NEW YORK, N.Y., October 24, 2017 —ScholarChip®, the largest provider of automated school safety and operations services, announces two new products that embrace the Internet of Things (IoT) and use Power over Ethernet (PoE) for secure door access and classroom attendance in K12 environments. These devices make implementation quick, easy, and cost effective for classroom retrofitting or new building construction; both are integrated into ScholarChip’s cloud-based physical access and identity solutions system.
“Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for school districts to upgrade their security and operations functions through automation, with efficient Internet connectivity,” said Maged Atiya, Ph.D., CEO/CTO, ScholarChip. “Incorporating PoE into our devices means lower cost, simpler installation, less overall maintenance, and a cloud-based access control system for optimum security and management.”
PoE Secure Door Access Reader
Most schools were designed in the pre-Columbine era and security improvements have become mandatory. Upgrading school and classroom doors is a straightforward way of keeping intruders out, however, administrators soon discover that retrofitting doors with ID-card access means running expensive electrical wires throughout wall spaces, connecting a controller to each door strike, and running cables to a server as well. It can be a complex process that requires a low-voltage installer and certified electrician.
With ScholarChip’s revolutionary PoE device, any technician can easily implement the system using existing Ethernet cables that run throughout a school building. He or she can simply connect the relay to the door strike and smart ID card reader, and the door is secured. Doors are then controlled via the Internet, which means they can be locked down with one command from anywhere across campus or across the city, increasing safety and getting ahead of emergency situations fast. All door access and permissions are also easily managed online.
By using ScholarChip’s smart ID card with classroom and secure door access readers, districts can efficiently permit or deny entry, and track students and staff for all building, classroom, maintenance, IT, cafeteria, office, and library doors. The cards are coded with a unique number that is assigned to one individual; it’s the cloud-based server that maintains all the information on that person, so managing the process is quick and easy, too. And when a student transfers or a staff member is no longer affiliated with a district, their card is voided with one click.
PoE Classroom Attendance Reader
ScholarChip is known for its automated attendance system for building, large group, classroom, and bus attendance; with its PoE Classroom Reader, any district can upgrade or design new construction with an integrated attendance program throughout an entire building quickly and easily. With this cloud-based system, an accurate, real-time report shows which staff members and students are in the building or in a specific room, which can help first responders react fast.
The new readers are wall- or desk-mounted, and can process a classroom of students in under a minute. By adding ScholarChip’s automated smart ID cards and readers for attendance, school districts can also subtract time spent on administrative and clerical tasks and get better, more accurate attendance data.
“Safety precautions and automated attendance systems are transforming the K12 environment, and IoT and PoE are the wave of the future,” said Dr. Atiya. “Our new devices help reduce building costs for new construction, make retrofitting just that much easier, and most importantly, help keep students safer.”
These two new devices have onboard processing and memory for faster processing and better security in the event of a network loss. They also contain native web servers; users can update or change configurations in real time and as conditions change, i.e. during a lockdown or emergency event, for swift, school-wide control. Communications are direct to the ScholarChip security cloud on standard port 443; this port is used for all secure web traffic, which means no changes to a school’s firewall or other security setup is required.
About ScholarChip
ScholarChip is the largest provider of smart ID cards used for attendance, payment processing, visitor management, secure door access, and behavior management services in K12. It was first to market in centralizing and integrating School Safety and Operations System with a true one card solution, which operates seamlessly with popular Student Information Systems and NFC mobile devices. ScholarChip’s Higher Education services include Tuition Payment Plans, Loan Servicing, Student Retention Services, and a compliant Payment Gateway. For more information visit http://www.scholarchip.com.
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ScholarChip is a registered trademark of ScholarChip. Other product and company names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Contact:
Nancy Napurski
Lionheart Communications
585-967-3348
nnapurski@lionheartpr.com
