Trying to secure this door - it’s glass and it has no hardware, and the frame has this like liner that bulges out that would get in the way of mounting a maglock. Anyone have any ideas?

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Hi everyone!

I currently do some electrical work, and next year I'd like to start focusing specifically on electronic security. This year, I've been learning about networking (I work in IT but not direct network work) and also started an annual locksmithing course. However, I'm starting to feel that the course isn't particularly relevant to what I want to do, since it focuses heavily on running a traditional locksmith shop.

I'd like to know how much mechanical locksmithing knowledge you consider necessary to work properly with access control systems and smart locks.

So far, we've covered:

* How basic warded and double-bit lever locks work (these are among the most common types of locks in my country), as well as Yale-style pin tumbler locks.

* Making keys from scratch and duplicating keys, both by hand and with a key-cutting machine.

* Changing the combination of a lock.

* Lock picking.

* Emergency entry techniques using hooks, a plastic sheet (similar to a credit card), and drilling.

* We're currently covering padlocks, and before the end of the year, we're supposed to have one or two classes on installing locks in doors, specifically wooden doors. This is actually one of the topics I'm most interested in.

**How useful do you think these skills are for installing and maintaining access control systems and smart locks?**

The course consists of three hours of in-person classes per week, with both theory and hands-on practice. It ends in December, including three classes dedicated to exams.

If I pass, I can continue next year with more advanced topics, such as multipoint locks, Euro-profile cylinders, emergency exits, safes, armored doors, and other traditional locksmithing subjects.

Would you recommend continuing with the second year, or would my time be better spent focusing on electrical work, networking, and dedicated electronic security training?

I'm particularly interested in understanding door and lock mechanisms, diagnosing mechanical problems, and properly installing electronic locks and access control hardware, rather than becoming a traditional locksmith.

I'd appreciate hearing from people who actually work in access control or electronic security. What mechanical locksmithing skills do you find yourself using most often in your day-to-day work?

I'm running Lenel OnGuard 8.2 and looking for a way to bulk populate a custom cardholder field without manually editing hundreds of individual records.

We're implementing an employee vehicle placard program, and I've created a custom "Vehicle Placard #" field in OnGuard. I need to assign each employee a unique sequential number (001, 002, 003, etc.) based on an alphabetical employee list.

I can export cardholder records, so generating the assignments in Excel is straightforward. The challenge is getting those values back into the corresponding cardholder records.

Is there a supported way to bulk update custom cardholder fields in OnGuard 8.2? Ideally, I'd like to import the assignments from a CSV or Excel file using an existing cardholder identifier, rather than manually updating every record.

I'm comfortable working within OnGuard but haven't done much with its integration tools. Curious how others have handled similar bulk updates or whether this is something that typically requires an integrator or manual input. For reference I need to update about 2,000 records. Thanks!

Does anyone have any suggestion for how to better mount and install these anchors for pedestals and bollards in asphalt? We used this kit https://a.co/d/035EbyjK but it’s just doesn’t seem to be holding as strongly as we’d like.

We’re hoping to avoid pouring individual little concrete pads for each bollard and the pedestal, but asphalt is just not ideal for when a car gives these a little love tap.

As you can see, our pedestal was hit already, and we had to move it over. So now we also have a slightly exposed wire here as well. Need to do this better, help!

Does anyone have any suggestion for how to better mount and install these anchors for pedestals and bollards in asphalt? We used this kit https://a.co/d/035EbyjK but it’s just doesn’t seem to be holding as strongly as we’d like.

We’re hoping to avoid pouring individual little concrete pads for each bollard and the pedestal, but asphalt is just not ideal for when a car gives these a little love tap.

As you can see, our pedestal was hit already, and we had to move it over. So now we also have a slightly exposed wire here as well. Need to do this better, help!

Does anyone have any good recommendations for basic, online training around low voltage as it applies to access control? I.e relays, inputs / outputs, etc. I’m not a field installer, just looking to pick up some basic knowledge.

This is a Hartmann access control system inside of a altronix trove 2. The only thing I noticed is that it’s a little hard to get all of the connections nice and straight. I will probably add some Velcro to bundle the cables a bit at the connection points.

While highly regulated, what options of working part-time are there for a security tech?

I am in the process of migrating from NetAxs panels to new MPA4’s on a 34-plus-door system and having issues that I can’t get Honeywell Support to figure out. On several MPA4s, the door controllers aren't receiving permission group updates. I am getting “card not found” even though the users are in the group. I am also having issues with my MPA2’s that are doing elevator control that have been in place for 4 years with the same issue. The problem is obvious: all updates are stuck in “pending” for the cards that aren't working. I have had to explain the problem to too many people in tech support, which is aggravating.

The access controls boards are in separate closets, this is just where the magic happens.

Hey folks, im Electrician by trade but we also work with low voltage systems (fire alarms, SOS, smoke ventilation, etc..). We are about to mount sliding gate in front of workshop and i would like to add automatic opening based on license plate. Right now there are some IP cameras around the workshop, i think they are all HikVision on basic DVR from same brand. I have never worked with ANPR, so i would appreciate a small help, i need something very simple and cheap. Simple as in add license plates and forget about it. Also im not sure if camera itself is gonna have NO/NC relay that gets triggered when plate is recognized, or i need some special controller or even complete gate motor...

Been quite a few years ago, but I found these before/after pics. Mercury > Brivo all day though. I just installed what was sold.

Curious how yall feel about losing scope to other divisions I guess. So earlier this year I did the presales engineering for a projects budget bid. It's just now gone to full RFP and the scope has changed drastically for Access Control. In budgetary specs Div 28 was providing the readers and the contacts as far as door components were concerned. All electric locking hardware was either locksets or CB's provided by Div 8.

In the new RFP specs Div 8 is now providing all contacts and all readers have become part of their scope using Sargent SN210 series hardware. While this makes it a little easier as basically all my responsibility at the door stops at the hinge on the frame, it still kind of pisses me off. It's just more scope leaving our part of the packet. Div 27 came in and took all the network cable runs for security devices, then Div 28 started taking over lock hardware, REX, contacts, transfer hinges/loops and now readers.

Besides the loss of revenue it makes for a weird warranty service situations with the customer. As this customers integrator that also does their monitoring and service, if they call in a year with a door not working and our tech finds the reader dead "sorry you actually got to pay for this part and the labor goes against your service agreement because we didn't provide or install this".

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I'm looking for recommendations for a reliable physical security integrator that can support locations in both TX and WI.

We have needs involving access control repairs and badge system support, but we're also interested in establishing a longer-term relationship with a provider that can scale with our organization.

Our priorities include:

- Strong service coverage in both markets

- Experience with enterprise access control and badge systems

- Responsive support and timely repairs

- Clear communication, accountability, and follow-through

- Ability to support ongoing maintenance and future projects

I'd especially appreciate feedback from professionals who have worked directly with a provider.

Who have you had good experiences with, and are there any integrators you'd recommend (or avoid)?

Hi everyone,

We are using Elatec TWN4 MultiTech 2 USB readers connected to MFDs for PaperCut authentication, configured to read Mifare Classic, DESFire, and HID Mobile Access credentials.

On our previous batch of readers, everything worked fine using this process in TWN4DevPack 5.20:

1. Programmed base firmware: TWN4_xKx520_STHX207_Multi_Keyboard_Standard_HID_Mobile_Access_Support_Config_Upgrade_Cards
2. Configured template as Keyboard with Mifare Classic, DESFire, and HID Mobile Access enabled.
3. Applied the HID Mobile Access config card (required holding the config card against the reader while plugging it into USB to take effect).

We just received a new batch of readers with an updated firmware release and TWN4DevPack 5.25:

• Old working version: F/B1.64/NKF5.03/STHX2.07/PIMBAV/BT2.01EL
• New non-working version: F/B1.65/NKF5.07/STHX2.07/PIMBAV/BT2.01EL

The exact same configuration sequence and bootloader card trick no longer work on this B1.65 / NKF5.07 batch. Flashing directly via USB in AppBlaster without the config card trick doesn't pick up the HID Mobile credentials either. Also TWN4DevPack 5.20 does not work as well.

Has anyone run into this issue on the newer B1.65 / NKF5.07 firmware build? Is there an updated DevPack / image template or a specific setting needed to get HID Mobile Access working with PaperCut on these newer readers?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Hello everyone, I'm hoping to find some guidance . I do not deal with the installation or migration of card readers myself, my understanding about access readers and controllers is very limited.

The current Access control systems are managed by another 3rd party and I have user level access to these systems

Our organization has ICT card readers majority on Verex controllers and the rest on ICT controllers.
We have started the migration of card readers to Axis. The ICT readers does support Wiegand and OSDP natively. Currently they are configured for Wiegand. The Axis controllers are configured for OSDP.

The vendor helping us with the migration is having issues migrating the readers to Axis. They have done couple doors so far and ended up replacing the existing ICT readers with new ICT readers. They are currently waiting for support from ICT, not sure what they have tried so far.

Did some research online, looks like factory resetting the ICT reader is the way to apply the OSDP config. Vendor says they have already tried it.

Hoping someone here have experience in this kind of migration. Thank you for your help in advance.

We’re a church with two buildings on the same property and are looking to set up an access control system. In the main building, we need to secure 3 single doors and 2 sets of double doors. In the second building (which serves as a fellowship hall/gym), we need 2 single doors. Both buildings share the same internet connection, and LAN cabling is already run between them. I am not afraid DIY install, but I would possibly like to know a recommendations for companies that you would use. I have seen Amazon sell some access control software, but the Support looked a little lacking. The main company I saw was mengqi-control. I would love to be able to remote control this software and bridge. Both buildings together under one account if possible an app would not be a bad thing too. If I can’t remote control the software it’s not a dealbreaker, but it would be nice.

Greetings, fellow assholes!

I'm currently working with a system that's using the iStar Ultra 2 system. I would like for the LCD display to remain on all the time while I troubleshoot various things, but it only seems to want to turn on when the lid is off the GCM.

I was told there's a rotary wheel setting that leaves it always on, but the manual isn't clear about that.

Do I have an option that isn't lifting the tamp switch on the top of the case? These things are rack mounted, with pull-out drawer ACM units, and it's a real pain to pull out just to turn the display on.

Thanks in advance.