FAQs for Current Clients

With most Card Access systems, the double-swipe lock/unlock function will permit a pre-authorized user to override the system’s lock schedule and either lock/unlock the door when it’s scheduled in the system to be un/locked. For example, a location is on schedule to lock at 16:00, but the Department may need to close early; so they can double-swipe to lock the door at 15:30 instead. Please note that not all locations will have authorized users to perform this funtion.

Yes, if a Department supplies the course numbers associated with their location the system can be auto-programmed to allow access to students registered in the courses for the current term. If this is the case, the Department’s Card Access system administrator will just need to set the day/time allowances.

A Patron Group is a collection of individuals with the same access needs. Patron groups are created to assist the Department in managing access to location. For example a patron group called STAFF can have access rights different than the group called STUDENT.

Organizing Patrons with similar criteria into Patron Groups helps ease the administration required of the Card Access system. Adding a Patron to a Patron Group instantly enables the Patron to access the locations configured for that group. Likewise, deleting a Patron from a Patron Group removes the Patron’s corresponding access privileges immediately.

Administrators can also add a patron to multiple Patron Groups.

A Location Group is a collection of Locations with similar characteristics. Location groups can be set by building, by hardware type, or by administrator. A newly installed Location can be added to an existing Location Group and all assigned Patron Groups will automatically be able to access it. And vice versa, remove a Location from the Location Group, and access will be automatically denied.

Department Card Access system administrators do not have permissions to create and/or modify Location Groups. These must be set by CSS.

Locations with a Card Access system can be locked or unlocked on an automated schedule. Multiple schedules can be applied to a single location or to a group of locations. For example, a location can be scheduled to be unlocked from Monday to Friday between 8:00 and 16:00; on Saturday unlocked between 11:00 and 16:00; and on Sundays remain locked 24 hrs.

Department Card Access system administrators do not have permissions to set door lock schedules. These must be set by CSS in order to ensure that they align with building specific access times as these vary across campus; and may require additional patrolling.

Patrons can be allowed to enter a Card Access location on a programmed schedule. For example, staff can have access to a location 24/7; but students only have access between 8:00 and 16:00.

Access assignments can be used for both Patrons and Patron Groups and include the following:

• Access Schedule – Reflects the days and times that this Patron can commonly access the location
• Holiday Schedule – Reflects the days and times that this Patron can access the location during a designated calendar holiday
• Calendar – Reflects the periods designated as holidays throughout this schedule
• Effective date and time to receive access – Reflects the start day and time that this Patron can commonly access the location
• Expiration date and time of access – Reflects the end day and time that this Patron can no longer access the location
• Unlock privilege – identifies is the Patron can use the double-swipe to unlock the entry point so it stays unlocked
• Strike Time interval, in seconds, the entry point stays unlocked for a Patron – normally 8 seconds, but can be extended for users that require more time to get into and out of the location.