HID Global Announces the Edge™ Family of IP-Based Access Control Solutions

HID Global, a leading manufacturer in the access control industry, announced from the ISC West Convention in Las Vegas, the introduction of its new Edge family of IP-based access control solutions, providing a comprehensive line of reader and processor configurations that can be tailored to the requirements of any enterprise.  The new IP-enabled Edge products feature the new OPIN technology platform, an open API providing unprecedented flexibility, scalability and cost savings right at the door.  The products currently available are the EdgeReader^™, an integrated contactless smart card reader and access control processor, and the EdgePlus^™, an access control processor that works with any reader.

Moving the decision-making and intelligence to the door, HID's Edge product line eliminates the need for the access controller to reside "in the closet" and allows simplified connection to IT infrastructures.  IP-ready, the new products provide a complete and full-featured access control hardware infrastructure and contactless smart card capabilities.  In addition, Edge solutions incorporate the new OPIN API, permitting current and future host software choices without the need to install new hardware and making the solution adaptable to an organization's changing security needs.  With a worldwide network of experienced development partners, there are many options for integrated security solutions incorporating Edge.

"With the Edge family, physical security hardware can now fully leverage an enterprise's IT infrastructure, allowing companies to reap the many benefits such as simplified installation, scalability, flexibility and cost savings," said Thomas Heiser, vice president of Networked Access Solutions, HID Global. "In addition, the introduction of the OPIN technology platform shifts the paradigm toward a more open system.  OPIN means more choices for upgrades and modifications."

Edge solutions are Power-over-Ethernet ready (PoE), allowing all building facilities to utilize standard Cat 5/6 wiring.  This feature eliminates specialized cabling, cuts installation time and makes it cost-effective and flexible for future upgrades.  Unlike traditional access control hardware, Edge makes the access control decisions right at the door. No longer is there a single point of failure that affects multiple doors.

The Edge family includes the Edge Solo, a stand-alone solution for single-door applications.   With its built-in software, Edge Solo can work without a host application, and is remotely managed through a standard web browser.  Using OPIN technology, the Edge Solo can be remotely upgraded to tap into a host-based application for migration to a larger system.

The Edge Host solution, designed for larger systems with thousands of doors and multiple facilities, ties back to an enterprise's host software.  EdgeReader and EdgePlus are available in both Solo and Host versions, allowing end-users to select the card reader of their choice.