Videx has launched a standalone fingerprint reader targeted at smaller installations.The London-based access control specialist is targeting the B100 reader at small offices, nurseries, schools and private residential dwellings. As such it “would be an ideal place to start for any installers who have not yet ventured into the biometric access control market,” according to the company’s special projects manager.
For years biometric technologies seemed impossibly futuristic, were restricted to high security installations with huge budgets and often plagued by reliability issues.
But Videx’s latest launch reflects the normalisation of a technology that is now a feasible mode of access control for a wide range of premises and sectors. Last year it was revealed that four out of 10 secondary schools had already used fingerprint scanners to identify pupils.
Nevertheless, card- or pin-based readers still dominate workplaces and IFSEC Global research has suggested that many end users have misgivings about the reliability of biometrics technology.
More secure
Steve Natton, special projects manager at Videx, says that more watertight security is a compelling enough reason to drive adoption in a range of industries.
“Biometric access control is a growing market and a viable alternative to proximity and coded access,” he said. “When it comes to access control, a fingerprint is the most secure means of authentication because PIN numbers can be discovered and fobs or tokens can be lost, copied or shared among people.
“Videx have been offering fingerprint readers for several years but they have only been available for larger access control systems using separate control units. The B100 self-contained readers are primarily for smaller installations and would be an ideal place to start for any installers who have not yet ventured into the biometric access control market.”
The new reader is available in two versions. The B100-SA surface-mount version can accommodate up to 97 users, be used internally or externally and has an IP rating IP65.
The DINB100-SA is flush mount model and can only be used internally and has an IP40 rating. It fits a standard flush, single gang UK electrical box and is available in six colours.
New users are enrolled from the reader, so no PC is required. A signal indicating whether access has been granted or denied is sent through an integral sounder and the tri-state fascia illumination.
The integral relay is then activated for the programmed time. The relay can be remote using a serial bus to a touch-to-exit device on the secure side of the building. The touch-to-exit is both a means of exiting the building and a remote relay for the finger-print reader.
The exit readers are also available in two formats. The RTT-EXIT is the surface version and the DINRTT-EXIT a flush version for a single gang UK electrical box.
“A good example of where the B100 reader can be used is in a small office block where staff can gain access to secure parts of the building or schools and nurseries where the teachers and staff can gain access simply and conveniently while restricting access to visitors and children,” continues Natton.
“Fingerprint readers eliminate the problem of users sharing access codes and key fobs.”
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