Virtual barriers

A virtual barrier is a resource that allows you to control the presence of people in a location, without the need to prevent movement through a physical block, such as a turnstile. This control is entirely made by readers activated when someone enters the area.

Devices must be installed close to the entrance of the locations which must have the access or presence controlled, such as RFID readers, for example, which work via proximity and don't require any clocking events to be physically made using a reader. The person simply needs to go through the location where the RFID readers are, while carrying an equipment that can be read by them, such as a specific type of ID card. Conventional readers, such as Smart card and bar code readers, can also be used. This way the worker will do a reading on them to register his or her presence, and not necessarily to gain access through a door.

The concept of virtual barriers uses two readers simultaneously, and the person must be identified by both, in sequence. The readers must be related to collector devices, i.e., devices which do not perform access control. The physical space between the readers is what we call virtual barrier.

To use this feature, after registering the readers, select them in the Device 1 and Device 2 fields. Set, in the Response time in seconds field, the time interval in which the validation must be performed between the two readers.

Example of use

We wish to control the access to a specific area of the company which has a small corridor in its entrance. We can install a reader at the beginning of this corridor and another one a little further on.

To enter this area, the worker starts walking through the corridor (first reader) and goes on walking (passing by the second reader). When the worker is identified by both readers, his or her presence is registered in that area.

The response time between the readers is 20 seconds. If for any reason the employee passes the first reader and does not pass the second during that time, or if he returns along the corridor instead of continuing forward, his presence in that area will not be considered.

Note

When using devices that control proximity, you should know the reach of each device to avoid placing them too close to each other. If the reach of both devices overlap, the virtual barrier may not work properly.