It’s hard to get integrators to jump on the bandwagon for just any technology. They’re a smart lot and want to know exactly what the benefits will be to the end-user because that’s how they sell it. In access control, IP technology is something they can’t seem to curb their enthusiasm over.

Access control systems (ACS) that reside on the network with an appliance or server, or those which are hosted or Software as a Service (SaaS), provide tangible savings in deployment and total cost of ownership (TCO). For the user, there’s the familiarity of the Internet to access and manage the facility, from anywhere the network is present or accessible. For the integrator, Web-based access control brings additional recurring revenue from maintenance, service and technical and managed services support.

When you put access control on the network, you open a world of possibilities, according to John Moss, chief executive officer of S2 Security Corp., Framingham, Mass. “There’s a huge savings in TCO, especially in an enterprise application, when you can eliminate wires and also, use Web-browser-based software. You can manage any asset from anywhere the network is available. Once you’re on the network, you can use power over Ethernet to operate electric strikes and more. One thing we know is that the end-user is driving the IP access control market and smart integrators find it quite cost effective to install,” he said. S2’s NetBox is an integrated physical security management system which uses network appliance architecture. The system provides credential-based access control, event and alarm monitoring, video surveillance, analog temperature monitoring and VoIP communications. Control is through a network appliance that delivers a user interface using only a traditional Web browser.

“The system operates like a common Web site, so users adapt to its sophisticated features with minimal training,” Moss said.

There’s more to this story. The migration to IP continues to play a huge role in the evolution of security dealer to systems integrator and now, value-added reseller.

Tim Feury, president of Altec Systems Inc. in Marietta, Ga., has been offering Web-based access control for several years, with positive results.