New COVID-19 features for EntroWatch access control
James Thorpe
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The latest version of EntroWatch includes several new features to help make buildings COVID-19 secure. EntroWatch is the award-winning access control software for Entro series door controllers and contactless card readers and keypads. The new COVID-19 management features include occupancy management, temperature and mask screening and contact tracing.
Occupancy management can be used to manage social distancing and prevent overcrowding in an EntroWatch controlled building. Occupancy levels can be set for rooms that have doors with access control readers. Examples include offices, meeting rooms, laboratories, tool rooms, canteens and rest areas. EntroWatch displays occupancy levels, supports ‘one in and one out’ access and can be set to alarm if someone tries to exceed the occupancy threshold level.
The temperature and mask screening feature makes use of compatible camera technologies placed strategically within a building. As people pass one of these cameras, they are screened for temperature and whether they are wearing a mask or not. Based on threshold levels and settings, a person is either allowed to enter or exit an EntroWatch access controlled door or not. A snapshot of their temperature is stored in EntroWatch. Contact tracing is an enhanced report within EntroWatch 3.1 based on the access control principle of Who, Where and When. The report can be used to track and trace people within a building.
COVID-19 response
“We have responded rapidly to requests from our clients to extend EntroWatch features for pandemic management,” commented David Ross, Remsdaq’s UK Security Business Development Manager. “These new features are part of the ongoing development of the EntroWatch platform and can help building owners and managers to ensure safe social distancing and protection from the potential risk of a COVID-19 infection.”
The Entro series utilises the native BACnet/IP protocol; the open communications standard for the building automation industry. Using BACnet provides the opportunity to integrate the Entro series into an intelligent building management system, for population and movement data for analytics and rule-based energy usage. The Entro series includes the EntroStar (two-door) and EntroNet (eight-door) access door controllers, EntroPad card readers, keypad and management kit and EntroPass secure credential. For UK government sites, Remsdaq supplies a Certified Secure CPNI version of the Entro system.
