Frequently Asked Questions

What is Access Control System?

Access control systems are designed to permit the free flow of authorised movement into any site, whilst denying entry to unwanted visitors.

What is Time and Attendance System?

A function of access control systems for recording worker arrival and departure times for the purpose of payroll or other management functions.

Who needs Access Control System?

Small, Medium and Corporate Offices widely uses access control system either card or biometric system, Hotels often use smart card door lock system, Laboratories and other facilities with areas requiring high security may also use biometric control system.

What do I need to control a door?

Single Door - Standalone Access Control Machine (Biometric/RFID), Electrical Door Strike or Magnetic lock, Exit Sub Reader, specified power supply and conductor cable for exit reader and magnetic lock, a RJ45 patch cable for Ethernet connection.
Multi Door - 2/4 Door Access Control Unit, Biometric/RFID Reader specified power supply and conductor cable for exit reader and magnetic lock, a RJ45 patch cable for Ethernet connection.

How long will it take to do a typical installation of one door?

Installation will vary depending on the access available for installation of the cables to the door strike and to the reader.

What type of readers can I use?

e-DATA Access Control currently supports readers from these manufacturers.

• HID iCLASS
• HID Proximity
• AWID
• Mifare
• EM
• Smart Card
• Biometric (fingerprint)

What is a biometric reader?

A biometric reader uses an individual's physiological trait, in this instance their fingerprint, to allow them access in to and around premises. The supervisor of the access control management system will 'enroll' users by getting them to scan their fingerprint on a biometric reader and then only users who have been registered on the system can gain access. As a fingerprint is unique to an individual, this ensures that a biometric system is extremely secure.

Can my / my staffs' fingerprints be used for any other purpose?

No. Fingerprints are not stored as images. They are converted to a mathematical algorithm for smaller storage and faster comparison and cannot be changed back to an image. Fingerprints can be copied from one terminal to another.

What is TCP/IP Access Control System?

TCP/IP Access Control System is based on TCP/IP communication protocol, which uses network optical cable to transfer data of door control information. By TCP/IP network, the access control system could manage doors in a same LAN, or a large WAN, or on internet.

What is the difference between TCP/IP network Access Control System and RS485 Access Control System?

The main difference between TCP/IP network Access Control System and RS485 Access Control System has two factors, first is the transmission speed, TCP/IP is much faster than RS485(TCP/IP is 10M/100M Bytes while RS485 is 9600Baud, 1Baud=1 bit per second), second is the capacity of the whole system, the size for RS485 and LAN is 255, the size for WAN or Internet use is unlimited.

What is Wiegand?

Wiegand is the most common method of communication used by access control devices. A Interface module (IM) in the ICU of Access Control Panel for both wiegand input and output. A card reader (Prox. card) can pass the user ID# to the biometric access reader for verification and the IM can also output the user ID# to access panels that emulate a card reader.

What is RFID technology?

RFID (Radio frequency identification) is a technology that uses radio waves to automatically identify people or objects. There are several methods of identification, but the most common is to store a serial number that identifies a person or object.

What is Mifare technology?

Mifare technology is a 13.56 MHz contactless technology that is owned by Philips Electronics. Card and reader manufacturers such as HID use this technology to create unique products for use by end-users. Mifare is often considered to be a smart card technology. This is based on the ability to read and write to the card. In reality, Mifare is simply a memory card (as opposed to a processor card).

What is Anti-Passback?

Well known as Anti-Tailgating. A feature that will not allow any card/fob to re-enter unless it has been used to exit. To be able to use this function, readers are required for both entry and exit. It prevents someone using his card/fingerprint to enter a secure area and then exit when someone else open the door(tailgating).

What happened if Power fails?

With UPS - It is recommended that access control system be connected to a backup power source so it will continue to operate during power failure.
Without UPS - The system will stop working in case of power failure. All door locks will be released automatically. The system will restart automatically when the power is restored.

If power fails, do I lose all my programmed data and events?

No, all events and data are stored in a non-volatile memory. All configured settings, transaction logs is saved in flash memory, there will be no loss of data.