Building Access Control

[loosemarbles]

We are moving into new premises in Q1 next year, starting from a blank canvas. Our previous building had basic access control, linked to our SIP phone system, but I know that there are some more grown up solutions. Can anyone recommend a company to use? I know the base systems (Fermax / Paxton etc) are fairly common, but the advice part is the bit we really need.

[b0rk]

I'd assume to keep your buildings insurer happy you'll have to have an intruder alarm fitted, whoever your using for that talk to them about access control.

Most good commercial alarm companies are also access control installers, typically Paxton but other systems are available. Things like CCTV, intruder Alarm and Fire Alarm integration are very much possible if you package the lot together with one installer/support provider.

However before you talk to an access control installer have think what you want to get out of the system, so stuff like time & attendance, "keyless" entry, controlled internal access, fire roll call etc.

We had on the recommendation of other local businesses Paxton (net2) installed when we moved into new offices last year. It was/is a fully integrated setup, so whilst various doors do have physical key ports as a backup really all the locks are all motor driven (not maglocks) via Paxton controllers.
First person in each morning disables the intruder alarm automatically by virtue of unlocking the door with their keycard, last one out sets the alarm again via keycard. Fire alarm goes off and the system automatically generates a roll call of who is on site accessible via mobile app. We get daily time and attendance reports of who's in each morning and how long they where in at the end of each day for just hourly paid staff. Also a clock in and out picture is saved taken from CCTV.

Whatever you end up wanting make sure your installer has done something similar before. Plenty of chancers that have only ever done very basic door entry installs with maglocks out there.

[PurpleTurtle]

I see you are based in the South although not sure where?

A pal of mine runs this consultancy which might be what you are after? He’s based in Camberley.

https://www.ndaconsulting.co.uk/

[zoomy]

We use Paxton and I am very happy with them.
Installed them in 2006 (15 doors + 2 gates)
Power packs fail but just replace them..
Had 2 issues with them and both times customer service was vey helpful and sorted us out (second occasion was last year so very much out of warranty).
We use it as a stand alone system.
Installer did also fit the alarm and cctv.
Buy decent keypads though.

[48k]

I can't answer your question directly but speaking as a bespoke software developer, the Paxton system is very nice to work with.

[Keep it stiff]

100% go for Paxton. I have it on a mixed-user office building, we have around 50 controlled doors and 750 users. We also use it for ANPR car park access. We introduced contact-less exit buttons in the wake of Covid, these were a cheap conversion. It has been rare for us to have faults and data is easy to convert into Excel if you need to cross check to attendance/overtime or whatever. In the 7 years or so I have been using Paxton I have come across just one function that Paxton can't accommodate, the ability to prevent entry after a defined number of entries.