A new report from IMS Research on the global market for access controls predicts strong growth for IP-based systems.  The move to fully networked, IP-based systems is expected to have a major impact on the access control industry over the coming years in much the same way as it is already reshaping the video surveillance market.  Networked video surveillance offers many advantages over traditional analogue CCTV, including remote access to the video and the ability to leverage the existing IT infrastructure.  Benefits that are now being recognized by users of access controls.  In addition, IP-based access controls are easier to program, have faster connection speeds, offer real-time access to information and are easier to integrate.  As customers migrate to networked video surveillance systems, the case for IP-based access control becomes even more compelling as the same network infrastructure can be used.

Senior analyst at IMS Research Paul Everett comments, “The majority of access control panels are already IP-enabled and connected via Ethernet back to the central server.  However, IP is generally not used to connect the readers to the controllers, although this is starting to happen.  For example, earlier this year HID introduced its new Edge family of IP-based access control solutions.”  Everett continues, “By moving the decision-making and intelligence to the door, IP-based access control solutions eliminate the need for the access controller to reside in a closet and simplify the connection to the IT infrastructure.”  IMS Research predicts that the global market for access controls will grow at a CAGR of 9.2% to exceed US$2.5 billion by 2011.  As customers migrate to networked video surveillance systems, the case for IP-based access control becomes even more compelling as the same network infrastructure can be used.