Benefits and Features
Aside from the obvious security payoffs, there are many transitive benefits to an
access control system. You can easily and accurately track the time and attendance
of your employees. No more punch clocks! Also, if a card is ever lost or stolen
it can be deactivated and flagged in an instant. Contrast that with changing or
recoring the lock(s) and distributing new keys.
An ACS also provides the ability to schedule the locking and unlocking of specific
doors at a given time. Additionally, each and every time a card is presented to
a card reader a log is made of that attempt, recording who and at what time that
person requested access, and whether or not that access was granted. Alarms could
be configured to handle a whole realm of situations, such as invalid access attempts,
or the use of a stolen card. Security personel can then be alerted and take the
necessary actions.
The swipe of a card can also be used to trigger other events, such as enabling a
mechanical door opener, alerting nearby CCTV cameras to focus on the area, or simply
just turn on the lights.
You don't have to have an enormous facility to benefit from an ACS. All you need
is a front door and a willingness to provide the security and simplicity of an Access
Control System to yourself and your employees.