Top 10 access control readers and controllers of 2016

The third installment in asmag.com's 2016 top 10 security products focuses on access control readers and controllers. Once again, the top 10 products have been chosen based on page views from asmag.com.

In order to come up with a comprehensive assessment, the products on this list all adhere to the following guidelines:

• The main purpose of the product must be for security/access control purposes
• Only one product per company was chosen.

Viewing distribution charts are provided for each product to show from what regions each product is being viewed. Regions included in the chart are as follows: Asia, Americas, Europe and Oceania.

According to a report from MarketsandMarkets, the growth for the access control market is expected to reach US$9.8 billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 7.49 percent between 2016 and 2022. The most significant drivers in the market are increasing urbanization and technological developments.A prominent feature that companies took into account was scalability and future-proof designs in their products, which allowed room for future expansion and technological advancements.

Trends in access control, as well as the whole security market for 2016 saw various uses for a single system and long range detection. A simple access control is no longer used solely for the purpose of keeping intruders out, now we are starting to see readers and controllers to also have time attendance features, such as Matrix Comsec’s time attendance door controller. Moreover, as the deployment of access control systems expand over several verticals, the requirement for long range detection for applications such as traffic monitoring and logistics has emerged. In our ranking, Nedap Identification Systems and Pongee Industries have both launched access control readers that feature UHF RFID to support these demands.

For more information on any of the top 10 products, click on the inquiry buttons below!

1. Matrix Cosec Panel Lite standalone access controller

Matrix Comsec's Panel Lite time attendance and access control door controllers only allows authorized users on the premises, and registers both their entry and exit times. The door controllers come in numerous models, with various interface options and advanced connectivity to meet the user’s needs. They are designed with high-quality standards in mind, to address the current and future attendance monitoring needs of companies large and small.

2. Nedap uPass Target UHF reader

The uPASS Target is a solid solution for long-range identification of vehicles, people and rolling stock. This high-end UHF RFID reader enables access control to gated perimeters as well as close monitoring of traffic flow activities at industrial sites and logistic depots. Typical applications for the uPASS Target are high-speed transportation, rail yards and bus depots, internal logistics, industrial operations, and automated truck activities.

3. Tibbo TPS Serial-Over-IP controller

The Tibbo Project System (TPS) is an ideal platform for creating multi-port device servers. With TPS, the user can define a TPS configuration to their requirements. The controller supports multiple network interfaces, including Wi-Fi, GPRS and Zigbee.

4. Identiv uTrust Mx controller

The Identiv uTrust MX controller is available in 2, 4 and 8 door models, with each door being fully supervised. The modular design and the scalable architecture of the Hirsch Mx Controller enables an installation to start small and grow large, from a single controller system to a larger, multi-site enterprise.

5. Farpointe P-620 Denali mullion-mount reader and keypad

The Farpointe P-620 Denali mullion keypad reader supports popular proximity card and tag technologies with an integrated keypad for 2-factor verification applications. The mullion-sized proximity card reader features an eight-inch read range for increased convenience as the user enters a PIN on the keyboard. The unit features tamper-proof and weather-resistant epoxy potting to avoid problems with dust, mist or water. It works in temperature extremes from -40°F to +149°F (-40°C to +65°). With distinctive blue backlit keys, the digits are very easy to read in dark environments.

6. Vicon Access Control (VAX) door controller

The Vicon Access Control (VAX) is an access control system that will maximize administrative efficiency and streamline operations. VAX is designed for simplicity in installation, maintenance, scalability and usability. The access controller offers single-door and two-door options with or without integrated PIR/REX. 

7. Software House IP-ACM Ethernet door module

IP-ACM from Software House (part of Tyco Security Products) is a flexible, future-proof Ethernet door module that provides IT-savvy customers with a highly secure option to manage their security while reducing wiring and installation costs. The IP-ACM is installed near the doors that it is controlling and communicates securely over IP to an iSTAR Ultra GCM using AES-256 encryption. The GCM contains the local access database and makes all access decisions. Each IP-ACM can support two doors, or one door with in and out readers. Each iSTAR Ultra supports up to 32 readers maximum.

8. Pongee PK-UHF201 long range UHF RFID reader and writer

The Pongee PK-UHF201 is a high-performance UHF frequency reader, which combines proprietary signal processing algorithms with high recognition rate processing performance for fast reading and writing. This product can be widely used in logistics, parking systems, access control systems, security systems and production process control, and other radio frequency identification (RFID) systems.

9. Hundure PXR10/12 proximity reader

The stylish and slim design of Hundure’s PXR10/12 proximity reader combines high tech security with its aesthetic appearance. The reader supports EM card at 125 KHz, with a read range of 4 cm. It also provides RS-485 communication interface for long distance installation. Other functions include case sensor detection and watchdog function which secures the system from halting.

10. ISTCONTROL DNX 4 door controller

ISTCONTROL’s DNX is an Ethernet-ready controller that provides an advanced and easy solution for any application size, communicating with its Smart X manager software. Utilizing on-board Ethernet communication and a 32-bit processor, the DNX provides eight times higher throughput than serial-to Ethernet converters and provides a pluggable terminal block for easy connection. With an installer-friendly design, DNX easily adapts to existing IT infrastructure and methods, reducing installation and support cost.