Cardax FT Version 6: one of the most dynamic security platforms on the market today

Cardax FT Command Centre v6, the latest major release from Gallagher Security Management Systems (GSMS), is packed with new hardware and software features making it one of the most compelling security management systems available.

Cardax Product Manager, Daniel McVeagh comments, “At a time, when other security manufacturers are cutting back on R&D, we’re investing in the future with more resources and people to ensure Cardax FT is the security system of the future”.

Cardax FT v6 includes:

• the ability to deliver proactive and pre-emptive workforce management, at the door, with the introduction of a cardholder’s competencies to the access decision
• support for peer-to-peer multiple Cardax FT servers
• new Operating Systems and Database support
• many usability and functionality enhancements.
• the powerful Controller 6000, set to be the new benchmark for Controller technology (Note: the Controller 6000 will be released in Q1, 2010)

The new Cardax FT Controller 6000 enables a revolutionary new concept in access management, which Gallagher has termed “Identity Analytics”. Identity Analytics demonstrates thinking beyond IT convergence, by harnessing the power of real, operational business convergence. This advanced concept in security management, delivers an enriched access control decision by taking the ‘who, where, and when’ of the traditional access control decision and enriching it with ‘what’ competencies (e.g. their status in terms of induction, training, licences etc) a person possesses.

The ability to verify this information and factor it into every access decision can greatly affect a site’s operational continuity and productivity levels.
Text feedback via a door reader or third party display screen details pending competency expiries and the corrective action required to prevent access denial or the action required to reinstate competencies if access has been prevented.

Demonstrating world first innovation, Competency checks, Controller logic and inter-controller monitoring all operate independently of server connectivity, once configured. In addition, the solution is able to scale from SME level – direct management of a few competencies – to Enterprise level - drawing competency based information from multiple integrated systems e.g. HR, ERP, payroll.

Cardax Product Manager, Daniel McVeagh describes the Cardax FT Controller 6000 as, “both breakthrough and inventive; there are no other products on the market which are able to deliver Identity Analytics functionality at the device level, operationally independent of the server”.

The Controller 6000 is one of the most powerful controllers on the market, boasting unparalleled features and options such as:
• 1 Gig Ethernet network support
• Dual Ethernet option for Ethernet link redundancy
• Dedicated encryption chip key storage
• Temperature sensing chip with controlled shutdown preventing temperature based attacks
• USB port for offline Controller code updates
• Industry leading encryption chip levels: 256 bit AES symmetric encryption, 2048 bit RSA key length
• Speed and storage improvements

The Controller 6000 also supports multiple third party systems such as elevators, printers, imaging, directly via Cardax FT Controller APIs.
Cardax FT v6 also supports new Multi-Server functionality which improves the ability of Cardax FT to operate effectively in a distributed environment.  This ‘distributed environment’ may include multiple sites separated by large geographical distances and connected via low bandwidth and/or intermittently available networks.

Each Cardax FT Server enabled with a Multi-Server license can be configured to establish a secure peer-to-peer relationship with any other similarly licensed Cardax FT Server within an organisation.  These connections can be created in a hierarchical structure, where a head office may want operational visibility/control capability over subsidiary sites, in a peer-to-peer matrix structure, or any combination in between.

Cardax FT Multi-Sever delivers full site autonomy of local site operations in the event of WAN failure and cross site operational cover. Shared sever functions include:
• Peer-to-peer server communications, meaning any site can be configured to control and monitor any other site
• Cardholder management
• Aggregation evacuation reporting
• Monitoring alarms & status
• Performing overrides

Cardax FT Multi-Server features new efficient communications protocol to transfer data between sites and reduced data transferred over WAN when operating locally.

Cardax FT v6 also features a range of enhancements to core system functionality delivering improved usability including:
• Microsoft® Windows Server 2008 support
• Microsoft® Windows SQL Server 2008 and Server 2008 Express Support
• 64 Bit Operating System Support
• Purging of inactive cardholders/visitors
• Enterprise data importing interface

New interfaces to third party systems include:
•  DVTel DVR Interface
•  Pelco Endura Interface
•  Quantum Printer and Encoder Interface
•  Nisca Printer and Encoder Interface
•  Schindler Miconics Elevator Interface
•  Kone TCP/IP Polaris Elevator Interface

New third party products supported by Cardax FT v6 are Sagem MA 5XX Plus Fingerprint Readers and Salto Energy Saving Devices (ESDs).

Customers with Software Licence and Maintenance Agreements (SLMAs) will receive this version as part of their SLMA contract enabling them to keep pace with the latest system developments and enhance their system usability and functionality.

”Cardax FT v6 demonstrates Gallagher’s commitment to leading edge R&D and investment in our product, making it one of the most dynamic integration platforms available,” comments Daniel McVeagh.