Technology presents new opportunities for
aggressive companies to reduce cost while enhancing
features and benefits for professionals and
consumers. The centralized access control
system (CACS) is a growing trend in access
control industry that reduces cost by minimizing
materials and labor. The CACS accomplishes
this by substituting a centralized computer
and self -contained proximity (prox) readers
for the multiple individual controllers located
at each access point that the programmable
access control system requires. See Programmable
Systems for more details on this system.
The advantage of the CACS for the access control professional is primarily simplicity of installation. The CACS eliminates the need to install cumbersome controllers at each access point. A traditional controller requires a metal enclosure, a power supply and a gel cell battery for backup power. Installation of a traditional programmable access control system with controllers is not difficult during new construction, but finding locations to conceal the controllers and their enclosures is a challenge when retro-fitting existing facilities. With a centralized server a standard cat 5 cable with two wires for power is used for data transmission and power to the self contained prox readers located at each door. This minimizes costly labor during installation.
The advantages to management is in the CACS features and benefits. The CACS can be a dedicated server or reside on a Wan or Lan network. The CACS dedicated server can also be accessed remotely by modem or IP. Using a IP addressable IP module, remote access points can be controlled and monitored by the dedicated server over the internet. A CACS software is extremely powerful and intuitive providing management complete control over users with minimal effort or training.
The CACS is the wave of the future because of the features, benefits and cost effectiveness. The system is not only for facilities with hundreds of access points but is practical for facilities with as few as ten doors.
tjh 11/07