Prox Card Readers

Prox Card Readers

Access control systems can be a vital safety component of various properties. Whether you are running a hotel or business with sensitive data, or you want to protect valuable possessions, access control can be of great assistance.

Card readers are a popular solution for a door lock system. You can choose between card readers who rely on a magnetic swipe and those who utilize proximity.

Magnetic Swipe Card Readers

The main reason why users love using magnetic card readers, and keycards is their simplicity. It all comes down to getting close to the reader and swiping your magnetic keycard. Even if you haven’t opened a door using this technology before, the chances are you’ve used it at least once to pay with a credit card.

If you take a look at the magnetic card, you will find that it features a stripe. The stripe is a crucial part of the card because it contains vital information that will open a particular door. Everything is pre-programmed by the experts who set up your door lock solution. They will set up the card reader as a component of your door, and add all the required information to the cards you want to use to open it. You distribute these cards to the desired personnel or guests. Since those cards contain the magnetic information for that particular door, using them will be the only way to enter.

Once you get close to the door, you will notice a slot for the card. You get close with your magnetic keycard and swipe it through the designated slot. If the reader is equipped with a LED light, its color might turn from red to green. Either way, you should hear the sound of the system unlocking the door. That means you can open them and get inside. Once you close the door, they will lock automatically. Nobody from the outside can get in without having a suitable magnetic keycard. If you want to simplify the process of exiting, you can have a door handle on the inside.

Magnetic swipe card readers are fairly affordable, which is why you will see them in big hotels and companies. They are a safe solution, and the only way to compromise security is to lose a keycard.

Proximity (RFID) Card Readers

Proximity readers are a newer solution than magnetic swipes. These devices utilize RFID or radio frequency identification technology. You can find this approach used in clothing stores and other businesses where keeping track of inventory is essential.

The biggest advantage of proximity card readers is that they do not require swiping a card. Instead, all that the user has to do is to get it close to the reader, which will automatically recognize the information required to unlock the door.
You can use a classic keycard to open the door, but these systems frequently come with a key fob. A fob is a short name for a frequency-operated button, and these are small devices equipped to communicate with the reader on the door. The most frequent form of a fob is a keychain.

The advantage of proximity systems is that you can also unlock the door with portable devices like smartphones and smartwatches. You can load the information required to communicate with the reader on your smartwatch. The only thing to ensure is that you are close enough to the reader, and the watch sends RFID signals to the system. If the system recognizes the information delivered, it opens the door automatically. For safety reasons, as soon as you get in and close them, the door will lock immediately.

A proximity door lock system cannot function without a card reader. It is an essential component, and the main difference between these readers is in their coverage range. Some require you to get as close as a couple of inches, while others cover a bigger distance. Depending on your preferences, RFID systems can be both affordable and premium solutions.

The fact that you don’t even need a card is a huge advantage. You might lose the keycard, but it is hard to imagine that you will lose your phone or smartwatch. Additionally, proximity readers accelerate the process. There is no danger of other devices demagnetizing the keycard and rendering it unusable.

If you are interested in implementing a card reader solution, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We can assess your requirements and premises, and suggest the best possible alternative. Whether you are looking for a simple and affordable or a complex solution, we will be up to the task.

Contact us today and improve the security of your property by installing a card reader!