Paxton’s combined video management and access control platform, Paxton10, has received an update allowing administrators to manage multiple sites, spanning cities, countries and even continents
Paxton have been developing and updating Paxton10 based on real-time feedback from their installers and end-users. This is to maximise the systems future potential for expanding businesses with multiple sites, and public spaces such as school clusters or healthcare trusts. According to the company, the installer and customer needs are what continue to drive the direction of Paxton10.
By utilising Paxton10 Cloud Services, it is now possible for up to 100 sites to be managed by a single Paxton10 server. To connect the sites via the web-based software, an activation code is used to simply identify a Paxton10 controller at the destination, and the system does the rest. The Multi-site feature in Paxton10 can reportedly be set up in minutes with minimal technical knowledge. It does not need a VPN, or any additional infrastructure.
With the introduction of Multi-site, a single Paxton10 system can still support up to 1000 doors and 1000 cameras. Site administrators can add up to 50,000 users, with no additional license fees. This makes the system cost effective and is continuously scalable at the touch of a button using Paxton’s software.
PSI caught up with Adam Stroud, Group Chief Executive at Paxton, to find out more about the update:
You developed the new feature following feedback from installers. What were their specific requirements?
It is very common for all types of end customers to require a security system that covers many premises, often in completely different locations, a chain of shops for example with a head office and 80 retail outlets. Having a single system means that staff information only needs to be entered once, and appropriate access permissions can be set across all premises. Also, the whole estate can be managed and monitored centrally allowing greater efficiency.
What would be a typical set-up that businesses with multiple sites might currently have and what are the pitfalls of such a system?
For many years, businesses with multiple sites have had to choose between administering their sites independently or requiring a permanent Wide Area Network (WAN) to allow a single system to span all of their sites. Quite often, neither of these options are good enough, as they require either a significant administrative burden, or a complex and costly IT infrastructure.
With this new version of Paxton10 customers can, for the first time, have access control, video surveillance and door entry spanning up to 100 sites, with only an internet connection needed at each site. This offers streamlined administration, with no complex IT infrastructure required.
With one system running across up to 100 sites, were resilience and reliability key development factors?
We have used robust and secure IoT technologies to enable this new Multi-site functionality. The technology is designed for literally billions upon billions of transactions, and we are very confident in our ability to scale, not only to accommodate large sites, but to comfortably accommodate many hundreds of new systems being installed every month. The technology we use comes with scalability test tools allowing us to replicate extreme real-world conditions to add further confidence.
The biggest data payload is streaming video over the internet, either live footage or archive. With this we add resilience and remove centralised bottlenecks by establishing a peer-to-peer data connection between the camera and the client when possible. Of course, this all happens seamlessly behind the scenes.
If there is no VPN and connectivity out of the box, can you assure installers that the system is secure?
All data to and from sites is encrypted using the 128-bit SSL internet standard. For this reason we can ensure that data is protected. The cloud services we use simply serve as a ‘relay’ for data communications between system hardware and the Paxton10 server. We never store personalised data in the cloud.
Does Paxton10 only work with Paxton door controllers and cameras?
Paxton10 is actually compatible with 3rd party IP cameras in conjunction with our video controller, and these cameras will work across multiple sites. However we recommend using Paxton10 cameras for the true plug and play experience and the best functionality.
How important was the simplicity of installation in the development of Paxton10?
I regularly say to our employees that at Paxton we don’t aim to be the cheapest, we don’t aim to have the most features, but we DO aim to provide the simplest, most seamless experience. In the multiple decades I have been at Paxton, we have always viewed installation companies as our customers, and making their lives easier with training, support, warranties and simple to install products is at the core of what we do.
Is the plan to keep developing new features for the platform?
Oh yes. You just wait to see what we’ve got coming!
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