But how do you really feel? Wow, thanks for that, scratch one option. We need 
color photo printing, two sided info, RFID optional and able to be operated by 
a 2 year old chimpanzee.

----- Original Message -----
From: Ben Scott <[email protected]>
To: NT System Admin Issues <[email protected]>
Sent: Thu Apr 01 09:59:48 2010
Subject: Re: Way OT help

On Thu, Apr 1, 2010 at 9:31 AM, John Cook <[email protected]> wrote:
> For those of you that have companies that use name badges
> what systems do you use ...

  Are you looking for just names, or photos, or full-blown
magstripe/RFID/etc cards?

  We invested in a system of the "full blown" variety last year.
Currently sold by "Honeywell" as "NetAXS".  It used to be the "NS"
series from "Northern Computer".  I guess Honeywell just bought
Northern and started stamping their own name on it.  Uses software
called "WIN-PAK".  The printer is a "Tango" from "Ultra MagiCard".

  It's been a fiasco.

  About the only parts that work right are (1) printing the badges
themselves and (2) unlocking doors when you swipe a badge.

  The software logs spurious alarms and other weird messages
constantly.  To the tune of 100s per day, sometimes.  Good luck
actually getting useful reports or notifications on things like
propped doors, forced entry, etc.

  Configuring it to actually unlock the right doors for the right
people on the right schedule, and not otherwise, is also less than
ideal.

  I think a large part of that is the reseller/installer did a crappy
wiring job, and their tech guys don't really understand the system
that well.  That's what we get for going with the lowest bidder.

  But the system itself is crappy, too.

  The web UI built-in to the hardware is slow and flaky.  It's not
good for much, so you need to use the WIN-PAK software for most
anything.

  The WIN-PAK software is also slow, and even flakier.  And requires
admin rights.  And must run foreground as a logged-in user.  And has a
cumbersome UI.  And occasionally hangs when talking to the hardware.
And takes an hour to update our 6 control units (~20 doors).

  The printer driver causes weird spooler error messages and hogs the
CPU and must pop up obnoxious windows when you print.

  We've even had a mfg rep in a few times.  He couldn't answer a lot
of our questions.  He's stopped returning our calls now.

  "Would not buy from again."

-- Ben

~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~
~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/>  ~

CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT: The information transmitted, or contained or 
attached to or with this Notice is intended only for the person or entity to 
which it is addressed and may contain Protected Health Information (PHI), 
confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, transmission, 
dissemination, or other use of, and taking any action in reliance upon this 
information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient without 
the express written consent of the sender are prohibited. This information may 
be protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 
(HIPAA), and other Federal and Florida laws. Improper or unauthorized use or 
disclosure of this information could result in civil and/or criminal penalties.
 Consider the environment. Please don't print this e-mail unless you really 
need to.

~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~
~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/>  ~

Reply via email to