Newbie Question: Single Door Access System Options

[Mike Bowden]

Can you help me out? I'm an independent computer consultant with a
customer looking for access control of a single exterior metal frame
glass door with 25 users. Their users are independent contractors
allowed to come in after hours, and owner wants to know who and when
they come in, and revoke access remotely. He has a Windows 2003 SBS
Server which I can access remotely, and can also logon to his XP
workstations through the server.

I've got him ordering an embedded Linux DVR to cover the door and the
server. Are there embedded Linux access control systems out there,
like these DVR's?

After getting opinions I will partner with a local provider to do the
install, and hopefully add this to the list of solutions I can offer
small businesses in the Orange County, California area.

This customer of mine... Owner seems more interested in his
contractors access than in break-ins or fire alarms, so this is not
really a security system, right? Just access control - is this a
mistake waiting to happen, since there won't be any breakage sensors
on the windows to the place (ground floor, small business park)? He
just wants to keep them out during certain hours and revoke access at
a moments notice.

 

[Bob Worthy]

You are entering into an area that is State Regulated and licensing is
required if you are contracting to do this for compensation. You have
already violated state law by selling and installing CCTV recording
equipment. I believe these items falls under the Department of Consumers
Affairs in the State of California. Someone correct me if I am wrong on the
state department but I believe you are going to have to be a licensed
security company in order to do this. Talk about a mistake waiting to
happen. Wait until something happens and his insurance company finds out an
unlicensed individual was involved. I hope you have enough room on your
credit card to cover his lose. The problem I have found with people in the
computer industry is that if they think they can make it happen, they figure
out a way with little or no knowledge of the underlying circumstances.

Bob4Secur

 

[Aegis]

Can you help me out? I'm an independent computer consultant with a
customer looking for access control of a single exterior metal frame
glass door with 25 users. Their users are independent contractors
allowed to come in after hours, and owner wants to know who and when
they come in, and revoke access remotely. He has a Windows 2003 SBS
Server which I can access remotely, and can also logon to his XP
workstations through the server.

I've got him ordering an embedded Linux DVR to cover the door and the
server. Are there embedded Linux access control systems out there,
like these DVR's?

There is a panel out there for small access control systems that has a
proprietary [firmware] OS and has a built-in web server for programming. No
computer needed. Hook it to the network and access it as you would any other
server on the network. The system is called EnterNET.
http://www.securitylink.com/news/web_based_access.cfm

It's a pretty kickin' little system. I love these things.

After getting opinions I will partner with a local provider to do the
install, and hopefully add this to the list of solutions I can offer
small businesses in the Orange County, California area.

This customer of mine... Owner seems more interested in his
contractors access than in break-ins or fire alarms, so this is not
really a security system, right? Just access control - is this a
mistake waiting to happen, since there won't be any breakage sensors
on the windows to the place (ground floor, small business park)? He
just wants to keep them out during certain hours and revoke access at
a moments notice.

Most states consider access control to be a security-related matter...
Others consider it to be a locksmith-related matter. Just about every state
will allow both a licensed security contractor or a licensed locksmith
(unless, as in Texas, there is a specific license for "Access Control
Technicians") install them. Be aware that you also have to comply with fire
codes and building codes, especially if the system will be locking a door
classified as a fire exit.