Commercial/Building Access Control System Integrator: Design, Sales, Installation & Service

Building Access Control System Services -Oak-Brook, IL 60523

Protect your organization from costs involving: Employees, Inventory, Theft, and more.

Andromeda sells, installs, services, and supports a host of recognized, top-quality access control systems in order to provide the best possible solution to your office and building security needs. We focus on Access Control installations for local, medium-sized businesses like yours in Oak Brook, IL.

By integrating an electronic building and office access system with security camera and burglar alarm systems through your computer data network, your business can reap many additional rewards beyond basic security/protection functions involving your employees, your inventory:

• Comprehensive intruder deflection & defense (including detection, restriction)
• Audit-trail and automated attendance reporting (to greatly improve and simplify other aspects of your daily, weekly, and annual tasks!)

Keyless Entry
No need to change locks, make or replace keys

Time-Controlled Access
All devices can be programmed by time-of-day and day-of-week on a "per entry-way" and "per employee" basis

Audit-Trail Reporting
Know who goes where and at what time - all the time!

Time and Attendance Reporting
Paperless time cards with break and lunch verification

Alarm Notification
Produce Email alerts and phone/camera system responses to entry breaches

Dual Authentication
Require two access methods for entry to sensitive areas

Anti-Pass Back
If someone does not enter legally, the same person is unable to exit.
No Tailgating!
Disable access entry at a moments notice.

Telephone System Control/Monitoring
Link 2-way intercom & door control to your phone handsets!

Andromeda Technology Solutions is a technical services provider offering 24/7 emergency response to areas like yours in Oak-Brook, IL 60523 with remote access converging voice, data, surveillance, and access control systems. 

^
Let's Get Started On YOUR Access Control System in Oak Brook, IL

Contact us or fill out the Request form on this page now to ask us to contact you!

We provide Building Access Control system design, installation, help, setup, repair, and tech support throughout Chicagoland and NE Illinois.
Besides the immediate Chicago metropolitan area, we are pleased to provide Access Control services to most of the surrounding suburbs.

AndroPedia Tech Library

As part of our service, it is important to keep our client-partners well informed on Access Control system developments, news, and best practices. Here is just a sampling of typical items from our AndroPedia^SM library archive:

An access control system is a great investment in the overall security of your business. It can help keep criminals out but it can also tap into advanced integration and ramp up other areas of your business.

Here are 5 of the top ways an access control system can improve security and the day to day operations at your business:

1. You have absolute control of the entrances at your building

Unlike a traditional lock and key, an access control system gives you additional control over your building.

You can control what times your doors are accessible. You can also configure different shifts and remove access from employees during hours they aren’t supposed to be in your facility. Additionally, you can install a keypad with personalized pass codes so only approved staff can be on site after hours.

For businesses with sensitive areas inside their building, access control can create special zones within the building to ensure employees aren’t accessing areas where they don’t have clearance.

We often help businesses secure interior areas like server rooms and areas where sensitive information is present. That way, only the staff or technicians you want in those rooms can get in.

2. You can begin tracking different data as well as gather data in new ways.

Because access control systems keep logs of activity, there are many different data points available for tracking.

To build on our example from point 1 – imagine you did choose to secure your server room with access control. After adding this technology you can now produce records of how often people come and go from this room.

On top of this, you can also see exactly who is entering the server room. With this technology you can make sure that there aren’t any unusual behaviors or goings on when you aren’t around.

Another great tracking application of access control is employee time management. You can use these systems and even integrate software/hardware so that your entire clock in/clock out procedure is automated by swiping a card or fob upon entry of your facility.

Imagine the time you would save from switching from physical punch cards or time logs to an automated access control system! And don’t worry, there are features available to make sure that your employees can’t fool the system by passing back cards or clocking in for other employees.

3. Professional access control systems integrate with other hardware to produce an incredible enhanced security experience.

Access control is a great piece of added security to implement at your business. That goes without saying. But where a lot of the magic of security lives is in integrating different systems together.

For example, you can integrate your access control systems with your camera systems to make sure you have footage of all entry and exit at your facility.

You can also integrate your phone system with programming so that you can access to specific locations at your building through your phone system.

One of the most popular instances of this type of integration is centered on your main entrance.

Picture a visitor approaching your building. As this visitor walks towards your front door a camera senses movement and begins recording. Footage of this recording lives on your recorder for review at any time but with new software and integration your receptionist views a live feed of this visitor’s approach from their desktop monitor.

When the visitor gets to the front door, they ring a buzzer that signals the receptionist on their telephone. An intercom at your front door allows the visitor to identify themselves.

At this point, your front desk can confirm the visitor is expected and press a button either on their phone or at their desk to release the access control locks on your front door. This allows the visitor into your building.

Pretty cool right?

4. You have protection against forgetful employees or “accidents”

We’ve all forgotten our keys or forgotten to lock the door at least once.

With access control you can rest easy knowing that your doors are secured. You can set your system up to alert you if an entry is made after hours as well.

**Integration Tip**

With security camera integration you can make sure that nothing strange is going on when an employee enters and exits outside of your normal business window too.

Another added bonus of your access control system comes with programming that alerts you if a door has been left open for an extended period of time. This means that a door won’t accidentally be left ajar after work.

**Integration Tip**  

With special programming you can set up your access control system to integrate you’re your burglar system. With this integration you can program fobs to automatically disarm your alarm system after hours. You can also program your system to alert authorities immediately in specific situations if desired.

5. You get remote access/control of your system

The systems Andromeda installs for our clients have remote programming options that enhance your overall experience and capabilities.

If you want to disable a fob it is as simple as logging in and making changes on your computer. Unlike keys, you don’t have to change the locks when a fob is lost or stolen. Simply deactivate the clearance for that specific fob and it will no longer unlock any doors at your building.

Remote access and control also gives you the ability to lock or unlock your facility from anywhere. If you need to let an employee in the building on a one time basis or want to give a technician access to a zone in your building, you can do so without being physically present.

This is a great tool for most business owners but really comes in handy for property managers. Imagine being able to control access remotely for tenants in the middle of the night or for a worker who needs to get in the building without having to drive across town.

These are just five different ways an access control system can improve your business. With integration there are many more options and capabilities.

If an access control system is something you are considering, please don’t hesitate to call our office and reach out.

We would love to help build a solution that provides all of the above features and unparalleled security for your building.

If you have any questions regarding materials in this brief or any feedback we’d love to hear from you.

To schedule a meeting or speak with our sales & engineering team please give us a call at (815) 836-0030 or email us at Contact@WeNetwork.com

The post 5 Ways an Access Control System Can Improve Your Business appeared first on Andromeda Technology Solutions.

Professional Camera Systems– Which Security Camera’s Right For You?

So you’re interested in professional camera systems for your business . . .

There are many different variables to consider:

• Locations – Inside, outside?
• Purpose – Are these cameras in place to deter theft? Monitor a parking lot? Watch a production line?
• Lighting – Do you need them to capture footage at night? Are there any lights around that might impact image quality or maybe a complete lack of a light source?
• Accessibility – Do the cameras need to be out of reach? If they are outside, is there space to attach them to the building?

These are just a few things to consider and there are many more.

That being said, one major factor can impact all of these and is one of the first things you should consider.

Analog or IP Professional Camera Systems?

That may sound like another language but for the most part, the difference boils down to how a video signal is delivered.

Basically, Analog cameras turn video footage into a format that is received by your recording device (DVR) and displayed on a monitor or television. IP security cameras send their footage over cable or wireless and the footage is decoded by a network device. Essentially, IP security cameras run on a network and the system is more like an extension of your IT infrastructure while Analog professional camera systems are a separate type of technology.

This may sound confusing but at the end of the day both systems can get the job done.

As always, our goal is to take the complication out of technology and provide our customers with a solution that simply works.

That being said, here are some simple pros and cons for both systems that should help you figure out which is right for you.

Analog Professional Camera Systems

Benefits –

• Budget Friendly – an analog system is often the less expensive option.
• Variety & Custom Design Options – Analog systems tend to be easier to customize. With a large variety of camera styles and functions, these systems answer your unique needs and if you believe that your job requires some specific or unusual surveillance components, analog may be your best option.
• Dependable Technology – analog systems have been around a very long time and as such, have many software and hardware compatibilities. If you want a camera system that can integrate well with other technologies, it is important to look into compatibility before choosing anything.

Disadvantages –

• Security risks – these days we have to consider cyber security and while the probability of this happening remains low, the analog signals cannot be encrypted which means that someone else could get their hands on our signal.
• Certain features missing – While most anything you are looking to do are possible on analog systems, there are limitations. Digital zoom is one example. For images that you will need to zoom a lot and maintain clear images, analog may not be your best option.

Image quality limits – One of the most well-known drawbacks of digital systems is that the image quality is not always as clear as the IP alternative. If a crystal clear image is something you are after, it is best to consider all variables, desired zoom, PTZ requirements, face recognition, lighting etc.

IP Professional Camera Systems

Benefits –

• Less signal interference/higher security – As this is a different type of signal run on a network, there is less likelihood for signal interference. Also, these systems are able to encrypt and further secure data. This means higher security and less risk of intrusion into your security system.
• More remote access possibilities – it should be stated that today’s analog systems have remote access capabilities and software but IP systems have a large array of options for remote viewing. PC, laptop, smartphone or tablet, all are places you can review your footage.
• Wireless options – because these systems can use your existing infrastructure, they don’t always need heavy wiring and can often take advantage of wireless technology. This gives you more flexibility for system design at times.

Disadvantages –

• Higher costs – IP cameras can run a large range of prices. It isn’t abnormal to pay a thousand or even several thousand dollars for a single camera depending on the specifications. On top of this, if your network doesn’t have proper setup, you may need to invest to get things up to speed.
• Bandwidth requirements – as with anything on your network, you are adding demand to your bandwidth. With this in mind it is important to make sure that you don’t need to increase your service. Will adding the security system to your network slow things down in the office? Make sure to discuss this with your vendor and your service provider.

With the different options on the market for security cameras, it is important that you consider your unique needs and compare them before purchasing any professional camera systems. Don’t allow a vendor to push you any one way without exploring the different technologies and how they fit your business.

A vendor who can supply both IP and Analog systems is a great place to start.

Andromeda has professional teams and representatives available to help you discuss your project and provide you with plans for the system that fits your needs; IP, Analog or even a mixture of both.

The post IP Or Analog? The benefits and disadvantages of both professional camera systems appeared first on Andromeda Technology Solutions.

There's a new malware threat to be aware of, called "CookieThief," which is an apt name that describes what the malware does. Honestly though, the Hackers missed the mark here. "CookieMonster" would have been a much better name option.

In any case, it's part of a growing new collection of malware strains that is able to steal browser and app cookies from infected devices.

It was discovered by Kaspersky Labs. Although the researchers tracking the new strain say that they're not yet sure how the malware made its way onto infected devices in the first place.

In all, the company is tracking slightly more than a thousand infections, though that number is increasing by the day. In the cases that the researchers have investigated deeply, Facebook cookies appear to be of prime interest to the hackers, allowing them to gain account access and track user movements across the social media platform.

The Kaspersky team stressed that there is no particular security flaw or vulnerability that the hackers behind the code are exploiting. They're simply pointing out where their main area of interest appears to be. During their analysis, the group found a fork of the code. It is similar but with a few distinct differences. The forked code launches a proxy on the infected device that makes access requests appear legitimate.

The researchers had this to say about the forked code:

"By combining these two attacks, cyber criminals can gain complete control over the victim's account and not raise suspicion from Facebook. From there, the criminals can pose as the victim and take control of their social networking account to distribute undesirable content."

While there are many more destructive uses that such a Trojan could be used for, the main goal of the hackers in this case appears to be to use compromised accounts to spread fake news stories. Even so, it's something to be on alert for, as it would be easy to modify it to make it much more destructive.

Aggregated