PlanX Access Control Software.

Features: 

• Integrated photo-ID badging  
• Real-time event and alarm monitoring
• Multi-user networked administration
• Virtual Control Room CCTV integration
• Graphical alarm display
• Third-party Intruder Alarm integration
• Touch-screen control
• Real-time Guard-tour processing
• ‘VisiPLAN’ visitor registration and badging
• Asset tagging and surveillance facility
• Multi-site/Multi-tenant administration
• T&A ‘WinShifts’ processing
• Personnel tracking facility
• HR personnel record/database linking
• Roll Call listing (inc. automatic printing)
• Remote locking control
• Anti-passback (local 'True' and ‘Global’)
• Auditable password protection for software features
• Card issue (activation) and expiry dates
• Holiday profiles (4 per card holder)
• Extensive transaction analysis
• Detailed reports and listing options
• 2 or 4 door distributed intelligence control panels
• Support for multiple reader technologies
• Embedded direct TCP/IP panel communications
• Remote site panel communications via Internet
• Redundant path communications option
• 4,096 door control *
• 16,000 supervised alarm inputs *
• Unique disability Act/VIP features
• PIN and Passback immunity for VIP’s
• Extended lock delay for selected staff
• *Expandable

Photo ID-badging...

The badging facility forms an integral part of the PLAN software, as such, Photo-ID capture and card printing can be performed from the main PLAN640 P.C. without changing applications. When necessary, a dedicated Photo-ID Workstation (which incorporates the image capture hardware and PVC Card Printer) can be used. As with the standard networked administration software, the badging system is linked to the main PLAN640 system (and therefore the common user database) via an Ethernet LAN. The centrally stored staff record data can then be incorporated into the card designs. Multiple Photo-ID workstations can be connected to the same system to allow badging of staff across a wide area.

Because the badging facility is an embedded feature of the PLAN system, creating a Badge and issuing an access control card can be streamlined into one simple procedure – carried out from a single workstation.

Virtual Control Room Using this option a ‘Virtual Control Room’ can be created which has the capacity to integrate Access Control, CCTV, Intercom, Paging & Alarm Monitoring systems into a common user interface. Control of the Graphics workstation (and therefore all connected subsystems) can be Touch Screen or Mouse driven. The Virtual Control Room software can display detailed colour graphics images of the site(s) - with equipment icons to indicate the current status of the actual devices connected to the system.

Customisable 'Equipment Pads' can also be created to allow the operator direct control of field equipment. Activation of on-screen icons will allow the operator to control external devices such as Door Overrides, CCTV Equipment, Intercoms etc. In this manner a 'Virtual' security console can be created on screen, allowing intuitive control over remotely located equipment.

Zoom and Pan icons will allow the operator to navigate between maps of different areas of the site. Map display can be automated e.g. specific alarms will cause specific maps to be displayed, however, it is also possible to select from a drop down menu list or 'hot-link' from an on screen 'button' to any map stored on the system.

Complex commands, involving many separate elements of the security system, can be created and then linked (using Drag and Drop) to on-screen icons. These commands will then be carried out automatically if the alarm is set.

Guard -tour

A standard feature of the Management software, the Guard tour facility allows the creation of unique routes, or ‘tours’. Each tour is defined with as many way-points as necessary. All of the way-points must be visited within the minimum and maximum times specified. A real-time exception will be reported if a guard takes too long to reach a way-point, or visits a point out of sequence. Alarm points and card readers can be set up as waypoints… this means that PIR’s and door contacts which will be activated on the route of the tour can be used, as well as card readers. For additional security, tours can be activated by a tour scheduler which can be set up to randomly select from groups of similar tours at the set times. In the event of an emergency, the roll call facility can generate a list of every card holder still inside the building. Listings can be sorted by Name, Card No., or any other user defined fields. For ease of distribution to a number of muster/assembly locations, the listings can be set to include a page break between each 'group'. A Roll call can be automatically started on an external trigger event (such as a Fire Alarm) and directed to a dedicated printer.

Roll Call  

The Staff database listing option features a range of reporting tools which are designed to aide the administration and management of the system. The PLAN editor allows all database information to be listed in a flexible format, the software also allows the creation of more complex reports, such as a Dormant Card list or a soon to expire report. Quantified Time and Attendance listings can also be generated using the winShifts option. The PLAN system ‘IN-OUT status panel’ allows the operator to select a list of key staff (such as ‘Firstaiders’, ‘Fire Marshals’ or Managers) where it is critical that attendance (or not) can easily be identified. Furthermore, a minimum ‘safe’ level for each type of staff can be set. When the number of staff belonging to the target group reaches the minimum value, a warning message is displayed… For example, on a site where the company safety policy states that there shall never be less than 3 First-aiders available, a warning can be set to alert site management as soon as the number reaches the minimum level.

 IN/ OUT  

The PLAN system ‘IN-OUT status panel’ allows the operator to select a list of key staff (such as ‘Firstaiders’, ‘Fire Marshals’ or Managers) where it is critical that attendance (or not) can easily be identified. Furthermore, a minimum ‘safe’ level for each type of staff can be set. When the number of staff belonging to the target group reaches the minimum value, a warning message is displayed… For example, on a site where the company safety policy states that there shall never be less than 3 First-aiders available, a warning can be set to alert site management as soon as the number reaches the minimum level.

T&A and Reports

The Staff database listing option features a range of reporting tools which are designed to aide the administration and management of the system. The PLAN editor allows all database information to be listed in a flexible format, the software also allows the creation of more complex reports, such as a Dormant Card list or a soon to expire report. Quantified Time and Attendance listings can also be generated using the winshifts option.

Visi PLAN Visitor Registration

To take the pressure of busy reception staff, the VisiPLAN software can be deployed by any PLAN system user as an add-on to their existing system or as a stand-alone visitor anagement solution. The objective is to simplify the registration of visitors to a client site by providing a simple, automated self-registration system.

Visitors will be directed to a plinth, wall or kiosk mounted touch screen workstation where they will carry out a simple registration procedure. A badge can be printed and dispensed by the workstation, or, visitors can report to a reception desk to collect their ID card.

The VisiPLAN touch-screen visitor management software integrates the process of automated visitor badging with the access control system. Visitors who are logged 'in' using a touch screen terminal can appear on roll call listings if an evacuation occurs during the period of their visit.

ID cards can be printed onto self-adhesive labels, PVC cards or special perforated paper cards and can incorporate safety and fire evacuation instructions.

As part of the 'WinPLAN' suite of software applications, at all times, the software integrates seamlessly with the PLAN system cardholder database.  

PLAN 200-400 series field controllers

At the heart of every PLAN system, is a network of xPLAN control units. To maintain the highest level of system fault tolerance, each advanced control panel is a complete, fully functional, 2 or 4 reader integrated access control system in its own right. This means that the system can continue functioning at 100% capability even when disconnected from the Central Control System, e.g. when "off line", the system continues to allow only valid cardholders through their selected doors and at their authorised times. The controller will also store card and alarm events in the cyclical memory until communications are restored, at which time, the xPLAN controller will inform the main PC of all access control decisions made while off-line. xPLAN200 and xPLAN400 controllers can be mixed and matched throughout an installation as required.

Alarm Monitoring

Each xPLAN400 features 16 extended alarm inputs for monitoring third party equipment and standard alarm input devices (such as door contacts and PIR's). These circuits are supervised with an end of line resistor to prevent tampering or bypass attempts.  

Connectivity

The PLAN system offers the installer a high degree of flexibility in wiring. Client WAN/WAN infrastructure can be utilised, as well as direct cabled star and daisy chain topologies. All of these can be mixed in a single installation.

RPC – redundant path communications module In high availability mode, the system features a sophisticated redundant path communications (RPC) option, whereby multiple network cable faults can be tolerated without any loss of xPLAN400 communication. In the event of a cable break or short circuit, the system will automatically negotiate a healthy return path back to the central control system.

Furthermore, using the RPC module, the system will display a message on the event monitor screen which will indicate where the cable fault has occurred. An attending engineer will proceed directly to the panels connected to the faulty cable, where the system will provide additional diagnostic information such as whether the fault is an open or short circuit. Despite the fault(s), the system will maintain full communications function whilst the problem is investigated and repaired.

TCP/ IP controller communications An ultra low bandwidth LAN/WAN ommunication between PLAN400’s can be achieved using the PLAN400DSC modules or the embedded XPE devices (xPLAN Ethernet). For example, the on-board XPE option embedded into the xPLAN200 will allow direct Ethernet panel communications between the host PLAN640 software (via the network interface card in the PC) and the field controllers. Using our encrypted option, this will create a highly secure, discrete connection between control panels where cabling is considered inappropriate or too expensive. The system utilises industry standard TCP/IP protocols and can be used across ‘always on’ low-cost broadband internet connections.

RSMC – remote site modem controller A PSTN solution is appropriate where none of the other communications options are available. An advanced remote site modem controller (RSMC) continuously monitors the state of the xPLAN control panels in the remote buildings - causing a call to be logged to the home site if any exceptions occur or if the event buffer limit is reached.

Asset matching

'Asset Matching' is a technique that allows tagged equipment to be ‘owned’ by selected staff and verified dynamically as both Asset and Owner pass through the detection zone. If a tagged item is detected, without one of its authorised owners, an alarm will be generated that can be used to lock doors, sound an alert, engage CCTV recording or simply (and silently) log the incident for later action.

The PLAN asset protection solution benefits significantly over competitive systems that do not have the advantage of a dedicated ‘embedded’ asset control unit. It is the PLAN400ax that enables nstantaneous local verification of assets with their allocated owners with no PC or central control involvement. Because of the dedicated mode of operation for these panels, up to 48 Tags within the detection area can be processed simultaneously. Effective asset tracking requires a reading technology capable of detecting multiple cards, on the move, at long range. PLAN system users can elect to use long-range readers throughout their organisation, or only at building entry/exit points.

Uniquely, the PLAN-400ax, 4-port, Asset Matching controller provides high speed, dynamic processing, of both Asset and Personnel Tags for system managers who want to give teeth to their passive or back office Asset Tracking Systems (e.g. where the asset/owner match is performed centrally – after the event).

Readers

The PLAN system is compatible with most types of card reader, the end user is free to choose the most appropriate technology for their application. This flexibility is retained even after the system is installed and, should the need arise, card readers can be changed at any time as requirements change. A key benefit for customers, is that, in most cases, the PLAN system can be rolled out across a client’s estate making use of existing cards already in circulation.

Technologies supported range from Mag-stripe, Wiegand Swipe and Proximity through the more sophisticated Biometric and Contactless Smart Card solutions. Our unique Asset Matching solution utilizes the latest in long range RFID tagging.