What our experts say …
The small business market is set to benefit from Motorola’s single-door proximity card reader with integral coded access control. The reader has a capacity of 128 users and can be programmed locally by the on-board keypad, or remotely via a PC link with the included software. The system can be configured to allow users to gain entry either with or without a PIN code.
Manufactured in Korea, the SDC1000 is distributed from Motorola’s base in California to the UK and Europe. The reader has limited availability in the UK – at the time of writing we could only find one outlet for the device, in Cardiff, and it only supplies to existing account holders. Neither the Cardiff distributor nor Motorola were able to quote a UK price per unit, though we did manage to ascertain a guide price by converting from US dollars to sterling, at around GB pound 285 + VAT. A larger capacity model is also available for up to 512 users, at around GB pound 315 + VAT. The SDC1000 carries the European CE mark and includes a three-year warranty.
Construction:The reader head coil and access control software are housed in a dark grey polycarbonate case with back illuminated keys and three coloured LED indicators. The unit is a small, attractive surface mounted device which snap fits on to a concealed backplate. The case is not designed to be removed from the wall once clicked into place on the backplate, since the locking pins will break. So test the SDC1000 thoroughly before locking into place! The three coloured LEDs mounted inside the unit illuminate through the polycarbonate trim to give the user indication of system status. The flashing amber LED indicates normal standby status; the green LED shows user accepted and/or lock released; and the red LED warns of incorrect procedure such as unprogrammed card or incorrect PIN code. Each of the functions is accompanied by its respective multi-tone annunciation from the on-board piezo.
A great deal of programmability is included within the controlling software, which makes for a very flexible piece of kit. As well as the expected NO/NC lock release relay, the system has a clean alarm relay output to respond to the controlled door being either left open or forced open, plus a doorbell annunciation output. A transistorised alarm output is also provided for connection to an auto-dialler or any silent warning device. This output responds to either a duress keypad code, or a normally open alarm device input such as a PIR, when the system is set to the ‘secure mode’. Effectively then, the system contains a rudimentary alarm system, armed by entering a (non-programmable) arming code, and disarmed by the first authorised card/PIN user to return to the reader. An egress button input is provided, again of the normally open type.
The reader arrived with a short (40cm) length of screened 22-core cable to connect to ancillary devices. This supplied lead was far too short to be practical – we can only assume the lead was deliberately cut down for the test model supplied.
Operation: The reader uses a 26-bit Wiegand version of proximity detection – a passive system using an embedded coil within the card to receive the emitted energy and transmit back a handshake to the reader. There are no replaceable parts or batteries inside the card, and they are available in credit card size or as a keyfob style token. The cards worked well even when subjected to extended periods of extreme temperature, and continued to perform after a fair amount of mechanical shock. They will fail though, if the internal coil is fractured or broken in any way such as bending the card. The cards seemed very robust, so bending and creasing of the coil should not be a problem.
The reader was found to be trouble-free for the duration of the test, working consistently at about 100mm from the face of the keypad. The proximity reader relay output is contained within the keypad controller, and is a NO/NC changeover type to accommodate any type of electric locking device. Each card pass is accompanied by a melodic tone burst, and although the output volume cannot be adjusted, tones can be programmed for silent operation.
Programming: Ideally, installers and users will make changes to the system using a permanent connection to a local PC via an RS-232 serial data link. The application software, Flexpass SDC1000, is supplied with the kit in the form of a mini CD and contains a very useful user database, with intuitive data entry and search control, together with a time and date stamp of all data changes and on-going system use.
For the purposes of the test, however, all programming was affected using the on-board keypad. Access to the program mode can be achieved by either a selectable six-digit engineering code, or allowing the unit to read the configuration card. This latter method is certainly the easiest option when performing a simple task such as adding to or deleting existing cards from the system. All other system functions and timers are programmed in a conventional way, by logging on then entering a command followed by a value. Although installers programming at the keypad will rely on beeps and LED colours to indicate the progress of the program changes, it was not found to be at all difficult in practice.
All the installation and programming information is contained in a three inch square 34-page booklet. It is accordingly difficult to read – most especially the wiring diagrams, though the mini CD supplied with the kit contains the installation manual, along with the application software to control the system via an RS-232 communications link to a local PC.
What the manufacturer says …
Customers all over the world have asked Motorola to offer a product for the single door market – here it is. The new one-piece Motorola FlexPass SDC1000 single door controller is designed to offer a simple and cost-effective solution for small businesses. It is user-friendly, works with contactless radio frequency identification technology and can link to alarms and PIRs to secure comprehensively a small business or office.
With its alarm features, independently controlled inputs and outputs and event log application software, the SDC1000 can be customised to suit virtually any installation. An important feature is its extensive input/output support. It can be connected directly to devices such as motion detectors, chimes, door strikes, request-to-exit buttons and various types of alarms.
It can even activate an auto-dialler to call a monitoring service, law enforcement agency, pager or mobile phone to signal that an alarm has occurred. The easy-to-use application software allows users to track access and alarm events and add or delete users, via a personal computer linked to the SDC1000 through a simple RS232 interface. The PC software is an alternative way for the operator to enter parameters, which can also be entered directly via the unit’s keypad.
This kit is an ideal solution for many growing small businesses because a company can expand, migrate to a full access control system and not have to re-badge employees. Customers can add the FlexPass SDC1000 to an existing security system to provide entry to remote locations, without the need for separate ID badges. This makes it ideal for toolsheds, remote equipment shelters, hospital drug stores and cellular radio sites.
Currently we sell directly only to OEM companies i.e. those which manufacture an access control system controller. As Tyco manufacture a system, we will sell to them as an OEM and they will sell on to ADT as the dealer. Similarly our distributor in the UK, MR Access, will sell to the OEM market, who will sell to dealers.
