The natural progression from mechanical systems is to replace the mechanical key with an electronic token. This token can take the shape of a key, card, or fob.

This is where electronic access control systems have an enormous advantage over mechanical systems because each token signature is unique and can be programmed or traced throughout the system. This means if a token is lost not only can it be removed from a system very easily, but if the token is used again it can raise an alarm.

It is also possible to create reports for attendance or to find someone within a large building based on where they last used their token. In sensitive areas such as drug and armament stores we can restrict access so that two people must be present at all times.

There are so many reporting or programming possibilities which can include time and attendance, shift work, holidays, fire alarm roll call aswell as one-off visitor tokens. If the token is in the shape of a credit card you can use it for photo ID aswell.

The whole access control system including camera, printer and encoder can be provided to the client so that they can administer the system themselves. It is very normal that clients take control of the operation and management of their systems.

Access control technologies are advancing at a very rapid rate so the control and management of systems is becoming much easier with well developed software that can operate over networks spanning several offices or buildings across the country if necessary.