Genetec's Synergis Master Controller (SMC) - an intelligent IP door controller

Addressing longstanding customer demand for non-proprietary access control solutions, the Synergis Master Controller (SMC) from Genetec is a controller that allows users to modernise their security operations, migrate to an IP-based access control solution, while leveraging their networking infrastructure and existing equipment and wiring.

The SMC is a key component of Synergis, Genetec’s IP access control solution, which facilitates real-time monitoring of access events and alarms, as well as cardholder management and reporting. When used within Security Center, Genetec's unified security platform, the SMC becomes a catalyst for organisations to evolve to a unified approach for security management. Genetec customers can seamlessly blend their IP video surveillance, access control, license plate recognition, and intrusion monitoring needs within a single unified platform. 

"For some time, we'd been wanting to move to a unified security solution for access control and video, but could not afford to waste the significant infrastructure investment we had already made in our access control installation,” states Dick Hamann, Vice President Information Technology and Resources/Chief Information  Officer, Seminole State College of Florida. “What we really needed was a solution that could leverage and take control of our existing equipment. When Synergis Master Controller was brought to our attention, we decided to set up a pilot site to test it in one of our buildings. The SMC exceeded our expectations; we were impressed with how easy the migration was and how well it performed. The success of this pilot essentially clears the path for us to fully migrate the rest of our facility, while also enabling us to take advantage of Security Center video to build a unified system."

To help customers speed up deployment time, reduce costs and ensure that their security investment will be protected for years to come, the SMC features native support for non-proprietary access control hardware from Mercury Security and HID Global.  Supported interface modules include the VertX V100, V200 and V300 from HID, and the MR52, MR50, MR16IN and MR16OUT from Mercury. The SMC supports 32 downstream modules, connecting to up to 64 readers, as well as being able to monitor hundreds of zones and alarm points. Both Mercury and HID modules can be supported on the same SMC.

Thanks to advanced security functionalities, SMC users can implement greater levels of security to protect their workforce, visitors, and assets. To ensure the highest level of security, communications between the SMC and Synergis software are authenticated and encrypted. Using the SMC's and Security Center’s threat management capabilities, users can quickly respond to changing security conditions and alter the behaviour of their security system accordingly.  Users now have the power to restrict or override physical entry to a specific area, building, or across an entire organization, or can trigger a full lockdown at a moment's notice.

As a true IP device with two on-board Gigabit Ethernet ports, the SMC allows users to efficiently leverage their corporate or security network and reuse much of their existing access control infrastructure such as readers, credentials, compatible interface modules, and wiring to transition into a fully IP-based access control system.

“Above and beyond offering additional hardware options to our customers and freedom of choice, the SMC will also make it easier and less costly for users wanting to modernize their legacy access control system and move to a unified security platform," says Jimmy Palatsoukas, Senior Manager of Product Marketing at Genetec.

Genetec also offers its customers access to a full line of enclosures and power supplies, as well as several pre-wired enclosures with the SMC, power supply, HID, and Mercury modules. These off-the-shelf and pre-wired kits help reduce wiring and hardware deployment time. To further simplify the installation process, advanced options available with the SMC allow customers to configure their access control software, doors and SMC units prior to actual installation. DHCP support and an advanced controller discovery tool virtually automate the enrolment process. Maintenance activities such as upgrades and troubleshooting are made easy thanks to an intuitive web interface.