re: Electronic key card locks

quote:

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All that's really going on is a card reader reads the card, sends the info back to a central server over cat5 ethernet, the central server logs the requests, and either approves or denies entry. This sends a signal back to the door lock, often an extremely powerful electromagnet, and allows the door to be opened.

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Not quite. There's a panel that goes between the readers and the server. The quality/features of the panel and software is where you'll see the most cost in the system itself. And a panel that can handle 18 or so doors has to be pretty robust. (ETA: Actually, if you're talking about a school with sets of doors in multiple locations, you're looking at multiple panels for each area other wise, you'll be running cables everywhere.) But another poster is right... installing will cost a ton, especially if you're dealing with an old school. Brick, failing infrastructure, etc.

The big issue for a school is who administers the server, panel, readers, software? Because if something doesn't work correctly, do you just prop the doors until you can get contracted IT support out there? Schools typically don't have someone like this on staff.