A programmable access control systems (PACS) provides the most flexibility for management to control a large number of users access to multiple locations of a facility. Programmable access control systems are common place in factories, industrial buildings, professional offices, hospitals, college campuses, airports, multi family residences and anywhere management needs to control and track users activities.

Access points can begin with the perimeter of the facility were management may need to control the entrance and exit of vehicles from parking lots or garages. Public areas of a facility present particular challenges since authorized personnel and guest both have access to them, an example is the lobby of a facility. Authorized individuals may gain access control by proximity (prox) cards, and visitors use a telephone entry system for communication to residence or tenants who grant them access. Elevators too can be incorporated into the PACS to secure a building after normal business hours. A guest and authorized personnel can be limited to a particular floor. Internal access control to specific areas of a facility such as private offices, tool rooms, pharmaceutical rooms, secured areas can also be integrated into the PACS.

The heart of a PACS is the controller. A controller is a piece of hardware that controls one or two doors. It is usually be mounted near each door that is to have access control. The controller is programmed by management to grant or deny access to users, and retains a report on users activities in its memory. Multiple controllers are wired together by a data cable for communication with a computer. Changes to users privileges can be made by management from this computer through a modem or direct connection. Activity reports can also be downloaded from the controllers memory.

Each controller is wired to a prox reader. A prox reader senses or reads a users prox card. Each prox card has a unique ID that is assigned to a particular user. Each users prox card is assigned privileges. Privileges can be set for users groups by days of week, time of day, particular doors, holiday and more. When the user presents the prox card to the prox reader, the controller programming will grant or deny the user access. If the user is granted access the controller sends a signal to activate a strike release or mag lock that unlocks the door. The controller will also archive the users activity in its memory.

tjh 10/07