Access Control

---

Application

The system is a module of the MealPac debit card system initially designed to manage and control the catering requirements of a large organisation such as a university. Each user is issued with a card and a record of his details and access rights is entered into a central database. Each gate, turnstile or traffic boom is connected to a card reader which in turn is linked back to a control PC linked to the database.

When a card is presented at a reader the number is sent back to the control PC which processes whether the user has access and if so authorises the gate to open. When access is refused, the door remains locked and the attempted access is recorded. Most systems also monitor the door and alarm if the door is forced open or held open too long after being unlocked.

All events are logged. The software runs under Windows so the PC need not be dedicated, though it must be running the program for the system to operate. The cards used in the system are normally simple magnetic stripe cards as these are the cheapest, but we can interface to proximity cards, wegan cards, smart cards or even use fingerprints.

Specifications

The system is a swipe card control system. Card readers are attached to each piece of equipment and linked back to a central control computer that decides if a transaction can take place. All transactions are logged.

Cards

The cards we normally use are simple magnetic stripe cards as used by the banks; we only look for a number on the card and dont write any data to it. We can interface to other types of card if required. We have interfaced to Bar code readers, proximity card readers and Wegen readers. Obviously for these other types of card we need to attach different reader heads and there will be a price difference.

Equipment

Turnstile

We supply turnstiles from Turnstar. These have proven over the years to be highly reliable under extreme operating conditions. The turnstiles range from simple Tripod units to half-height rotary turnstiles to the full height rotary turnstiles. There is even a glass turnstile for indoor use. The turnstiles can be bidirectional or unidirectional, controlled in both directions or controlled in one direction and free flow in the other. There is even a paraplegic gate.

All are operated with our reader electronics. We can put readers on both entry and exit or simply have a push button for exit. Each reader head has three LEDs to indicate the status to the user.

Traffic Barriers

Again, the barriers we use are manufactured by Turnstar. They come in a number of sizes depending on the width of the road to control (3m to 6m booms). We attach the same electronics as for the turnstiles and can have the barriers controlled in both directions by card or can install a loop in the road to give automatic exit.

Operator Reader/Serial Controller

The operator reader links the other card readers to the control computer. One of the serial ports of the PC is used. The reader is used to limit access to the program to valid operators only i.e. the operator has to log on. It is also used for reading user cards when updating their records.

System Options

Access to any point can be restricted to certain groups of users. All transactions are logged and can be retrieved for report purposes. The program generates the reports as required. Users can opt to have a PIN number as well as a card to use a machine, though this really does slow down the flow of users.

Close

Meal Booking Control

---

Application

The system is a debit card system designed to manage and control the catering requirements of a large organisation such as a university. he users are each issued with a card and need to deposit money into an account linked to this card. Meals are then bought against this deposit.

The system can use one or more of the following options:

• Booking: Students are required to book their meals in advance. This gives the kitchen an accurate forecast of how much food to prepare and ,at meal times, the real time statistics of how many people have eaten and how many are still to eat.
• Point of Sale: Students can buy individual items which are rung up on a till and charged directly to their card.
• Debit terminal: The terminal allows a vendor to debit the users card by an amount. Typically this is used by a vendor who uses a different POS terminal (eg a Steers terminal) to ring up the sale and the RCL terminal is used in much the same way as a Visa credit card terminal.

Each meal terminal is connected to a card reader which in turn is linked back to a control PC. The PC contains the database of users (with their credits) and decides whether the user can use the equipment or not and does all the control and logging. The software runs under Windows so the PC need not be dedicated, though it must be running the program for the system to operate. The cards used in the system are simple magnetic stripe cards. The users can be limited to the amount they can spend per day.

Specifications

The system is a swipe card control system. Card readers are attached to each piece of equipment and linked back to a central control computer that decides if a transaction can take place. All transactions are logged.

Cards

The cards we normally use are simple magnetic stripe cards as used by the banks; we only look for a number on the card and dont write any data to it. We can interface to other types of card if required. We have interfaced to Bar code readers, proximity card readers and Wegen readers. Obviously for these other types of card we need to attach different reader heads and there will be a price difference.

Equipment

POS Terminal

The Point of Sale Terminal is a PC running a specific program which emulates a cash register. It is linked to a card reader which in turn is linked it back to the control computer. The POS terminal is loaded with items (PLUs) and can be used for cash or card transactions (it can be limited to either cash or card). For a transaction, an operator punches in the PLU number for each item, and the list is totalled and printed. For cash the amount tendered is entered and the change is calculated.

For card use, the operator first swipes the user card and the till will show how much the user can spend. The items are then entered and totalled and the amount due is debited to the card account. If the user limit is exceeded the transaction is aborted. The system can be switched so that the user must enter a PIN code before the card can be used.

The POS unit can have the following attachments:

• Slip printer - this is essential
• Customer display - a two line LCD display on a stand
• Cash drawer - this is connected to the slip printer
• Bar code scanner - used to read the barcode printed on all items instead of punching in a PLU

Booking Point

The booking point consists of a terminal, keypad and card reader mounted in a cabinet. This is linked back to the control PC. The user swipes his card through the reader and a grid showing the meals available to him for the next week are displayed. He selects the meals he wants using the keypad. As meals are booked the user's account is debited for them.

A time limit is set for the booking and cancelling of meals e.g. 24 hours before the mealtime. The booking point is open to users 24 hours a day.

Touch Screen

We have recently developed a booking point using a touch screen instead of a key pad.

Meal Point

The meal point is a card reader in the dining hall next to the servery. Users swipe their cards through the reader and if the meal has been booked they are allowed through. A booked meal can only be taken once. Under special circumstances the meal point can be switched to allow users to take unbooked meals. This would happen if the user could not book (eg start of term) or if there is extra food which can be sold. Unbooked meals are debited to the user account at the meal point.

There are two types of mealpoints:

• Simple point with lights and buzzer to indicate which meal was booked.
• Meal point with printer which gives the user a slip to present to the caterer.

Both meal points can control a turnstile if required.

Close

Photocopier Control

---

Application

This system is designed for an office or student environment. It can have up to 10 network loops and each loop can control up to 32 readers - these can control copiers, PC's, note readers or doors/gates. Each copier is connected to a card reader which in turn is linked back to a control PC. The PC decides whether the user can use the equipment or not and does all the control and logging. The software runs under Windows so the PC need not be dedicated, though it must be running the program for the system to operate. The cards used in the system are simple magnetic stripe cards.

Specifications

The system is a swipe card control system. Card readers are attached to each copier and linked back to a central control computer that decides if a user can make copies. All transactions are logged.

Cards

Magnetic Stripe cards - similar to bank cards.

Copier Controllers

A card reader is attached to each photocopier to control the copies made. Two types of reader are available:

1. Full Reader - the reader has a two line display showing the credit left on a user account. The decreasing credit is shown as copies are made. It also has a keypad which can be used if PIN numbers are used for extra security.
2. Simple reader - this only has a Green and Red LED to indicate the copier status.

The copier controllers can be a maximum of 2km from the control computer.

Operator Reader

The operator reader links the Copier Controllers to the control computer. One of the serial ports of the PC is used. The reader is also used to limit access to the program to valid operators only.

Maximum Users

Up to 1 000 000.

System Options

• Different charges can be made for different copiers.
• Different prices can be charged for different users on the SAME copier machine eg staff and visitors.
• Access to a copier can be restricted to certain groups of users.
• All transactions are logged and can be retrieved for report purposes. The program generates the reports as required.
• Users can opt to have a password as well as a card to use a machine.

Close

Sport Control

---

Application

The system is a debit card system designed to manage and control a sports complex.

The users are each issued with a card and need to deposit money into an account linked to this card. Bookings are then made and paid for from this deposit.

Each terminal is connected to a card reader which in turn is linked back to a control PC. The PC contains the database of users (with their credits) and decides whether the user can use the equipment or not and does all the control and logging. The software runs under Windows so the PC need not be dedicated, though it must be running the program for the system to operate. The cards used in the system are simple magnetic stripe cards.

Specifications

The system is a swipe card control system. Card readers are attached to each piece of equipment and linked back to a central control computer that decides if a transaction can take place. All transactions are logged.

Cards

The cards we normally use are simple magnetic stripe cards as used by the banks - we only look for a number on the card and don't write any data to it.

We can interface to other types of card if required. We have interfaced to Bar code readers, proximity card readers and Wegen readers. Obviously for these other types of card we need to attach different reader heads and there will be a price difference.

Features

1. During the day the courts are booked for fixed times. Different courts can have different start and stop times for booking periods. After hours (eg 10pm to 6am) the courts can be used on a first come first serve basis.
2. Different charges can be made for different courts at different times of the day.
3. Different groups of users eg Full members, junior members etc can be charged different amounts to play.
4. Specific courts can be blocked to specific groups for specific time periods eg only full members can book the best courts at peak time.
5. A double swipe system can be implemented � both players must swipe their cards before the lights are turned on. If a user swipes his own card twice it is assumed he is playing with a visitor and will be charged accordingly.
6. A user is given 5 minutes grace (a selectable period) to use his booking. After this time the court becomes available to other users. The person who made the booking loses the fee charged and the new user also pays.
7. A penalty can be charged if a person books but does not use the court.
8. Bookings are charged for at the time of booking. If the booking is cancelled timeously the fee is refunded, otherwise it is lost.
9. Group cards can be created (eg for a school or a tournament). These cards can book more than one court for a block period.
10. The cost of the court can be split between two players. The player booking the court initially pays the full cost, but at playing time, when both players have to swipe their cards, the cost can be split and the booking partner is refunded half the fee.

Equipment

Booking Point

The booking point is the user interface to the system. It consists of a PC with a touch screen and a card reader. This is linked back to the control PC.

For all transactions the user first swipes his card through the reader. This identifies the user. If the system detects he has a booking it will show this and prompt the user to swipe the card for the second player. If the second card is a valid card the lights are switched on for the relevant court. At the end of the timeslot the lights are switched off, unless the next time slot is booked by the same person.

If no booking is found or the lights have already been switched on, a grid is displayed on the screen showing the court timeslots and the bookings made. To make a booking the user simply selects an empty slot for a court and presses BOOK. If he has the funds he is charged and the booking is stored. Once a court is booked only the person who booked it (or an administrator) can cancel it.

A normal user cannot book for the same time on different courts. The booking point is open to users 24 hours a day.

Court Controller

This box consists of the electronics which switch the lights on and off. It also has switches to override the computer. It is normally situated near the control PC, out of reach of the normal users.

Access Controller

This is a card reader which operates a door, gate or turnstile. All entries are logged on the control computer.

Operator Reader

The operator reader links the other card readers to the control computer. One of the serial ports of the PC is used.

The reader is used to limit access to the program to valid operators only ie the operator has to log on. It is also used for reading user cards when updating their records.

Maximum Users

Up to 100 000.

System Options

Access to any court can be restricted to certain groups of users. All transactions are logged and can be retrieved for report purposes. The program generates the reports as required. Users can opt to have a PIN number as well as a card to use a machine for court bookings.

Close

Stock Management

---

Application

The stock system is a tool to keep track of items going into and out of a store.

The system is basically a database of items in the store and documents defining what and how these items move. There is also a suite of software to enter this data and create the relevant documents, and to generate reports on what is happening.

Specifications

Items - The actual things that are tracked. Number of items is unlimited - the limit will actually be defined by the power of the computer. Each item is assigned a Stock Code, Description, Cost Price, Selling Price, Tax rate and a list of Preferred Suppliers. It can be classified in two ways - by department or a three tier category. Each item also has several dynamic variables - stock on order, stock on hand and its value.

For each item you can view the stock levels on any particular day or the movement over a period.

• Clients : Unlimited suppliers, customers or branches.
• Operators: Different operators can be assigned different levels of authority.
• Documents: Orders, Goods Received, Goods returned, Issues and Sales, Sales Orders and Invoices. Documents can be emailed to clients.
• Reports: Stock movement, stock Levels, minimum and maximum stock levels, transaction reports summaries etc.
• Menus: A menu can be used to create a complex item from simpler ones in the database e.g. a cake from flour, eggs etc.
• Distributed systems: Branch data can be updated from a central point via email.
• Centralised control: All branch data can be sent to a central location for checking and payment.

The system can be linked in to our POS system.

Close

Note Reader Control

---

Description

The Note Reader can be viewed as a "vending machine" with which students or any users of a system can physically deposit cash into the Note Reader box. The deposited cash will then be credited to their account. If there are more than one account into which a user can deposit cash into, they have the option to select which account the cash deposit should be credited with, for example they can select to either pay the cash into their internet, print, meal or sports facility account.

The physical cash box is designed in such a manner that the electronics section is opened with one key, and the cash box section with another. This gives an organisation the surity that only they have access to the phsyical deposited cash. The Note Reader only requires a power connection and network connection in order to be installed.

The Note Reader is a great solution for any system that requires users to deposit cash on demand whether it be at a sports facility like depositing money into your cash club's account for court playing time, for a student to deposit money into their print or internet account etc.

The Note Reader can be linked in to either our Meal booking system, sports booking system or any other companies' system which needs to incorporate a physical cash deposit system.

Close

Point of Sale Control

---

Application

The Point of Sale system consists of a PC running a specific program which emulates a cash register. It is linked to a card reader which in turn is linked it back to the control computer. The POS terminal is loaded with items called Price Lookup Codes (PLUs) and can be used for cash or card transactions (it can be limited to either cash or card).

For a transaction, an operator punches in the PLU number for each item, and the list is totalled and printed. For cash the amount tendered is entered and the change is calculated.

For card use, the operator first swipes the user card and the till will show how much the user can spend. The items are then entered and totalled and the amount due is debited to the card account. If the user limit is exceeded the transaction is aborted. The system can be switched so that the user must enter a PIN code before the card can be used.

Specifications

The POS unit can have the following attachments:

• Slip printer: This is essential to any POS system.
• Customer display: A two line LCD display on a stand.
• Cash drawer: This is connected to the slip printer.
• Bar code scanner: Used to read the barcode printed on all items instead of punching in a PLU/bar code number.

Close