Paxton has added to its Net2 access control range, helping ensure buildings are COVID-secure. The latest version of Net2 – v6.04, has been in rapid development and is now ready for download. It features Net2 Occupancy Management which allows users to limit the number of people in any given area, either barring access or sending an email or text to the building manager when a space nears capacity. It works across multiple areas of a site and can be set to operate a ‘one in, one out’ system to support social distancing measures. In addition to this update, those who want to use thermal scanning can do so with a choice of hardware integrated from Hikvision, Dahua and ZKTeko.
Adam Stroud, Paxton CEO, stated, ‘We understand the important role access control has to play in managing the flow of people around a building in order to support a hygienic environment. In addition, controlling the density of people in any given area is a valuable tool to help businesses of all types to become COVID-secure. Net2 is the best selling access control system in the UK and so we have developed the new Occupancy Management feature to meet this specific need. For new and existing Net2 customers, we hope that this functionality helps the efforts that we are all making to observe social distancing and keep people safe.’
Occupancy Management helps ensure users maintain a safe social distance by setting and controlling the maximum number of people in any given area. Users can view live occupancy levels in a clear, web-based visual report from a smartphone, tablet, PC or wall display. Dynamic control of entry permissions allows users to set alerts and prevent user access when maximum capacity is neared or reached, and a simplified area management feature sets and manages multiple areas simultaneously, with specific occupancy levels per area. The functionality has been designed to support continuous flow of people with ‘one-in, one-out’ access when occupancy numbers are high.
Paxton has tested a range of thermal scan hardware and uses its latest free, 45 minute webinars to explain what is available and how to apply it. Paxton reference solutions from Hikvision’s Face Recognition Terminal (Minmoe), Dahua’s Thermal Temperature Station and ZKTeko’s SpeedFace help ensure health and well-being in high security areas and quickly identify people who could be at risk. However, Net2 will integrate with any thermal cameras which utilise a Wiegand output.
Following the release of the new UK government guidelines in May 2020: ‘Working safely during COVID-19’, Paxton has been running its ‘Definitive guide to COVID-secure buildings’ webinar to help get the UK back to work safely. The live 45 minute webinar takes viewers through the new guidelines as well as providing a free end-user guide to help customers understand the access control solutions available when updating their buildings.
Gareth O’Hara, Chief Sales Officer, added, ‘We’ve had a great response from customers so far, with hundreds joining us in the first couple of weeks. The webinar matches the new guidelines to practical access control solutions that businesses need now. The new Occupancy Management feature in Net2 has been eagerly anticipated and we are looking forward to getting it out there to help with social distancing on sites all across the world. We are continuing to develop Net2 in line with feedback to provide even more flexibility for COVID-secure buildings.’