Access Control Articles | Queen Security Systems

Everything about access control systems: types, prices, devices and installation in Egypt.

Access control systems: choosing the right one for your site

Access control simply means a door only opens for people who are allowed through it, and every entry and exit is logged with a name and a time. What separates it from an ordinary lock is that a person's permission can be revoked in seconds from the device or the software — no lock change, no key copying.

Credentials: which one suits your site?

RFID cards are the cheapest and fastest, but staff can lend them to each other. Fingerprint stops lending but struggles with dirty or rough hands, which is why it should not be the only method in factories and workshops. Face recognition is the fastest and most hygienic option, but strong direct light or sun behind the person weakens the read, so mounting position matters. Phone and Bluetooth credentials work well for small offices and companies with frequent staff turnover.

Standalone or networked?

A standalone unit stores permissions inside itself and is enough for one or two doors. If you have several doors and want one report for the whole building — or want to revoke someone across every door at once — you need a networked system with a controller and management software. The cost gap is large, and the decision comes from the number of doors and staff turnover, not from the price of the reader alone.

The lock: the part that gets ignored and causes most problems

The reader reads, but what actually holds the door is the lock. A magnetic lock at 280 or 600 lbs suits glass and wooden doors; a drop bolt is stronger for metal doors and gates. More important than the type is how it behaves when power fails: fail-safe releases automatically when power is lost — mandatory on emergency exits — while fail-secure stays locked and belongs on stores and safes. Fitting a fail-secure lock on an emergency exit is a serious mistake that can trap people inside during a fire.

What every correct installation includes

• An exit button inside, and an emergency break-glass that cuts power to the lock directly.
• A power supply with a battery, because power cuts are frequent in Egypt and a system without backup means a door that is either stuck open or stuck shut.
• Fire-alarm integration that releases every door on alarm — a basic requirement in larger premises.
• A dedicated cable of the right gauge for the lock; voltage drop on a thin cable makes the lock hold weakly over time.

Access control and time attendance are not the same thing

Most devices do both, but the purpose differs: access control cares about who entered, attendance cares about when and for how long. If payroll is your real goal, ask about report export and payroll integration before you ask about the look of the device.

What this section covers

The articles here explain the types, realistic prices in the Egyptian market, brand differences, step-by-step installation, and the common mistakes that make a system fail a few months after handover. If you are still choosing, start with the types article, then prices, then installation.