ICT Insights Edition 2 - The Power of Open Technology

Welcome to the second edition of ICT Insights, your quarterly go-to guide for the latest trends, tips and technologies in access control and security solutions. In this issue, we're diving into the world of open technology.

What is open technology? It's about empowering users with the flexibility to adapt and extend their systems as they evolve. This adaptability transforms smart systems - like HVAC, heating, elevators, intercom systems, biometric systems, building management etc - into integrated solutions that enhance business operations. With open technology you're unlocking a world of possibilities.

Why does open technology matter?

The simple answer is that users want choice and control. They want a security solution that addresses their current requirements, while offering the flexibility to evolve with them. 

Sarah Thompson , Chief Product Officer ICT, sums this up perfectly:

“A common thread for everyone, is that people want a system that is flexible and can be configured to their specific needs. They want choice on the supporting applications that make up the system (like VMS, or visitor management etc.), and they want something that is approachable, intuitive and easy to use…Integrating with additional services drives wider operational benefits for organizations in terms of time and cost savings, and helps provide more data for further business insights” 

Where is the demand for Open Technology growing?

Multifamily

We’re seeing this in the multifamily industry where open technology is a core part of creating future-proofed high tech apartment solutions that can be scaled and adapted to meet the changing needs of tenants. 

Award-winning ICT dealer Mammoth Security developed an integration which sees Protege GX access control programmed directly through the property management system interface. Tenants have the ability to use a single app to enter and move through the building, access their apartment, control their lighting, HVAC and smart appliances, pay bills, and send maintenance requests. 

According to Eugene Klimaszewski, President of Mammoth Security Inc. , “Property management companies save a lot of time when they have a centralized, all-in-one platform for managing all their software systems,”   

Airports, Education, Data Centers

We sat down with Jacky Chow , Regional Sales Director Asia at ICT, to chat about one of the emerging trends he is seeing in his region: biometrics.   

Biometrics, which includes voiceprints, facial recognition, fingerprint, finger vein, palm and iris scanning, is becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience and ability to handle a large number of users. They reduce the need for physical cards and enhance security through multiple authentication methods. In Asia, these systems are particularly gaining traction in airports, educational institutions, data centers, and commercial buildings.  

In airports, facial recognition simplifies boarding by replacing passport scans; “passengers boarding the aircraft don’t need to scan the passport again, instead, facial recognition is used to activate the turnstile, allowing them to board the aircraft.”   

Education institutions use biometrics to track time and attendance of students and staff, as well as parent/guardian identification. Schools use facial recognition to ensure that the person picking up the child matches who is an authorized person in their system, reducing risks to safety and ensuring peace of mind for parents. 

Having the choice of integrating biometrics into your already established access control and intrusion detection system can ensure a future proof solution for your business, such as with Protege GX and Suprema. Enrollment and biometric data storage are all handled through Protege GX, eliminating the need to onboard users across multiple systems.  

“Protege GX offers greater software functionality and features in access control, so this combined with Suprema’s biometrics delivers a comprehensive solution.”   

Personalizing a solution for you 

Open technology ultimately allows the ability to craft solutions to meet the unique requirements of a business. We’ve all experienced the frustration when systems fail to communicate properly, which is why having a seamless ecosystem which will grow with a business’ needs is essential. 

Such as with our recently upgraded video management system (VMS) integration with Milestone Systems . Operators can bring ICT’s unified access control, security, and building automation solution into Milestone XProtect or oversee and control XProtect video and events in Protege GX, enabling the flexibility to select the interface that aligns with their preference, ensuring ultimate choice and control.  We take pride in being among the select few systems offering Milestone XProtect front-end capability, read about the benefits here.  

Ensure you have the choice and control to evolve your business. Drop us a comment below to share your thoughts on where you think open technology is heading.