Access Control Strategy

ICS has recognized an emerging redefinition of the access  control market.  It is dividing into two somewhat separate market segments.  One of these is relatively traditional and involves the distribution and support of the computing devices that will operate doors and the other involves the software that will operate those devices.  ICS’ expertise is in software and has for several years provided an software for this purpose.  Absent a broadly available platform, ICS remained a small part of the deployed systems and tended to focus on the large projects that pushed the envelope of capabilities of its software. 

Now, HID Global, a partner in the Center and Laboratory for Integrated Systems Excellence has produced the VertX family of products and the Edge, Edge Plus and emerging Edge2 single door controllers.  These products accept ICS’ software.  Thus, as hardware distribution is now solved by HID, ICS is able to release its very powerful Open System Controller software and the associated management software needed to construct a fully functional very low cost access control solution.

Emerging access point controller edge devices such as the HID Global VertX can support one or more access points following the prescriptions of emerging standards.   The Access Point Controller (an emerging ANSI standard) edge application operates an IP connected edge device (VertX) capable of supporting the connections to the field devices needed to support the operation of portals, monitor alarm points, and control devices.  The Access Control Role (am emerging standard) defines the authentication of identity and calculation of a privilege of access.  ICS’ OSC software can satisfy these two standards and be the edge application that meets future requirements.  HID products have worldwide distribution and a terrific reputation. 

ICS  will implement a number variations on its software to support a robust product strategy.  While its core interests remain Enterprise class solutions, a low-end web-distributable solution for VertX, Edge, and Edge-Plus products is also in the works.  Given a worldwide distributed edge device, ICS speculates that a highly capable but light weight  access control solution distributed electronically could effectively complement HID’s market presence.  ICS has this product capability.