Lenel.
Lenel Systems International was founded in 1991 by immigrants from the former Soviet Union and is currently one of the leaders in the field of open architecture computer security systems. Currently, approximately 18,000 Lenel security systems are installed and operating worldwide in more than 93 countries, and the company's products are sold by more than 350 distributors. Lenel is headquartered in Rochester (USA), and its regional centers operate in London, Beirut, Dubai, Shanghai and Hong Kong, while the company employs more than 200 people. In 2005, Lenel became part of UTC Fire & Security, one of the world's largest manufacturers of equipment for security and fire systems.
The philosophy of Lenel's development is based on the creation of promising, future-oriented products and commitment to the principle of open system architecture. All system solutions of the company are scalable and involve the expansion of an existing security system by means of its hardware expansion or by adding new software modules. This approach allows to save investments of owners and maintain the security of objects at a modern technological level.
Lenel's path to the comprehensive OnGuard solution
Historically, after its foundation, the company specialized in the production of multimedia software, and then, since the mid-90s of the last century, Lenel's interests have shifted to the field of developing programs for integrated security systems. At that time, the main players in the ACS market focused on their own equipment production, and the development of the industry was mainly in the direction of developing functions for existing devices. However, computer technologies were already rapidly developing at that time, which caused an increase in user requirements for security systems. Having caught the mood of the market, Lenel offered the consumer a completely new solution for that time: integrated software for integrated security systems — the OnGuard platform.
Lenel Security Space
Today, the Lenel OnGuard hardware and software platform has received numerous international awards and is a recognized leader in the field of access control systems and integrated security systems for high-rise buildings and geographically distributed facilities. This platform is a de facto standard in terms of reliability, functionality and user convenience. In addition, many well-known companies (Cisco Systems, Dell, HP, Microsoft, Nissan, etc.) have adopted the use of this system as a corporate standard. In OnGuard, a specialized software application is used to manage each specific area of the security system (access control system, security alarm, digital video surveillance system, fire alarm, personnel management system, etc.).
The architecture and software modules of the Lenel security system that have made the company an industry leader
OnGuard Enterprise is a multi-server solution for enterprises with facilities geographically distributed across the city, country or world.
OnGuard Access – an access control system for an unlimited number of doors and personnel, which can function both as part of the Lenel security system and independently.
OnGuard ID CredentialCenter. An application for creating, printing and encoding access cards/passes for ACS and collecting statistical data on their use.
OnGuard VideoManager – a software module for configuring and setting up Lenel DVRs and NVRs operating as part of the OnGuard system, as well as video monitoring, recording and searching for video in archives.
OnGuard IntelligentVideo – software application for analysis, recognition and classification of video images from video system cameras.
OnGuard Visitor – module for managing and monitoring the movement of visitors on the territory of a protected building/facility and assigning access to those zones that are determined by the administration.
OnGuard Area Access Manager – a program used to assign and manage personnel access to various areas controlled by a building’s security system.
OnGuard Fire & Intrusion – software for collecting information and managing events in security and fire alarm systems from various manufacturers.
OnGuard Integration Toolkits – a set of software tools that allow various software and hardware developers to integrate their products into the OnGuard platform.
Lenel solutions are independent of the number of access points and personnel
The main feature of the OnGuard security system is its increased stability during very intensive data exchange. Thus, the OnGuard platform can control and restrict access in the office of a small organization with 32 access card readers or in a large enterprise equipped with more than 5,000 readers and employing more than 50,000 people. In addition, this system is distinguished by the presence of built-in interfaces for «seamless» data exchange with IT applications already running at enterprises.
Lenel Equipment Versatility
For the hardware part of a comprehensive security system, Lenel produces network system controllers, reader modules, input/output modules, as well as digital (DVR) and network (NVR) video recorders. In addition, ready-made “Hardware plus Software” packages are offered, from which you can select an effective solution for organizing a security system for both a small facility with just one controlled door and large, geographically distributed facilities.
Support for RFID and biometric technologies
Another distinctive feature of Lenel security systems is their support for biometric technologies from various manufacturers, which means that OnGuard ACS can use not only RFID readers and access cards, but also biometric fingerprint and handprint readers. The OnGuard Biometrics software module can work with fingerprint readers from companies such as Biomentric Solutions, Bioscript, Identix, Sagem or with handprint geometry readers from Recognition Systems.
Compatibility of Lenel solutions with third-party equipment
A key point in Lenel's strategy is its commitment to open-architecture systems. Thanks to the solutions listed below, the OnGuard integrated security system is compatible with third-party ACS equipment:
Using the ODBC database management standard and working with the three most popular database management systems: SQL Server, Oracle Server and IBM DB2 Universal Server.
• Support for the industrial standard OPC (OLE for Process Control).
• Provision of API (Application Programming Interface) to third-party software and hardware manufacturers for integrated security systems: OpenDevice™ for integrating various equipment into a security system and OpenExchange™ for integrating software applications.