Companies employ a variety of access control products to selectively manage where and when people may enter company premises. Over the last few years this $4.7 billion industry has been radically changed by advances in technology – it is currently one of the most rapidly developing markets in the security industry.

The most notable change the access control industry has undergone is the shift to software - enabling access control products as the central front-end for entire security systems. Software based access control products are versatile front-ends for integrated security systems because of their ability to work with almost any system component, including: CCTVs, alarm systems and entry systems. As a result of the shift to software-enabling access products, the access control market is presently dominated by small companies and divisions of larger companies. It remains ripe for consolidation.

The access control market can be split into four categories:

• Traditional cards, readers, locks, intercoms, and other door peripherals:
  This is the most mature segment of the access control market. Products in this category will most likely keep a presence in the market due to legacy systems and high user familiarity

• Software-driven security access systems:
  These systems form the common database for integrating subsystems. This market is currently growing very rapidly due to the market’s desire to integrate security systems

• Small- to medium-sized access control systems:
  These systems protect anywhere from 2 to 16 doors access control formerly only accessible to larger uses

• Advanced access control technologies:
  Includes capability to interface with Auto ID, such as biometrics, photo ID, radio frequency ID. This market is currently growing over 20% annually

• The electronic access control market was estimated to be $4.7 billion in 2004 and is expected to grow at 10% per annum between 2004 and 2008
• One of the biggest catalysts in the market is the integration of access control systems with other security products such as video. More than half of all access control systems are now being installed as part of an integrated security system

• Honeywell
• Bosch
• Johnson Controls
• General Electric
• Tyco