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Paxton: Paxton10

by Benchmark

When Paxton first announced the launch of Net10, several years ago, the solution offered integrators and installers a seamless way to create smarter solutions based on a familiar platform. Since then, the product offering has evolved and through a process of evolution and feedback from integration partners, the new Paxton10 solution has been designed to deliver an integrated and flexible system which is cost-effective and easy to install. Benchmark took a closer look to see what it offers.

The integration of access control and video surveillance makes a lot of sense in a wide range of applications. The data captured by both solutions can be mined for a depth of useful information, ensuring the protection of people and property is enhanced whilst also delivering valuable insights which add value to a range of processes such as building management, process control, business intelligence, etc..

Access control not only manages who can and cannot enter or exit specified areas of the site, along with defining privileges to control flow, but it also creates a real-time database of who is on-site and where they are at any given time. It also records all access and egress transactions, as well as enabling the capture of additional information such as whether or not they are using tagged assets. This data identifies the individual and their location. When combined with information about their defined access rights, the data can be used to create triggers based upon a variety of criteria.

Equally, video-based data capture offers a wide range of benefits, especially with the increased use of analytics and data mining. The technology not only provides a visual record of actions and events, but it also allows those events to be classified dependent upon a number of criteria.

Footage of exceptional events can be automatically flagged, with alarms being generated to alert operators or send notifications to specific individuals. The recorded information also allows investigations to be carried out, post-event, if required.

Video data can also provide verification of events, providing comparisons by allowing an operator to compare live images with recorded pictures. For example, personnel using credentials in high risk areas could be verified by delivering a snapshot of them entering a site alongside a stored data record to ensure the individual carrying out the transaction was the bona fide card holder.

As the use of video as an enabling technology becomes more prevalent, so the opportunities for those delivering smarter solutions increase. While many in the security sector view video as a tool for surveillance, the reality is the potential offered by video as an added value option is significant and growing as other technologies increasingly embrace video data.

Putting together video and access control results in a complementary solution which allows each technology to work ever closer with the other, providing credible and resilient solutions which add benefits, both in terms of security and day-to-day management.

This allows a powerful combination of real-time occupancy, site status data, video verification and visual identification of exceptional events, which in turn unleashes higher levels of protection together with added benefits for business efficiency and site management.

If you then consider the addition of alarm data from intruder, fire and environmental monitoring systems, combined with basic device and appliance automation, you have the basis of a flexible smart solution which adds value for end users, while also delivering a simple-to-integrate option for integrators and installers.

Paxton is releasing Paxton10, a purpose-built integrated smart solution designed to provide an advanced option to integrators and installers. The delivered solution provides high quality protection to businesses and organisations, whilst also providing added value to ensure the system delivers a genuine and tangible return on investment.

Specification

At the heart of any Paxton10 system is the Paxton10 server, which serves as the hub for the entire system. The server manages the data and the graphical user interface, and as such it remains the point of control for the user and the configuration device for integrators and installers.

To ensure Paxton10 systems are simple to install and set-up, the server does not require any configuration and does not need specialised or dedicated devices. There is no need to install any software nor implement (or pay for) licenses. The server sits on the network and communicates with the various controllers and system elements. It offers cross-platform compatibility, allowing customers to manage their system through a PC, Mac or Linux platform, and connectivity with the Paxton10 server is via a standard web browser (Google Chrome and Safari browsers are supported).

To ensure system continuity, the Paxton10 server allows the full system configurations to be backed up and restored if a system error of hardware failure occurs. The server also has a 32GB USB back-up.
There are two types of controllers for Paxton10 systems: door controllers and video controllers. The server allows up to 1,000 of each type to be supported.

Paxton’s well established Net2 access control system is based on the use of modular single door controllers, and this approach has been echoed in the design of the Paxton10 door controllers. While the two controllers are not interchangeable, they do use the same form factor, making upgrades simpler by minimising the need to change enclosures.

Each door controller manages a single door, and can also be enhanced by the addition of Paxton10 connectors which enable additional functionality, such as handling alarms or trigger inputs.

The door controllers are available in three versions: two include enclosures and power sources (12V DC or PoE), while the third is a PCB only variant. The PCB has the same mounting holes as a Net2 PCB, allowing upgrades to be simplified. The enclosure versions can support a back-up battery.

The controllers include an additional input/output, and feature distributed intelligence, ensuring continuity of performance even if there is a network outage.

In terms of readers, the Paxton10 door controllers can be used with three Paxton10 readers: a keypad-based reader, a slimline reader and a vandal resistant reader. All the readers are rated to IP67, with the vandal resistant and slimline units rated to IK10 and the keypad reader to IK09.

All of the units support Paxton, MIFARE, HID Prox, EM, FeliCa, NFC and DESFire credentials, and make use of an encrypted RS485 connection with the controller. The readers also support Bluetooth connectivity to enable the use of smart devices as credentials. The Bluetooth range can be adjusted, allowing typical token-type usage, touch to enter and long range reading.

Where wireless door lock are required, the PaxLock Pro is also available in a Paxton10 compatible format. It is used in the same way as the Net2 version, using a Paxton10 wireless connector. The Paxton10 PaxLock Pro also supports Bluetooth for smart device use, with two ranges: token and touch to enter. It is compatible with Paxton, MIFARE, EM and HID Prox credentials.

With regard to visitor management, Paxton10 is fully compatible with Paxton’s Entry range of door entry products. This includes the Entry Premium, Entry Standard and Entry Audio monitors, plus the Entry Touch, Entry Vandal Resistant and Entry Standard panels.

There is also a Paxton10 desktop reader which is used to manage credentials, issuing tags and cards to personnel or visitors. The reader simply connects via a USB port, and does not require any software installation or licensing.

Finally, for sites which are transitioning from Net2 to Paxton10, there is a Paxton10 reader convertor unit. This allows other Paxton readers to be used as part of a Paxton10 system. It features automatic hardware detection, and each convertor supports up to two readers. These can either be Paxton readers or approved third party devices.

A range of credentials – keyfobs, cards and Bluetooth-enabled hands-free keyfobs – are also available.

The Paxton10 Video Controller is used where legacy cameras need to be added to the system. Each video controller can support a single door for access control along with three connectors: it provides all the functionality of a door controller unit, but also includes management and storage for up to four third party cameras. Video streams can be added either as ONVIF Profile S streams if the third party device supports that protocol, or as RSTP streams.

Hard drives are added to the controller to facilitate archiving; up to two drives can be added to allow RAID 1 configuration. The video controller units can either be 12V DC or PoE enabled and can support a back-up battery.

An alternative to the Video Controller is Paxton10 cameras. Available in either bullet or static dome formats, the cameras are embedded with Paxton10 VMS software, meaning all video management takes place in the cameras. The software allows viewing of live and recorded streams, smart search and timeline-based scrubbing, motion detection, bookmarking, video wall support and use of site maps for navigation.

The cameras all feature 4K UHD resolution, 128GB edge storage as standard, and low light performance with a quoted level of 0.01 lux. The cameras are available in varifocal and fixed 2.8mm lenses.

Taking control

Paxton10 makes use of intuitive controls, using intelligent software and two smart apps: Paxton Connect and Paxton Key. Paxton Connect offers mobile-based site management and includes the same features as the core software (on smartphones some elements are not included, such as site maps, due to unsuitability for small screens). It enables system configuration and management, real-time reports and control of devices.

Paxton Key allows users to replace traditional credentials with a smartphone, smartwatch or tablet device. Devices using the app can be used for access control, making use of the Bluetooth connectivity integral to all Paxton10 readers. When linked with appropriate devices, Paxton Key can also carry out some site management tasks, such as setting and unsetting alarms.

However, the core management tool is the central Paxton10 software. This runs on the Paxton10 server and can be accessed from any device running an appropriate browser. The use of a browser-based interface means there is no need for any software installation of plug-ins to be used, and there are no license fees or activation costs, ensuring the system remains cost-effective. Designed to offer an intuitive user experience, the GUI makes use of customisable dashboards.

These can be created via drag-and-drop interfaces and enable a mix of video feeds, access control data, site maps, real-time reports and additional widgets.

Paxton10 makes use of widgets to provide additional functionality, allowing a high degree of customisation for the end user. Widgets can provide site status information, pop-up images of card holders to allow visual verification by an operator, switch and control peripheral devices, etc.. Individual users can save their dashboards as a favourite, and it will become the initial screen displayed whenever they log in.

Paxton has always aimed to create simple-to-install and easy-to-use systems, and Paxton10 typifies this. For example, many of the actions such as creating rules or setting permissions can be achieved in seconds, by dragging and dropping users, devices or groups into other folders. This ensures configurations are simple and eliminate the need for advanced training or repeated technical support.

The software also allows actions to be created to deliver building automation. Currently it can be integrated with intruder detection and fire alarm systems, as well as offering power management benefits such as switching off lights, heating and other appliances when a department is vacant and the intruder alarm is set.

Paxton is also looking to expand the building automation options, and in the near future Paxton10 will also support Active Directory, BACnet and Z-Wave devices.

Benchmark Verdict

Paxton10 offers a simple path for integrators and installers looking to offer their customers a seamlessly integrated access control and video solution. That it also enables interoperability with intruder and fire alarm systems as well as building management tools is an added bonus.

The installation and configuration processes have been made as simple as possible, but this does not reduce the level of flexibility on offer. Indeed, it could be argued that the simplicity only serves to make the flexibility more accessible.

Paxton10 can deliver a high level of integration today, but the potential for the future is huge. It allows users to enjoy a return on investment, which makes the solution cost-effective, and the cost of the hardware isn’t significantly different from the company’s dedicated access control solutions, which is good news for integrators.

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