SALTO - Wireless Access Control

Last year we wrote about SALTO access control systems. We update this information with some of their latest introductions.

Imagine being able to control all the doors in a building from one central location with just the click of a mouse. Imagine being able to monitor your access network, delete key cards and download audit trail information all in real-time.

Imagine being able to do all of this without wires. SALTO was the first company to develop electronic access control without the need for expensive hard wiring with their SALTO Virtual Network data on card technology.

Now, in response to market needs, they’re introducing the SALTO real-time battery powered wireless system.




SALTO wireless system is an on-line real-time battery powered access control system that uses radio frequency technology to communicate in real-time with the central computer.

The wireless electronic escutcheons

Huge range of solutions for almost any kind of door compatible with European, Scandinavian, ANSI (American National Standards Institute) or Australian mortise locks. For panic bar doors, glass door
locks and even narrow profile doors.

The SALTO escutcheons are compatible with Mifare, Mifare plus, DESfire, DESfire EV1, Picopass, iClass and Skidata and NFC.So you can use existing RFID cards, reducing start up costs, and minimizing system commissioning issues.

The SALTO escutcheon is intelligent and takes the decision to grant or deny access based on the users rights. The answer is immediate with no communication needed with the server or controllers, avoiding possible network problems and no emergency master key needed.

In case of network failure, access is granted through SALTO Virtual Network technology without compromising security or the user’s access rights.

System Benefits

• The SALTO wireless system combines the efficiency of both on-line and off-line applications in a single system.
• Real-time communication with state-of-the-art SALTO stand alone battery powered escutcheons simplifies security management and provides unrivalled levels of access control flexibility.
• It uses AES128 bits encrypted radio frequency communication based on IEEE 802.15.4 at 2,4Ghz to transfer information from escutcheons to the PC through strategically located gateways or repeaters.
• The wireless system is so efficient that battery power consumption is close to that of our standard battery powered electronic escutcheons.
• Real time audit trail: View door access in real time without having to visit the door.
• Real time door control: view door status in real time.
• Real time battery control: Monitor battery maintenance by viewing the lock battery status in real time.
• Key management: Resolved in real time as the locks receive cancelled key updates as soon as they are generated.
• Any number of doors can be equipped with the SALTO wireless system at much lower cost than a conventional wired access control solution.
• Gateways and repeaters act as antennas, collecting and sending information from the PC to the stand alone wireless locks. One gateway can manage several repeaters and electronic escutcheons, minimizing infrastructure costs and maximizing flexibility.
• The SALTO wireless system is compatible with most common RFID technologies including Mifare/DESfire, Inside Picopass, Legic and HID iClass. This makes integration easy and in most cases you can continue using your existing cards for all your applications.

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Creve Coeur MO Crime Statistics 30 Days to August 18 2010

I reside in the town of Creve Coeur, MO. My town, like most other regions across the country is not immune to crime.

This month we report the latest statistics reported by the Creve Coeur Police Department.

Theft - 44

Alarm Response - 120

Break & Enter - 3

Robbery - 2

We display the incidents listed above. This does not include all incidents, but just an example of the types and quantities of incidents requiring police attendance.

The surprising high quantity of alarm calls includes fire alarms and burglar alarms. Many of these incidents may include false alarms, but this indicates that either the alarm systems may be faulty or people accidentally set off their alarms and did not call their security company to cancel.

The police do not attend for nothing. Often there is a significant charge to the resident for police attendance and fire service or emergency service attendance, on top of the already steep taxes we residents pay to these departments.

For precise locations of the incidents, click on the source.

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PTZ WiFi CCTV Camera

I recently installed some of these CCTV cameras to a small business intent on securely monitoring their property.

Surprisingly inexpensive and made from very good quality components, the abilities of this wondrous gizmo are astonishing considering it retails for a little less than $100.

It comes with purposely built software allowing for up to 9 cameras to be viewed on your computer. Each camera maintains it's own IP address, enabling you to use Direct DNS systems to view the content (what it sees) over the internet.

It has a limited zoom capability but the pan and tilt functions are superb. It has an ethernet port allowing for wired connections too, apart from WiFi. Sometimes WiFi signals can be interrupted by brick walls and significant cabling and wiring built into the infrastructure of buildings. This is why they have included the ethernet port, to allow for hard wired access too.

I am experimenting with PoE (power over ethernet) devices too, which will allow for installing quasi-wireless systems using the existing electricity supply in dwellings. Effectively, PoE might just be the answer to our prayers for enabling wireless control of computer peripherals without necessarily using a wireless router.

I must say, I'm fairly impressed by this product and so far my customer seems to be reasonably happy too.

Biometric Fingerprint Door Locks (or not)...

I strongly recommend that prospective customers of biometric products, thoroughly investigate and evaluate their decision making prior to purchasing some biometric fingerprint locks.

The fault above is common to a number of different manufacturers. There are other bypasses too, but this is one of the more simple ones to understand.

When you also consider that fingerprint locks seem to have difficulty scanning the prints of elder people, you might want to reconsider seriously your impetus for purchasing this kind of product.

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Some Safes Should Not Be Called Safes...

Many of the above style of safes can be found at the big box hardware and department stores, like Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, K-Mart and Target. These "safes" are marketed as secure but in fact are by no means worthy of being titled "safe".

What do you think? Would you purchase something like this to secure your valuables? I hope not!

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Kwikset Smartkey Fault... more problems

I certainly hope you havent invested in the latest Kwikset Smartkey technology. The problems with this product continue to mount.

Baldwin products were recently purchased by the same parent company as Kwikset and have started making their locks and hardware using the same types of cylinders.

If you purchase new products from any of these related manufacturers, you need to be aware that the techniques for opening these locks are too easy to duplicate.

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New ANSI Gr 1 Push Button Entrance Hardware about to be released...

Standard Features

Fingerprints Accepted: No

Biometric Sensor Type: No

PIN Codes Accepted: 99 users + 3 Admin codes (for programming)

Mechanical Key Override: Yes

Cylinder Type: Mortise rim cylinder (replaceable). Schalge "C" keyway; 6-pin

2 keys included

Latch Type: ANSI Grade 1, US Apartment-style mortise (with deadbolt)

Door Thickness: 1-3/8 to 2 inches

Certifications: CE, ANSI, UL

Power Source: 4 AA batteries (6v)

Hardwired: No

Install Outdoors: Yes

Weatherproof: Yes

Handedness: Field Reversible by installation professional

Available Finishes: Satin Nickel (US15), Satin Chrome (US26D), Polished Brass (US3)

Antique Brass (US5), Chrome (US26)

Warranty: One Year

Special Features: One-Time Passage Mode, Free-Wheeling Clutch design,

Free Passage Mode (keeps SK1 unlocked), Individual user removal

Audit Trail: No

Networking: No

Installation Rating: Professional

Fits doors machined per ANSI A115.1 (Type 86) Mortise Lock prep

Applications: Residential, Commercial, Outdoors or Indoors

Accessories/Upgrades: Curved Lever (shown above) is standard. Specify ADA Lever

or Straight Lever when ordering.

This product has not been released yet, but it planned for release soon. More information when available.

Our most popular searches for July 2010 include...

The month of July, 2010 realized 397 direct hits from searches on this website. Just short of our all time monthly record, it shows a definite upward trend in hits from search results.

Month over month we show a 27% increase in search query results.

Pictured to the left we show the more popular search terms from our analytics. These terms are collected from all the search engines and are the most common searched for terms that lead people to this site.

While I am pleasantly surprised at the inclusion of our signature product Bilock into this months list, Pocket door locks with key, continues to post significant gains in popularity. Interesting too is the quantity of searches for Schlage Securekey Problems.

We are finding increasing quantities of calls locally for door repairs, especially due to the increased extreme weather conditions experienced this year. These door repairs include warping thresholds, doors dropping, hinges loose etc.

Our primary training is in the field of locksmithing, but locksmithing actually is an amalgamation of a number of other specialist trades. Specifically Boilermaker, Fitter and Turner, Welder, Carpenter, Auto Mechanic, Machinist, Lathe Operator, electronics technician, architect.

Master keying is a part of the trade that is unique to locksmiths. Many modern day proximity card system manufacturers take their ideas from the advances made by the locksmith industry. If it were not for locksmiths, many of todays quality physical and electronic security products may not have been created. It is because of locksmiths that many of todays security products are scrutinized to determine their viability for market.

Consulting your local locksmith should be considered a priority in any decisions about door locks, hardware, security systems, keys, access control and protection for your home, office, colleagues and family.