Access technology

1. Introduction

I've had a quick look at the technology available to provide more +flexible access control into and within 7VT.

Per our previous discussion, it's worth distinguishing at least four +types of access we might consider (thanks to Majk for filling in details):

Front door

Outer door + Two yale locks
Inner door + Motorised. Currently push-panel activated in both directions, or just from inside + (locked from outside), or continuously open. Entryphone provides audio, but +no longer video, to remote panels on 1st (kitchen) and 2nd (outside the meeting +room) floors as well as a handset by the front desk, all of which can unlock +the inner door temporarily

Upper Bow stair door

Not locked from inside, yale lock for +entry from the stair. Will trigger intruder alarm if it's enabled.

Internal doors

Office + Yale lock
Kitchen + Yale lock
Various cupboards + Yale locks

Elevator

Currently can be turned off by a switch in the plant +room, not currently locked.

(I've assumed we won't change the exit-only emergency nature of the +double-doors at the bottom of the main staircase.)

Most of the companies whose websites I've looked at are aimed at either +homeowners or businesses. Some of the business-orientated ones at least +mention small businesses, which is probably the closest we're going to get for +our needs.

Below are summaries of the offerings from a few of the companies I've +looked at. We would not deal directly with any of them, but would need to +contract with a local specialist firm for installation. I presume we've got +someone on the books for maintainance of the current entryphone/door-opener +etc., but we may need a different outfit for a new system.

I've attempted estimates of cost below, but they are very +much under-informed by hard facts. I found one quote from an installer, copied +below, but I think for what we want that's an under-estimate by at least a +factor of two.

"The average starting cost for an access control security system is around £500-£800 per door. The average starting price for installing an access control system is around £300. A typical maintenance visit would cost you around £75-£125. It would cost you on average £92 to have your access control system repaired."

2. Manufacturers

2.1. Paxton

Recommended by the team at Augustine United: "the Paxton Net2 system [is] +very popular and something of a market leader".

Two relevant devices: A standard entry-panel and a door-latch.

Both are activated by a proximity card or fob, and both can be installed +for standalone use, with a master card used to +enable access cards, or as part of a network-controlled system for much more sophisticated usage patterns.

"Staff and visitors are issued with electronic tokens instead of +keys. User tokens can be added to the system in seconds by presenting an enrolment card to the door/entry-panel. + + +"If someone loses their token, it can be simply barred from the system by presenting a shadow card to a reader."

The entry-panel version would be the candidate for the front door, +replacing the existing panel.

The standalone system has three components: the entry panel, the +monitor(s) and the controller. I assume multiple monitors can be +used. It's not easy to find prices, but I am pretty confident that the parts +we need should be available for between £1000–2000. Installation would +be at least a person-day, I would guess, so could easily be £500 or more.

Upgrading to the next level, with full (PC and mobile app) software-based control of +token-holders, remote management, etc. would probably be as much again.

I think that only a further upgrade, and replacement of the +door panel, would get us to mobile-as-keycard functionality.

2.2. [Failed to find another system I could match to our needs]

I looked at approaching a dozen other websites, and they were all badly +designed, as well as being targeted at multi-tenant apartment buildings.

3. Local installers

3.1. Eden Group

List Paxton as a brand they supply, "Paxton Gold" supplier. 25 mostly good Google +reviews, mostly aerials rather than security, +individuals not corporate...

3.2. Safe Simple +Secure (S-S-S)

"Paxton Gold" supplier, security only, 125 Google reviews, 5-star +overall, at least one regarding commercial premises.

4. Next steps

Get a recommendation for an installer from Paxton's list, from Paradise +Green (the folks at AU), failing which go with S-S-S.

Invite them around for a visit and discussion, leading to an RFQ.

Get a quote from one other outfit at least (but maybe not yet?).