Learn More About How The ACTAtek Works

The standard ACTAtek is available in 1000 and 3000 user models. Special order, biometric capable units are also available up to 20,000 user models. Please contact our sales department if your application requires a high user count.

Yes!  The ACTAtek can be used outdoors when properly installed.  In fact, the ACTAtek has been rated IP65.

ACTAteks come in a variety of different configurations.  It is important to note that, unlike many competing technologies, all of the ACTAtek models are compatible with each other.  Therefore, you may use a single Primary unit to administer fingerprint, smart card and keypad models on the same network.  With the ACTAtek you are free to design and deploy the most cost effective and usable solution possible.

Yes, there are several combinations of authentication methods that can be employed.  Below is a breakdown of these combinations:

To record a user’s fingerprint information, a user simply places their finger on the scanner and waits for about 1 second for the unit to record the minutiae data.  Depending on the number of templates that the administrator has assigned the unit to capture, the user will repeat this process several times with one or more fingers

Yes!  Incorrect placement of a user’s fingerprint can lead to a false rejection of the user.  It is extremely important that the user follow a few simple steps when registering and authenticating with the ACTAtek unit.  These steps can be found in the following document:

The unit does not store images of a user’s fingerprint!  When a user is initially enrolled in the ACTAtek unit, several scans of the fingerprint are made.  Each of these scans is processed by a proprietary algorithm to identify special characteristics of the user’s fingerprint called minutiae.  This information, not an image, is stored in the ACTAtek.  Subsequently, when a user places their finger on the scanner to authenticate, the scanner reads in the fingerprint image and uses the stored information to match minutiae points on the fingerprint

Unfortunately, there are some people for who biometrics will not work consistently.  For example, a person who works in a dirty, oily or greasy environment may not have clean enough finger for consistent fingerprint matching.  For applications where this or other similar scenarios may occur, we offer an optional built-in Mifare Smart Card reader/writer that can be used by itself or, for greater security, with a PIN number.

The ACTAtek unit can be easily configured to take 3, 5 or 7 templates for each user.  When a user tries to authenticate, the unit will search and try to match based on all templates stored for the user.

Yes! The ACTAtek system can be used with existing HID Prox, Prox II and iCLASS. No special formatting is required. To enroll a user with their existing HID Prox, Prox II or iCLASS card, an administrator simply registers the card with the unit and associates the card with the user in the ACTAtek system.

HID compatibility makes it simple to add biometric security in an HID Prox, Prox II and iCLASS environment.

No, the ACTAtek uses the HID Prox, Prox II and iCLASS cards's CSN number for identification. For added security, the ACTAtek can then be used to verify the user using fingerprint recognition.

Despite their equal dimensions, the Mifare Smart Card is essentially a proximity card and works entirely different from normal magnetic strip card such as a credit card.  The Mifare Smart Cards use an embedded chip and antennae to transfer encrypted information between the unit and the smart card.  The user’s information is encrypted and transfers to the card when an administrator creates the account for the user.  To transfer the information between a smart card and an ACTAtek, a user simply places the card next to the keypad of the ACTAtek and the information is automatically transferred.

In select ACTAtek models internal Mifare Smart Card Readers/Writers are embedded behind the keypads of the units.  This allows for a smart card to be place near the keypad and have all the necessary information to be transferred from the card to the ACTAtek. The user’s information is encrypted and transfers to the card when an administrator creates the account for the user.  Of course, the administrator can always create a new card for a user.

Some of the ACTAtek’s administration is performed from an easy to use, menu-driven interface on the unit itself.  However, most of the ACTAtek’s functionality is accessed through a built-in web server.  The following are more detailed descriptions of each method:

In keeping with our commitment to make the ACTAtek as flexible as possible, 4 different levels of administration can be assigned to users.  Below is a brief description of these levels:

Each user in the ACTAtek can be assigned to one or more Access Groups.  Each of these Access Groups consists of one or more Access Rights.  These Access Rights determine when access will be granted by a specific ACTAtek unit or terminal.  Below is an example configuration:

The ACTAtek is a true TCP/IP network appliance.  It allows for both manual configuration of network settings and the use of DHCP.  Initial configuration is performed on ACTAteks administraton panel.  Once connected to the network, other network parameters, such as Network Time Protocol (NTP), can be configured via the ACTAtek’s web interface.  The chart below details the network functionality based on interface:

The ACTAtek system is designed to function as standalone unit or part of a network or ACTAteks.  When more than one unit is networked together, the units are part of a Primary / Secondary model.  This means that 1 unit acts as a master and subsequent units are connected, through the “Primary IP” option, as secondary devices.

The Primary unit coordinates the exchange of information between all the connected units.  Here is a list of the information that is shared:

Yes, with a few caveats: