“The after sales and support service provided by Isys has been very good. When we moved our company to their new site, we increased the amount of Time and Attendance and Door Access Control hardware. This was a painless and smooth changeover process provided by Isys”
Kim Harper – Finance Manager Capircorn Automotive.
Access Control Readers
Often the reader used with a terminal has significant bearings on the success and cost of the overall solution provided. All Isys hardware can be adapted to utilise any of the following: Proximity, Magstripe, Bar Code, Pin-Code or Biometric readers.
Below is a basic overview of each technology and a + and – breakdown. The below pros and cons should provided the reader with a good understanding of the cost, security, readers and reliability issues with the different technology.
Proximity cards or fobs (iClass, Mifare or bespoke formats) offer the quickest and most user friendly (no alignment sensitivity) read interface, which can also provide other functions like door access, cashless vending etc.
Barcode cards offer the optical immunity from any form of interference, occasionally required when manufacturing heavy plant, or in research facilities. This format also allows integration with other existing barcode readers and systems found in the workplace.
Biometrics provide the greatest protection against fraudulent clocking, or eliminate the need to carry cards or fobs in areas not permitted, such as food processing.
Proximity Technology
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Proximity technology provides easy to use clocking solutions. The terminals can detect the clocking media without direct contact, reducing clocking time and wear and tear.
Proximity is the name for contactless integrated circuit devices. Including either old 125 kHz devices or the newer 13.56 MHz contactless RFID cards, most commonly known as contactless smartcards. Not using a barcode or a magstripe the technology is securely stored within the card making it hard to copy or damage after constant use. Employees have the choice of cards, fobs or stickers with this technology.
Pros
- With Proximity actually imbedded inside a plastic casting i.e.a fob or card the technology is hidden from the elements meaning it is impossible to scratch or damage. It is also waterproof which means its application in extreme environments is also possible.
- There is no wear and tear between reader or card as the technology is contactless.
- To use proximity is quicker than all other technology such as Barcode, Pincode, Biometric or Magstripe.
- All the data is encrypted so copying a card is impossible. Making it the securest solution available on the market.
Cons
- Proximity technology is still relatively expensive when compared to Bar Code, Pin Code, Biometric or Magstripe.
Magstripe
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A magnetic stripe card is a card that stores data on a band of magnetic material on the card. The card is read by physical contact and swiping past a reading head.
Pros
- Magstripe Cards are relatively low-cost to products
Cons
- Magstripe cards are easy to copy and offer the low level of security.
- The Readers are not as weatherproof as standard and are not as robust as Proximity.
- Although quicker than pin code, Magstipe technology is still not that quick to use and can cause bottlenecks.
- Unlike Proximity, Magstripe Technology does not come with a lifetime guarantee.
- Although more robust than Bar Codes Magstripe technology are also easily damaged.
Pin Code
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What is it?
Pin code is a method of identification using the standard key pad on a terminal. Employees key in their unique clocking number to the terminal instead of using a card, fob or finger this is the means of identification.
Pros
- Pin Codes have no cost involved and are effectively free to produce.
- With no physical card or fob issued an employee can never lose their pin number.
Cons
- With employees easily telling other employees there number, pin codes are not that secure.
- Unfortunately it requires the employee remembering their unique number which can cause complications.
- The very nature of having to key in a number means Pin Code is not that quick or easy.
Barcode
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A bar code card is an optical machine-readable representation of data. Bar codes represent data in the widths and the spacing’s of parallel lines often referred to as linear or 1D.
Pros
- Bar-Code cards are low-cost to produce and therefore relatively disposable.
Cons
- Bar Coded cards are very easy to copy and offer the least secure method of control.
- The readers are not as weatherproof as standard and are not as robust as Proximity.
- Reliability of the cards is very poor. A small scratch can mean the bar code reader can no longer read them.
