Security Technology Executive

JUL-AUG 2015

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26 SECURITY TECHNOLOGY EXECUTIVE • July/August 2015 www.SecurityInfoWatch.com TECHNOLOGY ROUNDTABLE traditional hard-wired systems such as those that we do through our integrations projects with integrations partners around the world. Jason Ouellette, Tyco Security Products: Wireless solutions have become more acces- sible, more affordable and easier to install in recent years. Today, they no longer require a wire to the door and there are fewer configura- tion steps than before. However, there is still more improvements and innovation to be done for this market. In order for these solutions to be widely adopted, installations will need to become simpler and quicker. Gaining access to wireless networks can still at times make an installation lengthy. Though prices points have fallen recently, they also need to continue to fall even more in order to make these solutions more accessible and to make sense for replacing traditional key managed doors. The use of open standards is an important part of increasing adoption of wireless solutions, too. The wide- spread use of standards such as ONVIF Profile C and OSDP (Open Supervised Device Proto- col), particularly for the security of the solutions themselves, would boost adoption by increasing end user confidence in the industry's acceptance of established cyber security standards. Cur- rent trends in technology are to simplify and use existing environments instead of creating new ones, and there are some wireless access control solutions that are capable of using the end user's already existing WiFi network. As these solu- tions become more popular, edging out wireless solutions that are proprietary and require a sep- arate wireless network, this will be another boon to wireless access control adoption. Mitchell Kane, President, Vanderbilt Industries: Wireless devices provide an added level of flexibility, as they can be quickly and easily added to an access control solution with- out the significant financial and time invest- ment involved with running wire. However, many of the wireless access control peripheral devices rely on battery power to function, which can be restrictive for end users. The life expec- tancy and the effort it takes to replace batter- ies are two issues seen as troublesome to many users. Improved battery life would be one way that wireless locks can be improved to increase the adoption of the technolog y to a wider marketplace. STE: If an end user is considering moving to a total wireless access control solution, what are its benefits and ROI propositions? Boriskin: The biggest benefit is the ability to secure more doors then you could with tradition- al access control. Wireless provides the capabil- ity to go deeper inside a facility and secure more openings that might not have been affordable before. It also addresses areas where there is no infrastructure to support traditional wired open- ings. This is common in historical structures or multi-family housing where wired security would be a large and costly infrastructure project. Wire- less is also ideal for situations where disturbing walls or ceilings would be very difficult and cost- ly, because of circumstances such as asbestos or in a healthcare facility where a HEPA tent would be required. Commare: Less risk, and buffer, built into job estimates because wireless installations elimi- nate unforeseen obstacles encountered once a hole is drilled and wire is pulled. Wireless sur- vey kits can also be used to insure coverage and signal strength, in essence verifying the integ- rity of the installation and minimizing the time required to commission. Lindley: Wireless locking systems offer an opportunity to solve problems that might once have been impossible or impractical. It may be counterintuitive, but you don't need line of sight. Wireless RF signals are able to penetrate cinder block walls, plasterboard walls, brick walls and many other non-metallic materials for simpli- fied system designs and implementations. For outdoor applications, like vehicle and pedestrian gate access, wireless links can often bridge up to 285 feet, eliminating costly trenching. Wire- less systems are ideal for garages, harbors, park- ing lots, airports, utility companies and mili- tary bases. They are especially cost effective for controlling gates around a facility. Even more impressive - optional directional or gain anten- nae are available for still longer distances, such as an installation at a Middle East oil field where gates may be controlled from thousands of feet Scott Lindley is President of Farpointe Data Inc. Jennifer Stack, VP Marketing, Salto. Wireless solutions let end users reap the benefits of a wired system without the cost of a hardwired system. — Scott Lindley

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