Latin America. Bosch has further improved the functionality of its Access Professional Edition (APE) access control software and has just released version 3.5. This release comes with two new features: the global anti-return feature and the improved Software Development Kit (SDK).
The anti-return feature prevents unauthorized credentials from being shared. Suppose an employee scans their credentials and goes through a lathe-type access control. A second employee is not authorized to access the facility. The return occurs when the first employee gives his credentials to the second person so that he can also access the controlled area. When the anti-return function is activated, the access control system checks who has entered an area or a room. The system only allows the cardholder to re-enter if they have left before.
In previous versions of Bosch APE the anti-return function could only be used with readers connected to the same controller. Now, the anti-return function works with all readers of the access control system. If necessary, an exemption option allows some cardholders (e.g. top-level executives) to be excluded from the check.
For integrators and installers, the enhanced feature increases flexibility when planning access control systems. Since the anti-return function now works with all readers and drivers in the system, there is no need to plan the connection of the readers to a particular controller.
The second new feature, the enhanced SDK, allows APE to exchange information regarding door control and door status with other security systems. Until now, only data related to cardholders could be shared between the various systems. Now, with Bosch APE 3.5, door information can also be exchanged with other integrated systems, such as video management. This allows for additional checks and increases security.
Thus, if a person wants to access a room and presents their credentials in the door reader, the information and a photograph of the person are saved in the APE access control system and shared with the Bosch Video Management System (VMS). Then, using the video camera and Intelligent Video Analytics, VMS checks if the person at the door is identical to the person in the photo and tells APE whether to open the door or not.
