RFID Implementation - advice

[dgsmith]

We currently issue all staff with plain plastic PVC cards given there is no current requirement for anything beyond that. We'd like to look into trying to implement, albeit gradually, rfid/contactless for the likes of photocopiers, printers and perhaps further down the line, door entry and signin.

 

It seems the most cost effective (i.e. cheaper) way of doing this is going down the standard HID proximity route. Can I ask if the frequency adopted needs careful consideration or even if for an eductional setup, we should be favouring one over the other? It seems the most common are 125Khz and 13~Mhz (low freq and high freq) and we are looking at the LF as we don't need long range and it seems the interference is reduced (unless there is a strong case for HF)?

 

Additionally, for those that have rfid on door entry - how do you go about overcoming any potential security risks with staff losing ID cards or any other "what ifs" that may be thrown by SLT? We currently have a pin-code main door entry and that's it.

 

Lastly, for those with rfid on photocopiers/printers; do you generally go with OEM/brand name readers or 3rd party alternatives that are generally compatible, such as rfideas or HID omnikey (two brands that are popping up when I research this)? We have Konica Bizhub copiers and HP printers, both business ranges and both with the means of supporting rfid/card readers but we are loathed to get the "approved" readers which cost and arm and a leg!

[MatthewL]

Most copiers firms I have dealt with provide RFIdeas readers ans they are the approved one. They are not expensive and the multipurpose one allows you to reprogram them to read pretty much anything and I find them more reliable than any others I have used over the years.

 

Do you have cards as I have some at a stupid price that are blank and you can print onto them, they are the cheapest cards I have ever seen for proximity ones.

 

As for doors Paxton system allows you to cancel cards but you would also restrict hours they can be used and you can set it so they have to enter a pin if you have a combi pin/reader pad so there is 2 forms to let you in.

[dgsmith]

None of our machines came with included readers so we are looking at options available. Whilst the very cheap readers work on a sort of manual mode (press the ID card/number button first), they aren't necessarily detected as "readers" and the drivers are generic keyboard emulating so getting the pricier ones with actual drivers seems the better option.

 

We have seen rfid cards on ebay for a pittance.. something like 10 for £1.60 which seem to be effective and with both frequencies.. presumably there is no issue using these cards and these are the type you may have meant?

[MatthewL]

I'd go for them cards, I've never had any issues, the multi purpose card reader has read everything I've given it.

[dgsmith]

Seems the Konica units have support for the multi-freq card reader only.. anything else is a risk and may/may not work now or in future.

 

Anyone else have any suggestions regarding whether we adopt low-freq or high-freq? I can't seem to find anything definitive on why to go with one over the other.