Leading home-automation provider Crestron has partnered with ekey Biometric Systems GmbH, a leading provider of fingerprint access-control solutions. Now an official Crestron integration partner, ekey's wall-mounted fingerprint scanners integrate seamlessly with Crestron 3-Series control systems.
Now, Crestron smart-home integrators can offer convenient one-touch door entry to their automation and security systems. Fingerprint door entry enhances security by eliminating hackable 4-digit codes and the possibility of key or access card forgery, Crestron explains.
“ekey and Crestron took up the challenge of making door entry more secure and convenient,” says Michael Short, Crestron global residential marketing manager. “To deliver on that, we focused on one of the aspects that makes us unique as human beings – fingerprints. Now, in essence, your finger is the key to your Crestron smart home.”
Compared to conventional entry access, biometric systems “make stolen keys, cards, and forgotten passwords or codes a thing of the past,” according to Crestron. “It’s impossible to lock yourself out of your home, as your finger is always, literally, on hand.”
ekey's intelligent software even detects the growth of childrens’ fingers, minor injuries, and habit changes, the company claims. Furthermore, the access-control platform enables building-control systems to track who’s coming in.
Integration with Crestron allows dealers to create custom tools to help users administer ekey-based access controls, for example, through a Crestron touchscreen.
Multiple fingerprints from individual users can be captured to trigger different events. For example, Dad's right index finger might unlock the door and set the music and lighting in the home to his preferences. Mom's same finger might trigger her personal scenes. Every family member might use their left index finger to trigger a silent alarm for duress situations.
ekey products are currently compatible with Crestron 3-Series control systems with a RS485 COM port, and SIMPL Windows software.
Advantages of fingerprint door access
- Impossible to lock yourself out, as your finger is always, literally, on hand!
- No need to worry about lost or stolen keys
- Maximum protection against forgery
- Exponentially more secure than 4-digit codes
- Impossible for access to be passed on (unlike with an access card or key)
- Intelligent software detects growth of childrens’ fingers, minor injuries, and habit changes
- Building control systems can detect who’s coming in
