Middleware Associates, LLC

IP Security Supply Promotes HID Edge Solo ES400

middleware — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:23:23 +0000

IP Security Supply, our exclusive ecommerce distributor is presently offering a promotion on the popular HID Edge Solo controller with the intent to also promote our Edge Solo Hosting Services that allow a corporation to consolidate transactions and receive quick reporting from multiple Edge Solo units.

This service can be a huge benefit for companies that use Edge Solo for remote sales offices and other locations because it allows local offices to use the unit just as it was designed [as a single door web based controller] and the corporate office can have access to all transactions, filter reports, etc.

For more information on Edge Solo or Edge Solo Hosting Services please feel free to contact us.

Purchase HID Readers Online

middleware — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 02:18:58 +0000

Middleware Associates’ exclusive edistributor offers the complete line of HID cards, readers and Edge Controllers online at best pricing available.

If you know your exact HID part number and quantity needed, please send us a QUOTE REQUEST.

Otherwise feel browse our online store at IP SECURITY SUPPLY.

IP Security Supply offers Best Prices on HID Readers

middleware — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:39 +0000

PURCHASE HID PRODUCTS ONLINE FROM IP SECURITY SUPPLY

Middleware Associates, based in Delray Beach, Florida, has been a software development partner of HID (aka networked access partner) since 2004. The aim of Middleware Associates has always been to add value to the HID product line, mainly by developing software utilities and applications for the HID Edge and VertX IP controllers.

HID Edge controllers are easy to install and offer Power over Ethernet, which has allowed more and more locksmiths and regional security installers to enter the access control industry. With PoE there are less wires to run; the HID Edge controllers can power the controller, the proximity reader and even the door strike. This equates to a huge savings in installation time. All of this is good news for the end user who in turn receives a better product, better service, all for less of an investment.

Since more and more small businesses are entering the access control market, Middleware Associates offers its software and the complete HID product line via IP Security Supply, a well established eCommerce business that services small businesses across the nation. IP Security Supply has built its reputation on high quality service and the best pricing available on HID readers, as well as IP cameras, PoE network switches, injectors and other products for the IP Security Industry.

Please feel free to visit IP Security Supply for all of your security needs.

Securing the Data Center

middleware — Mon, 31 May 2010 19:05:27 +0000

While power and cooling are the two major expenditures of all large scale data centers, improved security and auditing can be achieved at a fraction of the overall upgrade cost.

While the traditional data center security attributes are important (such as a backup power, man trap, thick concrete walls, no windows, inconspicuous outer appearance, etc.), they do not protect the servers individually. Once granted access into the data center, a technician can very easily go to the wrong cabinet thinking that it is his, and start disconnecting cables or provisioning the wrong server.

Large enterprises are now looking for ways to protect the servers at the cabinet or even server level via an access control system that is compatible with their existing enterprise smart cards or proximity cards, and separate from their corporate access control system; one which is administered by the Data Center Manager. Data center security catastrophes are often the result of simple mistakes. Having access control at the cabinet level can make all the difference.

This type of access control system should log all events including door closure time. By having the grant access time and door closure time, the administrator can see exactly how long each cabinet was open within any given time frame. In addition to security, some corporations would like this information to better understand their IT costs or have more clear information for audits and maintenance schedules. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding data center security.

Patrick Conners

ASSA ABLOY HiO Technology

middleware — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:13:49 +0000

Back in 2005, a colleague and I had the opportunity to visit the ASSA ABLOY engineering facility in Gothenburg, a city on the South West coast of Sweden. Despite the rainy weather, it was a great trip, and the train ride from Stockholm to Gothenburg gave us a glimpse of the beautiful farms and rolling hills of Southern Sweden.
We met with the engineering team that was responsible for stress testing the new HiO™ (Highly Intelligent Opening) technology that is now available on most ASSA ABLOY door locking hardware as well as the latest HID iCLASS readers. The engineers were extremely hospitable and most accommodating to show us the benefits of HiO™ which include easy plug and play installation of door components and the ability to monitor all device activity and functionality.
HiO™ is a communications protocol that runs on the CAN (Control Area Network) bus that was designed and developed by Bosch GmbH in 1983. The first industry to really benefit from the technology was the automotive industry. CAN is widely used to monitor components of the modern automobile which include engine, transmission, airbags, anti-locking brakes, cruise control, audio system, door locks, windows, mirror adjustments, seat adjustments and more. A typical automobile has over 75 actuators and sensors. The CAN bus allows mechanics to communicate and find faults with these devices without having to disassemble the car to find the problem. CAN is also used in general automation environments as a field bus.
So why has ASSA ABLOY been investing in CAN/HiO for the security industry? Well, there are a few reasons to consider. First, a simplified installation of components around the door which may include automatic door actuators, door strikes / magnetic locks, request to exit devices, access control readers, cameras, intercoms, panic buttons, and intrusion keypads. Traditionally these devices run back to one or more centralized control panels. With HiO™, provided that all of your components are HiO™ compliant, you now have a de-centralized environment where each device just plugs into the CAN bus. This first reason may be compelling for environments that have many automatic doors with several integrated components such as hospitals where security and functionality uptime are vital. However, here is the challenge to this concept. Each device must by HiO compliant, having its own CAN chip which includes a very small embedded processor, controller and transceiver. I know what you’re thinking! Don’t panic yet, these chips are very inexpensive, thanks to the automotive industry. The second challenge is voltage differences: a device may be HiO compliant but may not run on the HiO™ 24VDC standard, so in these cases, a separate voltage converter module must be used. So now you have more devices (or modules) to plug and play with. The final challenge is the plethora of security components available on the market today. Most security installers and locksmiths tend to gravitate toward components that they find easy to install, cost effective and reliable. It’s a risky assumption to believe they will change their habits unless the new HiO devices are easier to install, more cost effective, and more reliable.
To conclude, HiO™ technology has its benefits when customers require high quality security installations where there are many moving mechanical parts (kind of like an automobile). It may also be beneficial when de-centralization of components around the secure door is a requirement. Ultimately, for HiO to become widely accepted as a new security standard, it will have to lower installation costs while offering installers a range of products to choose from, which will require other manufacturers to adopt HiO™.

Middleware Associates Releases Edge Responder® version 2.5

middleware — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:47:09 +0000

Version 2.5 runs on the Microsoft® .NET 3.5 framework and the open source Firebird database. New features include:

Upload Access ChangesFollowing a system installation the most common administrative activity is to add, delete or change access to a credential. Now adding or deleting access privileges can be uploaded to all corresponding controllers by simply right clicking the mouse on the respective card and hitting upload. This feature allows credential changes to be made very quickly without having to upload all files and reboot the controllers. For this to work efficiently all access groups must be predefined and pre-uploaded to the controllers.
Improved Import UtilityImports personnel and credential information into Edge Responder® which saves a tremendous amount of time eliminating manual data entry. The import utility can import person, credential and access control information.
Logger ServiceAll history events from the controllers are stored in the database in real time where the transactions can easily be viewed through filters, and then exported for reports. The Logger Service always runs in the background even when the application is not up.
Grant Access or Unlock Door via the Software InterfaceThe operator can now grant access or unlock a door simply by right clicking on the controller and select grant access or unlock door.
Location IDCompanies with multiple locations can now identify a location. Each transaction is associated with its location for reporting purposes.
Quick SearchAllows users to quickly find a badge and/or associated a person.
Unassigned BadgesAllow users to quickly find badges that are unassigned.
PhotosCan be uploaded to the person form and easily removed.

Edge Solo Import Utility Update

middleware — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:15:06 +0000

This is an update for the many customers out there using our Solo import utility. When importing in cards, you must choose a predefined card format, otherwise you will receive validation errors on import. The raw hexadecimal card format does not import.

Have you ever wondered how a proximity card works?

middleware — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:43:06 +0000

Sometimes friends ask me “How does a security proximity card work? Is there a battery in there?” How a proximity or contactless smart card functions is fairly easy to understand. A proximity card does not require a battery because it receives its energy from an electricity field radiating 180 degrees around the face of a reader. Depending on the type of reader, the energy is radiating in one of the following frequency bands, 125 Kilo Hertz or 13.56 Mega Hertz. “Hertz” represents the number of cycles per second (commonly known as electromagnetic frequency), and is attributed to the German physicist Heinrich Hertz, who made important scientific contributions to electromagnetism. Once the antenna in the card receives the energy, it sends it to the tiny micro circuit chip inside the card. This chip acts as a capacitor, absorbing enough energy to send its internal binary number back to the reader. The reader simply receives the binary number and sends it on to the controller where the decision of granting access is made. If a proximity card no longer works on a reader, but other cards do work on the same reader, then you know that you card is broken. Cards now days are very durable however they can still break after constant bending and torquing or if left on a hot dashboard in Florida or Texas. The most common break point is the antenna. Once the antenna is broken it can no longer send the energy on to the micro circuit nor can it send any information back to the reader.

In the photo you see two antennas and two chips. The inner (thicker) antenna is the 125 KHz antenna, and the outer (thinner) antenna is the 13.56 MHz antenna. You can see how close the outer antenna is to the edge of the card. This is why when a card is stressed on the edge it can break the outer antenna. Your card may also have vertical or horizontal slot punch so that it can be affixed to a belt clip or pocket clip. 125KHz cards can have either a horizontal or vertical slot punch but 13.56 MHz cards typically just come with a vertical slot punch. When you look at the card the vertical slot punch would go where the thumb is, which is the only safe place to punch the card.