Touchstar upgrades its Evolution controller with the launch of a four-reader access controller. But is it worth the cost of hardware vs. the cost of power, network and installation?
The fast answer to this question is yes, no, maybe. But that won’t write a business case, so let’s unpick the question and look at the detail.
In large scale depots, warehouses, and retail units, controlling access is imperative for safeguarding customers, employees, goods and materials, and machinery.
The most popular solution is being able to control a single door with up to two readers at a time with more readers requiring additional hardware. This could, in some circumstances, cost more due to the need to run additional power, network points, and the time taken to install.
Operational efficiency and building security, especially for organisations that need to manage multiple sites, may need larger scale solutions that allow for more readers being controlled per point.
Thanks to this latest edition of our Evolution access controller, Touchstar can now support operations that need readers on up to four doors from a single controller. It’s a welcome change for those organisations that need an enterprise-grade solution.
Best of all, it can all be managed remotely through Evolution, Touchstar’s Access Control Software. This means facilities teams can easily add to their Evolution system with this new hardware, alongside their existing Evolution system on a single site or across multiple sites.
But will four reader access control solutions save me money?
This evolution is good news for organisations embarking on large-scale upgrades and installations, as the number of controllers required, and therefore power and network infrastructure, can be reduced. This represents a significant cost saving to capex.
What about compatibility with hardware?
First, Evolution hardware and software can be scaled quickly to meet changing operational needs, so as you grow the system grows.
And second, no matter how big or fast you grow it will integrate seamlessly with a wide range of the latest cutting-edge security hardware solutions including door systems, car park barriers, gates and turnstiles from leading manufacturers such as ‘ievo’, Abloy and FAAC.
EvoLink is also compatible with other systems that use shared data.
EvoLink is built to work with critical applications
EvoLink is designed with customers in mind and the applications they use day-to-day.
EvoLink can link to most front-end software including HR and payroll systems, cashless vending, and third party access control systems such as Paxton and Salto. This streamlines operational processes and reduces costs, duplication and errors.
What is the cost of running power and network to a newly controlled location?
We can answer this question by comparing a large scale Touchstar installation against third party solutions.
This example considers the main elements needed to install an Access Control Unit, power and networking. Note, this doesn’t include the access hardware or the software as that’s tailored to the needs of the customer:
| Evolution | Single reader | Two readers | Three readers | Four readers | 3rd Party | Single reader | Two readers | Three readers | Four readers |
| ACU | 685 | 685 | 685 | 685 | ACU | 457 | 457 – 914 | 914 – 1371 | 1371 – 1828 |
| Power | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | Power | 150 | 150 – 300 | 300 – 450 | 450 – 600 |
| Network | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | Network | 75 | 75 – 150 | 150 – 225 | 225 – 300 |
| Total | 910 | 910 | 910 | 910 | Total | 682 | 682 -1,364 | 1,364 – 2,046 | 2,046 – 2,728 |
As you can see, there’s a potential range of savings making large-scale installations more affordable than ever before.