A new access control software suite launched by the global integrated security leader TDSi aims to simplify and streamline event incident investigation.
EXgarde 4.1, the latest, fully integrated version of TDSi’s access control software, connects CCTV solutions, video management software, and intruder alarms to one central database, making company security systems easier to navigate and manage. EXgarde, which works with the leading brands VUgarde, Milestone, Texecom and Microsoft’s Active Directory, is being described as an intuitive yet powerful security management solution suitable for a wide range of organisations.
Integrated video management
Working with VUgarde 2’s CCTV management suite, EXgarde is designed with flexibility and user friendliness in mind, containing several built-in interactive wizards to reduce installation and commissioning times.
Available in Express and Pro formats to suit different requirements, it supports multiple camera feeds and formats, such as MJPEG, MPEG4, and H.264, as well as HD and megapixel video streams from IP cameras, encoders, and video capture boards. It gives operators easy access to live camera feeds and can alert them to an event with pop-up video. It also lets you set up predefined responses to incidents and tag events for reviewing later.
Meanwhile, its simplified user management system can limit access to authorised personnel. Its functionality allows for further possibilities relating to fully integrating access control with IP CCTV and other security systems.
Milestone integration
EXgarde’s integrated video management features are well suited to organisations already using Milestone’s Enterprise and Corporate video management software. Users can investigate access control problems visually via live video from any camera within the EXgarde Explorer Window. This is enhanced with Video Verification, which displays a pop-up live video from a chosen camera in response to an event, such as access being denied on a reader. Operators can then unlock the door from the pop-up window if they are certain access should be granted.
Integration with Milestone’s systems is also ideal for event tagging and compliance purposes. Incidents can be investigated both live as they occur and during playback, and tagging allows for quick and easy reviewing of recorded footage by date and time without the need to flick between different software interfaces. When the tagged events occur in the event list, the recorded video can simply be played back corresponding to the event timestamp.
Compatibility is EXgarde 4.1’s strength. The system works with most leading computer operating systems, including 32-bit/64-bit Microsoft Windows 7, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003/2008. It supports numerous communication methods, including TCP/IP, dial-up, and GSM modems.
Texecom integration
Another key integrated EXgarde feature is the ability to work with Texecom’s alarm systems. Working with Premier and Premier Elite intruder alarms allows synchronised access and alarm controls for large organisations, such as schools, banks, and hospitals.
Pre-set access control responses can be enabled, such as sealing doors in certain areas. Texecom zone events can be split out so triggers can be added, and all zone types have their own events. This integration also offers an ideal solution to 2012’s PD6662 compliance regulations on visual verification of intruder alarms. All intruder events are stored in EXgarde 4.1’s event log, and triggers can be set up for intruder alarms to pull or trigger CCTV capture on that event type occurring.
EXgarde 4.1 also stores all intruder events, adding flexibility to the intruder system, which then has more limited storage capacity to store events in the intruder controller. The Harmony Alliance Partnership between TDSi and Texecom aims to further integrate their products in the future for the benefit of installers and end users.
Microsoft Active Directory
EXgarde 4.1’s Integration with Microsoft Active Directory enhances security and reduces the time involved in managing the physical and logical access worlds by improving the interaction between them. A seamless link between EXgarde 4.1 and Active Directory ensures that the access control system can be automatically updated when changes are made within Microsoft Active Directory, and that records remain fully synchronised.
Working in conjunction with Microsoft’s Active Directory gives security systems much more flexibility and those working with them access to the most up-to-date staff files. For example, restrictions on the use of an IT system can be further secured by restricting login if users aren’t physically in the building. This has the added benefit of preventing tailgating, which boosts security and ensures there is a true record of staff in the building and their movements.
The Active Directory module of EXgarde 4.1 runs as a service on the system. Combined with a configuration tool, it then allows the security team to select which domain and tree within Active Directory will be used. The result is that those people who work remotely via secure links are not affected by the physical access system, providing a highly tailored as well as simplified tool.
Find out more about EXGarde at TDSi’s website.
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