pdqSMART vs Data on Card Solutions

Why not Data on Card?

The feedback we have received from End Users in multiple verticals is that the data on card solution does not fully achieve their goals of workflow enhancement, operational efficiency and increased security. There are two reasons to add access control. The first is to enhance security by being better able to control who has access, when they have access and where they have access. The second reason to add access control is to streamline operations and reduce the time and labor associated with managing access at a facility.

Data on card solutions use “offline” system architecture as opposed to “online” like pdqSMART XLS. Data on card locks are isolated from communications until a user with updated information shows up, card in hand. The pdqSMART wireless mesh network delivers the ability for the system to communicate as actions happen and respond as needed without the need for a person to “tour” the locks with a card. We have spoken with many end-users who once they realize they need to tour the lock to make a change were less than enamored with the data on card solution. If you suddenly need to revoke access privileges for a user and you are not onsite you are stuck. That user will have access until each lock in the system is told differently by a person physically going to each lock with an updated card. This can create a huge security gap for a business or organization especially if you are managing multiple sites.

Data on card solutions rely upon reader-updaters which typically due to cost are only at a few locations within a building. This leaves many more access points open to a user to bypass the system and updates. The only way to ensure that a user is out of the system is to tour all the locks in a facility. The other key disadvantage with data on card and offline locks is that they cannot be remotely unlocked. Many times users need to allow access to a space but may not want to issue a credential. With pdqSMART XLS solutions the locks are online and capable of being remotely unlocked. Data on card solutions also do not support PIN access codes where our XLS solution supports mobile phone credentials, RFID cards and PIN access codes. Three options for credentials in one locking platform.

Frequently End users get enticed by the lower initial acquisition cost of data on card solutions, but in the end they fail to realize the operational efficiencies and savings that they were really seeking. This leaves them disappointed and frustrated. We offer an online wireless solution in our XLS platform and we also offer a wireless offline solution in our STS products. We call our STS products a “Data on Phone” solution. Data on Phone technology provides application flexibility while maintaining security by using an encrypted mobile phone application to transmit system data between offline devices and online management systems. The STS products deliver what we call “Live Validation” where the users phone checks for their access rights in real-time via the phones mobile communications capabilities. No one really wants to carry a plastic key card, a card is just a key in another form. Everyone is already carrying a mobile phone which has tremendous communications capabilities. We are able to deliver more access with greater assurance by leveraging our technology. To provide even more value the XLS and STS systems share the same platform technologies and can be used together to create a hybrid solution.

• Mobile credentials from pdqSMART are Free!
• Mobile credentials are easier to administer than cards
• Mobile credentials are more secure than cards
• Mobile credentials can be issued and revoked at will

By being a “mobile-first” platform we make it easier to ditch the cards altogether. Cards still cost money and can be another layer to manage within a system. Our mobile credentials are free, we do not charge for them because we deploy them differently than other solutions in the market today. For the end-user who wants to reduce their long term operational costs pdqSMART’s secure mobile credential solution is ideal. It is fast and easy to administer, mobile credentials can be issued from the administrator's phone or tablet and shared via SMS or e-mail. In today’s fast-paced and dynamic business environment you don’t need to be tied down to a desk just to give someone access.

Contact us today to learn more about pdqSMART solutions and how they can provide you with greater security and operational efficiency https://www.pdqlocks.com/pdqsmart/.

Simple, Secure, Flexible, Smart.