First launched in November 2019, Paxton10 is a combined access control and video management platform, designed to make life easier for end-users by simplifying their security system into a single interface. After two years where a global pandemic has dominated the nature of business, IFSEC Global catches up with Gareth O’Hara, Chief Sales Officer at Paxton, to find out how the system continues to support end-users and installers thanks to its most recent updates.
You can meet with the Paxton team and find out more about Paxton10 at IFSEC International 2022, taking place between 17-19 May at London’s ExCeL. Paxton will be on stand IF4210!
Gareth O’Hara, Chief Sales Officer at Paxton
Gareth O’Hara (GH): Sure, James. Paxton10 is an out of the box solution that combines access control and video management on a single platform. It’s designed to be extremely versatile, supporting wired and wireless access control, it works with our video door entry system, the Paxton10 range of cameras and supports the use of third-party IP cameras and intruder and fire systems.
You access the system via the web-based user interface, and can browse to your system from anywhere in the world – as long as you have an internet connection.
I think the biggest differentiator for it in the market is Paxton10’s versatility, and the fact that it genuinely combines two disciplines into one solution. It means that integrators don’t need to find a way of integrating two disparate systems together, and makes it easier for end-users with only one platform to work with and train security staff on.
GH: We have been working with video management systems for many years. Our Net2 access control system integrates with over 30 video manufacturers’ systems, and video remains the most frequently requested integration. This validates our belief that the combination of access and video is undeniably useful.
As a result, we wanted to take it one stage further in regard to how simple the integration process can be, and to do that we needed to have our own range of cameras. A Paxton10 camera is the simplest IP camera to set up, it takes literally seconds to configure and be able to view and record footage – all of the intelligence, firmware and data processing is Paxton’s own.
“It’s due to the advancements in technology that we as system users expect more, and that is why it is inevitable that the combination of useful technologies such as access control and video management are becoming more of an expectation than an option for many types of buildings.”
To your point, we are best known for our access control solutions and we acknowledge that many installers will have their preferred brands of IP camera that they wish to use. Or, there will be cases where an end user does not want the expense of replacing an existing camera installation, for these reasons we do also support the use of third-party cameras with and Paxton10 system.
And, while there’s an added step, the process for integration is still very straightforward. Installers just need to identify the camera on the system, run through a few extra settings checks and it should all connect.
GH: Paxton10 does support multi-site functionality. Each Paxton10 server can support up to 100 sites, up to 1000 doors, 1000 cameras and up to 50,000 users. This is achieved using cloud-based technology, acting as an encrypted relay of information, in combination with the physical Paxton10 server.
We believe this really helps to bridge the gap for growing businesses who are opening new sites and locations. As a consequence, end-users don’t require physical IT infrastructure at every branch – rather the main Paxton10 hub can be set up at HQ and connected to other sites. For example, we’ve got the system working in several car dealerships, who often operate a head office-branch network type business model.
GH: The Paxton key app allows system users to issue smart credentials with ease and convenience. Our smart credentials do not require a license and are completely free of charge. A system user simply sends an email to the recipient who downloads the app, enters their unique ID and that’s it – the process takes less than 20 seconds.
There are many benefits of the Paxton Key app for a system user, for example everything can be managed without the need to register and distribute physical tokens as well as the cost benefit of not having to purchase endless amounts of tokens. It also prevents tokens being shared without permission and makes the system extremely scalable.
While I do believe there is still a place for cards in access control, the uptake of smart credentials is really growing. They can allow for more efficient management of sites, and you’ve also got the added factor of multi-factor biometric authentication being required to actually access the credential itself – phones are generally unlocked with some kind of facial or fingerprint reader these days – so you’re adding to your security processes.
Plus, people lose cards – rarely do people forget or easily lose their phone!
GH: I believe that as users of technology, our expectations have shifted significantly in a short space of time. We now expect that we have access to all the information we require at the touch of a button, we don’t want to have to spend significant time trying to get access to things we find useful. This is probably best represented in the constant evolution of the how and what we use our mobile phones for on a day-to-day basis.
It’s due to the advancements in technology that we as system users expect more, and that is why it is inevitable that the combination of useful technologies such as access control and video management are becoming more of an expectation than an option for many types of buildings.
The benefits to an end user are widespread, the main benefit I would suggest is the simplicity of fewer systems to manage, and all the cost-based benefits that surround that. Training, maintenance, technical support, all these things are made easier if you do not rely on multiple manufacturers products to make a single system.
Simplicity is the key, and if you can combine fire safety devices and intruder alarms, which are very much safety and security pre-requisites for properties, with access control and video surveillance into one platform, then end-users’ lives are much simpler. Clearly, that requires trust in the solutions provider – something that Paxton values highly with six days-a-week tech support and calls going straight through to a support technician.
GH: For installations that require the combination of access control and video management packaged into one system, we truly believe Paxton10 offers a versatile answer to those needs. It’s our most simple system we’ve ever produced – from a quotation, commissioning and installation viewpoint.
To, Paxton10 is licence free and customers are able to manage multiple sites from a single platform, enabling easy scalability and flexibility with up to 1000 doors and 1000 cameras per system.
Particularly for those who already work with our PaxLock and Paxton Video Entry systems, it integrates natively with these, as well as with fire and intruder systems.
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