The Internet is little more than a communications backbone providing global connectivity. One that’s seen huge growth driven by the need to globally-connect PC-based IT systems. In the same way that it has revolutionised these systems, it’s now poised to do the same for the embedded market.
In other words, those ‘machines’ operating without human intervention or control. A new machine-to-machine communication infrastructure that allows remote equipment to be integrated with existing office-based IT systems.
Since security and access control systems are largely dominated by many remote embedded designs linking to central monitoring stations, Internet technology would appear to offer many benefits for the end user. Internet protocols are robust, providing standard solutions without the need to design proprietary protocols. This enables access control system manufacturers develop partnerships with other manufacturers aimed at extending the overall system.
The Internet also offers access at local call charge rates or less, the servers are always online and are designed to handle multiple connections simultaneously – avoiding central site ‘bottlenecks’.
Importantly, remote equipment can be monitored and controlled through a standard PC browser via embedded Web server technology integrated directly into the access control system. There’s no longer any need to develop proprietary Graphical User Interfaces.
At Comtech, we feel that we’ve found the answer for end users who want to manage access control at remote sites over the World Wide Web. The generic solution allows information – data and video, etc – to flow in both directions, from remote equipment to a secure website and vice versa. The information can then be viewed as a simple web page.
Comtech technology is already being used in various OEM’s security systems. Visitors to this year’s IFSEC Exhibition and Conference should take a look on Stand B145 in Hall 6, where Intellikey Euro is displaying an intelligent, programmable electronic key system with Comtech technology at its core.
Steve Whitehead is technical director at Comtech (www.comtech.uk.com)
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