Virtual guarding, often known as remote video monitoring, is a cutting-edge method of safeguarding businesses and commercial facilities.  It eliminates the requirement for on-site security camera monitoring personnel.  Remote video surveillance can help keep a business, gated community, or commercial property safe and secure.  It can also eliminate the need for costly on-site physical security guards.  All businesses and huge buildings should consider virtual guard services for savings.  Fortunately, technological advances in the security and surveillance industries have made this more accessible than ever.

What are the benefits of Virtual Guarding for businesses and properties?

Businesses and commercial properties must deal with a variety of security and surveillance issues. Traditionally, expensive analog CCTV security cameras would be used to monitor a property.  The limitations of old analog security cameras were numerous.  They could only provide a reactive security solution.  

In recent years, technological advancements have made high-quality security cameras cheaper.  Modern security cameras come with a plethora of features.  One of the most current capabilities they provide is users can monitor security camera feeds from smartphones, computers, tablets, and other devices.    This cutting-edge technology is used by remote video monitoring services to provide security and surveillance services twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Virtual security businesses provide all of their services from an off-site location and in an emergency, communication with the property and local police enforcement is maintained.

Virtual security businesses provide all of their services from an off-site location and in an emergency, communication with the property and local police enforcement is maintained.

Gate access control is a unique and effective way of securing your property. Your front and rear entrances can be conveniently guarded by a full gate which can be opened with just the push of a button from inside or the swipe of a card or punched-in code from the outside with the right system.

Gate access control systems work similarly to other access control systems in terms of access control; you have an electronically locked door or gate that is connected to the access control server or IP network via a hardwired or wireless connection (usually a cellular signal). An electronic password is transmitted to the door lock when the proper credential – usually a PIN code or keycard – is entered, unlocking it, and allowing authorized personnel to enter. It’s that simple, and it works the same way whether you’re working with a gate system or a locked door.

So, how precisely does the gate opener work? When the correct code or other credential is entered into the gate’s access panel, it connects with the server, verifies the credentials, and sends an electronic signal to the door operator and control panel.

A swinging arm opener pulls or pushes the gate open in the right direction, holds it open for an appropriate amount of time, and then pushes or pulls it shut again; or a sliding gate opener, which uses a motorized gear to move the door open to one side on a track, by connecting with a “gear rack” mounted on the gate that allows it to open.

Most gate opener systems come with the manufacturer’s recommendations on access control panels and keypads. However, if properly installed, most access control systems and gate openers will be capable of communicating with one another (by a professional systems installer or integrator).

If budget and security allow, almost every gate access control system accepts multiple kinds of credentials, such as swipe cards, proximity cards, PIN codes, smart cards, RFID, and even biometrics and scanners. Many modern devices include video and IP intercom connectivity, allowing for more flexible and powerful access control.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) uses radiofrequency waves to identify and track a variety of objects accurately.  A microchip with an antenna, a reader with an antenna, and an access control server are all included in most RFID systems.

The data contained on the tag is cross-referenced with the RFID system’s database. If the information is accurate, access is granted.

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How Does RFID Access Control Work?

AS MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY, an RFID access control system typically consists of a tag, a reader with an antenna, and an access control server.

The card reader constantly radiates a radiofrequency energy field. As a response, when the card enters the area, the Radio Frequency field energizes a copper wire aerial inside the card. The card’s smart card chip is connected to the wire.  The chip’s ID number and any other data collected on the card, such as a unique customer or facility code, are supplied by the aerial inside the card.

RFID Tags

A microprocessor, an antenna, and a substrate are the three significant aspects of RFID tags. The tag’s microprocessor stores and processes data, along with modulates and demodulates radio-frequency signals. The tag’s antenna enables it to receive and transmit information.

The power supply of RFID tags could be used to differentiate them. Passive and active tags are the two major types of tags used in the access control industry.

Difference between Passive and Active Tags

Because a passive RFID tag does not have a battery, the reader’s electromagnetic waves are nabbed by the tag’s built-in antenna.  These tags are less expensive than active tags and thus could be a cost-effective solution for businesses on a tight budget.  They are also smaller because they do not require a battery.  They do, however, have their limitations. Because passive tags don’t have their power source, they need more time to charge before sending information. In contrast to active tags, they also have fewer data storage capacity.

Active RFID tags feature a built-in battery that continually transmits the data stored on them to the reader.  Even though their batteries have a limited lifespan, they frequently endure for years. Tag’s battery-powered reaction makes it perfect for scenarios where RF signals are likely to be tampered with.

SafePassage offers vehicle recognition using automated license plate recognition (ALPR or ANPR). Apartments and HOA’s can use our ALPR on their residential and visitor lanes to replace more expensive outdated technologies like RFID.  Our ALPR will use the license plate number to authorize residents and visitors to access a community quickly.

What is ALPR?

ALPR or LPR (Automated License Plate Recognition) systems take an image of the vehicle’s license plate and convert it to binary digits using optical character recognition.  ALPR uses 360-degree cameras and object recognition technology. Vehicle plate numbers can be transformed from simple images to textual data throughout this process.

There are two types of ALPR: stationary, which uses infrared (IR) cameras at high fixed points, and mobile, which uses vehicle-mounted IR cameras. Stationary cameras can be mounted on signs, streetlights, highway overpasses, or buildings as a cost-effective way to monitor moving and parked vehicles.  Mobile ALPR software use multiple cameras mounted on a car. As the vehicle moves, it photographs license plates and transmits plate data to a database.

Advantages of ALPR technology:

• Works in limited lighting conditions and can record the license plate of a moving car
• Can perform data collection and reduces human error
• Increases safety and efficiency. Property protection and crime deterrent.

ALPR systems are increasingly embraced by law enforcement agencies throughout the country and worldwide to improve their enforcement and investigative capabilities.  ALPR helps them to expand their collection of relevant data.  It also shortens the time it takes when searching for partial or whole license plate information for things like stolen vehicles and other vehicles of interest.

In many cities, parking officers still examine parked vehicles manually instead of utilizing ALPR technology.  This method of parking enforcement is no longer 100 percent efficient. Patrolling the city routes and inspecting for physical parking permits is complicated, costly, and time-consuming.  Today, parking enforcement automobile patrols are the leading users of portable ALPR cameras.

One famous use case for ALPR is tracking vehicles entering and exiting neighborhoods.  SafePassage Solutions has built a high-performance automatic detection and recognition system for license plates in real-time.  Learn more about ALPR for your community by visiting www.safepassagesolutions.com.

When you think of the safety and easy access for your community, what comes to mind?  Physical security guards, vehicle barcodes, telephone entry keypads, key cards, key fobs, and a variety of many other options are used to gain access to installations.  In practicality, homeowners choose gated communities to restrict vehicular access and obtain a sense of security.

Gates and automatic gate operators are typically found together in most communities. It is not reasonable to choose one over the other.  Considering how your gate opens, your community’s concerns about safety, and the sources of power available to power your automatic gates become essential.

Numerous security measures should be included in the gate you choose. Automatic gates are large and unwieldy, and if they hit a person, a pet, or another object, they can cause severe injury. There are features for halting the gate, like leveraging infrared photo beams to help the gate understand an obstruction. As soon as the block is detected, the entrance should stop closing and reopen.

There are two ways to allow access to visitors in a gated community:

• Visitors can acquire access by calling a tenant through an intercom or telephone entry system or SafePassage Virtual Attendant.

• If the gate doesn’t even have an entry system, an attendant analyzes visitors’ credentials and calls tenants to confirm the visitor.

Police officers and firefighters, for instance, usually have unique access credentials to the gated community and do not need to request access. Other access control systems have a unique feature that allows emergency vehicles access through strobe lights or emergency radios. These features override the electronic gates and quickly open the gate, allowing all emergency vehicles access.

  If you’ve watched the traffic in your neighborhood increase and are concerned about your family’s safety or are simply tired of solicitations and want higher property value, you may want to consider turning your neighborhood into a gated community.  Gated communities can offer a sense of privacy, increased security, higher property values and enhanced community with your neighbors. 

Step 1: Determining Security

Security is always a significant concern for gated communities.  A quality perimeter gate and wall can create a secure barrier between residents and the rest of the world.  You will also need to consider a reliable automatic gate opener for vehicles that will be going and coming.  A gate opener can provide basic control over who can access your community.  Another facet to consider when gating a community is the distance from the gate to the street which is called stacking distance.  Stacking distance will determine the number of vehicles that can line up at the gate at any given time.

You can also take your security and access control a notch higher through advanced secrity controls like surveillance cameras, guards, motion sensors, ALPR (automatic license plate recognition) and gate access control software.   ALPR can be used as a gate opener. 

Step 2: Check with Local Authorities

Gated communities often come with numerous rules and regulations that HOA’s will need to adhere to. Make sure that you consult your local authorities.  Check your local ordinances to see if it is possible to convert your existing neighborhood with public streets into a gated community.  Acquire the necessary permits, permissions, and paperwork when setting up your gated community. Depending on the location, visit the local development authority and look into any and all necessary building permits.

Step 3: Hire a Real Estate Lawyer

While you can acquire the paperwork yourself, it’s a good idea to hire the services of a real estate lawyer. A good real estate lawyer will help you get updated with the rules of a gated community and ensure that your paperwork is legal, complete and adequate.

Step 4: Calculate the Cost

Before you move forward, it is wise to estimate the cost that each household will need to pay to accommodate the upgrade to a gated community. Gated communities attract expensive homeowner association fees for things like private security and road maintenance. This may also include annual maintenance fees and upfront costs for the gate.

Step 5: Talk to your Neighbors

Once you have gathered all the requirements and have a better understanding of what it takes.  You can now turn your attention to talking to the neighborhood community to see how they feel about it.  It is essential to consult your neighbors to see if they are open to the idea of a gated community. You can call a neighborhood meeting and explain your concept and what you intend to achieve.  You will likely need to petition your neighbors and have at least 60 percent of them agree.

Conclusion 

When it comes to creating a gated community, you need to pay attention to the needs and requirements of your prospective buyers. Make sure that your gated community portrays all the essential qualities like safety and security. With property crime on the rise it is important that we do not compromise our family’s safety with substandard neighborhood security. While it is inarguable that turning a regular community into gated community can be lengthy and expensive, it is worth noting that living in a gated community can help lessen the possibility of crime.