Commercial Access Control
Card Access security using proximity (prox) cards, TWIC cards, magnetic stripe cards or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) not only increases a business’s ability to control access to specific areas, they also provide business’s an opportunity to increase payroll accuracy, track personnel in hazardous work areas in case of emergency and when interfaced with automation equipment, customize environmental settings.
TWIC Smart Cards
TWIC “Transportation Worker Identification Credentials”, is a program initiated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) under HSPD-12 for all personnel requiring unescorted 
access to secure areas of the MTSA regulated facilities and vessels, and all mariners holding Coast Guard issued credentials. The TWIC program uses smart cards based on the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 201 for Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and Contractors. 
Smart Cards are able to encode finger print biometrics, images and other personal identification data to match the card to an individual for increased identification capabilities. TWIC is rapidly becoming the standard for secure access to those areas regulated by TSA. Horizon is a regional leader in installing and servicing TWIC compatible systems.
Proximity Cards
Proximity cards are wallet size access cards that when placed in the proximity of a card reader, transmit an identification code which is sent to a computer. 
The computer matches the ID against a database and either grants access or not. Aside from access control, the computer can interface with control systems to initiate lighting control, security system activation, HVAC control and almost any other electronic action. Proximity Cards use RFID technology but are generally limited to a read distance less than 10cm. Increased read distance up to 10M is possible with RFID using a higher frequency than is typically found in access control proximity cards.
RFID
RFID technology operates at four different frequencies that have different characteristics.
| Frequency Range |
LF
|
HF |
UHF |
Microwave |
| 125-135 KHz | 13,56 MHz | 860-960 MHz | 2.45 GHz | |
| Read Range | 10cm | 1m | 2-7m | 10m |
| Applications | Security Access, Asset Tracking and Animal Tracking | Anti theft, baggage, libraries, transport, apparel | Transportation vehicle ID, Access/Security, large item management, supply chain | Access Control, electronic toll collection, supply chain |
| Multi-Tag Read Range | Slow  Fast |
|||
| Ability to read near metal or wet surface | Better Worse |
|||
| Tag Size | Larger Smaller |
|||
| Usage | Highest Lowest |
|||
| Cost | High Low |
|||
Source: Frost and Sullivan
Worker Safety
The health and safety of an employee or contractor is always a major concern with any company. In times of an emergency the whereabouts of every person can be a critical factor. The ability to know who is clear of danger and who is still unaccounted for, is a concern for all Emergencey Responders.
Access to confined work spaces is always a concern. Using card access or RFID transponders an employer can easily track the movements of all personnel and restrict access to confined or hazardous work spaces, unless the correct personnel are present or sound an alarm if a present time has passed after entry without exit. For more information on using access control to increase worker safety, please contact our commercial services engineering group.
Wireless
Unlike traditional wired infrastructures, Horizon offers our clients a wireless option. 
Using standard internet wireless networks, our handheld wireless readers allow for quick installation in remote locations. On large work sites, tracking contractors and(or) equipment can be a choir. Using our wireless technology, a company can easily keep track of who comes and goes with minimum build time and cost.