Door Access Control Software

[PaulHerschell]

Does anyone have experience of interfacing their Visual FoxPro software with any door access control software. I want my app to allow access to an entry door based on whether the contact's membership is paid up or not. Initially I started looking at a number of the big names in this area like Paxton Access and Bewator but their access control software does not seem to lend itself to being interfaced with 3rd party systems, except for an initial bulk import maybe on first installation. Maybe there are other suppliers who are happy to interface, even if the interface is as simple as me exporting a comma delimited text file of contacts and them importing it in replacing their existing file (Paxton import works great in their NET2 product, they just don't allow a global delete so you can import again for weekly updates etc incase members have lapsed since the last update etc).

As an alternative to this, how easy is it to interface directly to a door lock from VFP bypassing any 3rd party access control software.

I am in the UK so any kit would need to be sourced from a UK manufacturer or distributor. Any help will be really appreciated.

Paul

 

[Mike Lewis]

Paul,

I just did a Google search for:
access control door lock software uk

It came back with several vendors of door access control systems in the UK. I haven't bothered to read any of the details, but it might be worth your checking these vendors' sites (could be you've already done that, of course).

Mike


Mike Lewis
Edinburgh, Scotland

http://www.ml-consult.demon.co.uk

 

[torturedmind]

hello paul,

we use RECO Research product - very easy to install but the software is kinda not user-friendly. but the good thing is, data are stored in an MS Access database which you can later manipulate thru VFP (we use VFP6 in Win98SE). since we are not satisfied with it's software, we decided to write our own and maybe you can do the same. here is the link to their products:

http://www.allproducts.com.tw/manufacture9/reco/supplier.html

kilroy

 

[torturedmind]

Oppps, the link should be:

http://www.allproducts.com.tw/manufacture9/reco/rac900.html

This is the one we use.

kilroy

 

[PaulHerschell]

Mike,

Started off with the internet search several weeks ago. Problem is many of the ones listed are 3rd party installers not manufacturers and have very limited knowledge about the software area if any at all so a lot of time was wasted. Several were however helpful and pointed me in the direction of some of the major players like Bewator, Paxton-Access etc who initially seemed to have interfaces that could be used but when you downloaded their software or had it posted and start to look at it in detail it is too limited. Paxton for example have great looking software and a good import routine, problem is its designed as a one off import rather than something you can import weekly updates to so it rejects anything that is already on the database. Others use open source software that is poorly documented and would involve steep learning curves and a bucketful of technical and support headaches hence my coming here to find someone who has gone this route before. Thanks anyway.

Paul

 

[PaulHerschell]

Kilroy,

Thanks for the link. Access database? Sounds a bit more friendly than some of things I have been looking at even if its not well written. Does the company have its own web site outside of AllProducts.com do you know? I did some searches for their company name and found links to a site

http://www.reco-research.com.tw/

but that site gave a page not found, not too inspiring.

The info on Allproducts.com does not appear to be well laid out. Not being from this kind of background its not clear what units are required to make up a system and it would be nice to speak to the company but it all seems very email based. How did you start working with this company, did you manage to get hold of a software sample, sample testing unit etc or did you order in the hope you could do something with it? Any advice you can offer on what would be needed for a 3 door system for a gym with each door being no more than 100m from the office would be appreciated although I appreciate if that sounds a little vague.

Writing your own software? You mean to control the doors automatically rather than through their Access system? Sounds kind of hairy - how involved is that? I would consider myself well versed in VFP with over 12 years business data programming but I have no experience in hardware programming or any of that low level kind of stuff. Am I best leaving that to the experts afterall I was hoping to sort this 'little' project out within a few days, its only a small bolt on to my main application which a handful of clients may require? Thanks

Paul