms fail under BT 21st Century Network upgrade.

Industry release warning.

Central stations have released more information about Digicom failures that are now known not just to be BT 21CN related but also associated with other NGNs (next generation networks) that other communication companies are supplying.

Examples of problems or failures.

1) Broadband installations

2) Star services

3) Lease cost routing

4) Changes from one supplier of communications to another.

Line providers change T & C’s.

The problem is starting to be considered serious enough by some communication companies that they have decided to to actually change their terms and conditions  to absolve themselves of responsibility if digicom signals fail to get carried across their network.

Upgrade now.

Central stations are now speaking to all intruder alarm companies advising them to speak to their customers and get their systems upgraded to 21CN compatible communication products these are as follows.

1) Redcare secure range.

2) Emizon.

3) CSL DualCom.

4) WebWay

5) Chiron

6) Risco.

Most of the above products are well established and proven solutions to current problem. More importantly they mostly offer duel path signalling and this is obviously much more secure and acceptable to insurance companies.

Prices.

Although monitoring prices are generally slightly more expensive than the  original Digicom would have been. The situation has forced the cost of dual path signalling down significantly and this means great opportunities for new sales, something that should not go unnoticed by security companies.

Why appoint a CCTV regulator?

New IP solutions encourages new appointment.

Why has the UK government decided to appoint an interim CCTV regulator? Well Andy Rennison certainly has a big task ahead of him. To be fair it seems on the surface just another public servant being appointed just for the sake of it. We already have regulation within the industry in the form of the NSI and this is effectively controlled by the government already through the implementation of European standards for intruder alarms, access control and CCTV.

The challenges ahead.

There are however some challenges ahead within our industry that to the credit of government officials have actually been foreseen at a relatively early stage. Integration between CCTV, access control and intruder alarms mean that the boundaries are becoming blurred between the security technologies . Of even more relevance is that CCTV evidence produced by camera systems has always been contentious but now with the advent of IP CCTV and integrated CCTV systems mean that the police and the courts are desperately seeking guidelines and regulation to ensure that evidence that is forth coming from the new IP surveillance systems can be used in the courts  and this is very much in the public interest.

Government interference?

Government intervention can only be justified if it is profoundly in the public interest and with CCTV software being used more and more, guidelines are are must to ensure forensic integrity is maintained and all evidence is 100% acceptable however it may need to be used.

Complaints procedure for CCTV systems defined by the CCTV regulator.

The right for the public to be able to complain is only a step forward if there is a real understanding in the public domain as to how IP CCTV works . So if education is part of Andy Rennison’s  remit then this cannot be viewed as bad thing.

Conclusion.

Within the industry we have to look at this in a positive way. No publicity is bad publicity and if it means that high standards are enforced then only the most professional companies will be able to take on the new challenges set out by the new CCTV regulator. We look forward to the way this develops with interest . Your thoughts are welcomed. Do we need this kind of regulation or can the industry be relied upon to govern itself ?