Wavetrend appoints Controlsoft as OEM, distributor

Wavetrend has appointed Controlsoft, a leading South African developer of integrated security solutions, as a distributor and OEM. Controlsoft, which is a Microsoft Certified Solution Provider with offices in Europe and the US, has successfully incorporated Wavetrend`s active RFID technology in its KeyMaster Pro access control and asset security solution.

A special secure identification card was developed for the Controlsoft solution. This so-called "dual technology" card combines a passive proximity transponder with the Wavetrend Secure Card. The active card is monitored by Wavetrend`s long-range asset tracking readers, while the passive transponder communicates at short range with normal proximity card readers. It can be used as a proximity access control card, as an asset monitoring tag, and for hands-free monitoring of people throughout a building.

With Controlsoft`s KeyMaster Pro software, operators can track the location of cardholders in real-time. In addition to enhancing time and attendance management, this real-time employee tracking functionality also makes it feasible to provide intelligent routing of telephone calls. When used for asset tracking, the dual technology tag enables security managers to set up asset checkout stations in a KeyMaster Pro system.

"We found this solution to be a cost-effective way to add asset monitoring to our access control system," says Russell Wagstaff, Managing Director of Controlsoft. "This is particularly true for clients who want to monitor the movement of laptop computers at entrances. For such applications we affix the dual technology card to the laptop. Before leaving a secured area, an employee must present the laptop and their access card to a dedicated asset checkout reader in the entrance foyer. The KeyMaster Pro system will only grant exit permission if the employee card has been linked to the laptop`s tag," explains Wagstaff.

In a further move to integrate the two technologies, Controlsoft will manufacture a combination reader incorporating the Wavetrend reader module and a proximity smart card reader. These special access control and asset monitoring readers will integrate with the standard system controllers used in KeyMaster Pro 3.1 systems. "Going this route, we have better control over data manipulation, and we can provide a more cost-effective solution," says Wagstaff.

"Integration initiatives of this kind are very important to us, because they add extra strings to our marketing bow, and further our vision of providing active wireless identification of property, people and places," says Wavetrend`s Chief Technical Officer Fernando de Sousa. "Controlsoft is an ideal partner for us. They have extensive knowledge of industrial networking and data acquisition systems, combined with vast field experience and long-standing accreditation as a Microsoft Certified Solution Provider," adds De Sousa.

"Wavetrend`s Link-it wireless identification technology platform is finding its way to more and more specialist markets, including access control, asset monitoring, people tracking, vehicle monitoring, user identification and data authentication in the IT industry. We are also seeing increasing demand for PC and data access control solutions," says Danie Lategan, Marketing Director of Wavetrend.