Installing access control systems can be complicated, but ProdataKey (PDK) hardware simplifies access each step to make installation as straightforward and efficient as possible. The ProdataKey team takes a very intentional approach to designing hardware, as explained by PDK’s Director of Product Management, Loren Bryner: “As we develop new products, we want to define what the installer and/or end user needs it to do, and define the reliability of it.” The number one priority is to ensure that products are reliably fulfilling installer and user needs. A large part of this, particularly for the installer, is making sure that ProdataKey hardware is simple to install and set up. In order to ensure simplified installation, ProdataKey hardware features many intuitive characteristics that make installation easier than ever before.
Removable Connectors: Simplified Wiring for Your Access Control Install
When installing a ProdataKey system, the first thing you need to do is wire together the Cloud Node and its controllers. In order to simplify this process, ProdataKey control boards feature connector pieces that can be removed from the control board for easier wiring. This piece, known as a Phoenix connector, utilizes screw terminals to clamp connecting wires. Once the wires are screwed into the connector, the entire thing can then be easily plugged right back into the control board.
“This connector removes some of the pain of trying to fit your hands in a tight space in a can; instead, you can pull the connector out, wire it up where it makes most sense, and then plug it back in,”
Loren Bryner
On top of making the wiring process a more physically comfortable task, the connector also has indicators printed on it, clearly outlining where each wire needs to go. This makes wiring straightforward and eliminates any guesswork when it comes to figuring out where each wire belongs.
Modularity: Install Access Control In Hard-to-Reach Areas
A key feature of ProdataKey’s newest line of Red controllers is its modularity, made possible through the implementation of both PoE++ and WiMAC™ modules. The PoE++ module allows you to power a controller and proprietary hardware via Power over Ethernet (PoE), rather than setting up a separate line for power in addition to the ethernet cable. While the PoE++ module simplifies power management, the WiMAC module makes communication between devices a breeze. Installing the WiMAC module enables proprietary wireless communication, eliminating the need for traditional wiring, saving you both time and money in the long run. “Because of the modularity of Red controllers, you can place a controller where you actually want it, versus where wiring will dictate it has to go”, Loren explains. This expands the limits of where you can install hardware in your space, ensuring that PDK devices can be set up in typically hard-to-reach areas. On top of this, these modules are beyond simple to install! With easy plug-and-play connection, set-up requires no more work than snapping the module onto its outlined place on the control board.
Auto-Discovery: Easy Hardware Communication
When you are setting up an access control system, a large aspect of this process is making sure that the hardware is able to properly communicate the way you want it to. Luckily, ProdataKey controllers have a built-in auto-discovery feature: as soon as the Ethernet cable is connected, the controller will be discovered by the Cloud Node. Thanks to this feature, all of your devices will be automatically pulled into your PDK.io interface, eliminating the need for you to manually input an IP address or an obscure name to get each of these devices connected – “The system does the work for you!” says Loren. The auto-discovery features eliminates a lot of time consuming back-and-forth – yet another way that ProdataKey hardware helps your install run quickly and simply.
Scalability: Expand Your System With Ease
If you’ve installed a ProdataKey system and you find yourself wanting to upscale and add more devices, perhaps to cover previously unprotected entry points or newly constructed areas, PDK hardware makes expanding your system easy! With controllers like the Red Max – fully customizable with any Red expansion board and capable of controlling up to 24 doors from a single enclosure – a PDK system can be quickly and easily scaled. When you add an expander board or a new controller to your system, the device will be automatically discovered and available in your PDK.io interface. Whether you need one door or a thousand, a PDK Red Cloud Node gives you the flexibility to add more doors anytime, anywhere, on any device.
The Signature ProdataKey Yellow
Lastly, a defining feature of ProdataKey hardware is the signature yellow color – something that not only sets us apart from other access control providers aesthetically, but it can also help with installation! IT closets can often be overflowing with hardware and clusters of wires, making it hard to find the exact device you’re looking for. But when you’re installing a PDK Cloud Node or controller, you’ll always be able to find it! “When you go into an IT closet it can get so messy and drab, so the yellow really pops, and I think that’s important,” says Brandon Lowery, an installer and CEO of Converge Communication Technologies. Ultimately, the PDK Yellow is there to brighten your day and your installation experience!
With intuitive scalability options, modular expansions, auto-discovery, hassle-free connectors, and a signature PDK Yellow design that makes hardware easy to locate, ProdataKey hardware is designed to guarantee a quick and reliable set up. To learn more about installing your own ProdataKey system, schedule a demo today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How does ProdataKey hardware simplify access control installation?
ProdataKey software offers solutions that simplify wiring, power management, communication, and device discovery, ultimately making installation a much easier and more enjoyable process.
How is ProdataKey hardware modular?
ProdataKey’s line of Red controllers can be configured with the PoE++ and/or WiMAC modules, allowing for more power and communications options in an access control system.
Can a ProdataKey access control system be easily scaled?
Yes, a PDK system features simple scalability, with the option to easily install new controllers (such as a Red 1, 2, 4 or 8) or expansion boards in a Red Max enclosure.
How does auto-discovery improve an access control system installation?
Auto-discovery ensures that controllers will automatically be discovered by and communicate with a ProdataKey Cloud Node, eliminating the need to manually input IP addresses or other controller information.
