Security Products' Next Frontier

By Ralph C Jensen · November 11, 2008

Security Products begins something new this week: We’re becoming bloggers. It's technology at its finest, and to make our blog one that provides current and critical information, we’ve enlisted the help of a well-known industry expert.

I’m pleased to introduce Steve Van Till, president and CEO of Brivo, as the Security Products' blogger. We will introduce topics of interest, starting with access control. After that, we’ll depend largely on you, our experienced, intelligent and opinionated readers, to take the conversation from there. Let us hear from you! Share your thoughts, your experiences, your views, your 2 cents.

We will spend 10 working days per topic; then, on the proper Monday, we will introduce a new topic to discuss.

Steve will headline our efforts to better understand access control. His point of view is his own, but in several meetings and conversations with him, I have found his intellect and his uncanny ability to help anyone understand his interpretation thoughtful and intriguing. I’m sure you’ll feel the same way.

So, let’s begin. With introductions out of the way, we’re going to start with IP-based access control.

Not all IP products are created equal. What’s behind your browser?

IP-based products are scattered throughout the security industry landscape, and many claim to provide Web-based access control. When you look behind the browser, you’ll find significant differences. Some connect you to a control panel; some use a server and some don’t.

The fact is, there are at least three distinct types of IP-based access control systems available today. Let’s talk about the types of systems and benefits for different customer requirements.

For starters, let’s begin with embedded IP access.

About the author

Ralph C Jensen
Ralph C. Jensen is editor-in-chief of Security Products magazine.

You can visit the company Web site at 1105 Media Inc. .


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