Telephone Entry Systems allow guests to review a directory of residents and call a selected resident who can then allow or deny access after speaking to the visitor. This is one of the most expensive types of access control, but is the most effective way to allow for guests in a multi-tenant environment.
Video Camera Systems can alert a list of individuals that a visitor button has been pressed and allow them to view video/image/audio, establish a live video/audio connection with the visitor and release the door to allow entry.
Intercom Systems can alert a group of individuals that a visitor button has been pressed and allow them to establish a live audio/video connection with the visitor and release the door to allow entry.
Telephones and Printed Directories can allow a visitor to call the desired person and notify them that they must come to release the door.
Doorbells / Buzzers can allow a visitor to ring/buzz several areas and notify occupants that someone must come to release the door.
User Access Controls:
Biometrics, such as Fingerprint and Retina Scan can be used to authenticate a user and grant access. This authentication method is one of the most secure as the object in possession is part of the person. In some cases double or triple authentication is used to increase security by combining one or more of the following access controls.
Wireless Remotes / Keychain Remotes / Clickers may be desirable to enable convenient control of access gates and doors, especially in inclement weather. These wireless controls are often supplimented by access control for those who don't have their remotes.
Proximity Cards / Prox Cards can be used with Proximity Readers /Prox Readers to allow anyone who holds an activated card to obtain access. These cards must be held in the proximity of the reader. Readers vary in read-range, from 1 inch to 8+ feet, however the reader cost increases significantly with range.
Smart Cards are a version of proximity cards with a built in memory chip. This chip can be programmed with data on a user, such as name, passwords, usage and other information. This data can be used by computer and other systems to grant access and write usage information.
Swipe Cards can be used with Swipe Readers to allow anyone who holds an activated card to obtain access. Swipe cards use a magnetic stripe, just as credit cards do. This means that users must take the time to carefully alignin their card with the slot and swipe the card (perhaps several times). Like credit cards, swipe cards have a tendency to become damaged and less effective with use.
Keypads are the least expensive solution, as they do not require cards or remotes for each user. Keypads also allow access for visitors that can be given the code. However, keypads are the least secure as users or visitors can share their code with anyone, the code can be observed as it is entered by anyone. Since there is no way to ensure the identity of the person who entered the code, the benefits of access reporting and instantaneous restriction are lost.
However, where budget restrictions are high, keypads may be an acceptable first implementation phase when supplemented with the time spent to maintain thcontrol of user & visitor codes by management.
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