If you are in the process of updating your home’s or business’s security system or if you never had such a system and you are planning to invest in one, there are probably a lot of industry terms you don’t understand very well. That is why, in this article, we are going to talk about two important parts of any security access system, the proximity card and the proximity reader.

Proximity cards, also referred to as prox cards, are different than the magnetic stripe cards, because they do not need to be inserted into the reader device to grant access in the secured area. We say “grant access” because the majority of proximity cards and proximity readers are used as a part of home or business security system. Other uses include library cards, contactless payment systems or in public transit fare. Proximity cards are practical due to the fact that they can easily be read through a wallet or a purse.

There are two main types of proximity cards: passive and active. Passive prox cards have a limited range and are widely used to grant access in office buildings. Active cards, also called vicinity cards, have a greater range (150 meters), due to the fact that they use and internal lithium battery. They can be used to easily access courtyards from inside of a vehicle or from automated toll collection.

Now, in case you were wondering “What is a Proximity Reader?” they are devices that can store details about the identity of the cards holders, granting them access to otherwise restricted areas. This system is similar to the “chip and PIN” bank cards, with the difference that the proximity reader grants access using radio frequencies and does not need actual insertion of the card. Also, they offer more security to their holders, due to the fact that they are harder to copy. Another great advantage of these readers is the fact that they are quite sturdy and do not need any maintenance.

Another term you might encounter when browsing for this type of access system in “Contactless Smart Card”, which is basically the same thing, with the difference that they use advanced methods of data encryption and authentication, meaning that they offer a higher level of security. Besides this general information, there are various technologies that are used in the manufacture of proximity cards and readers.

If you are planning to invest in such a system, you must know that the prices are very different from one product to another. For example, the price for a single card ranges from $2 to $200, while for the proximity reader you can pay from $100 to $400.

Before making any purchase, we advise you to ask the advice of an experienced security technician, just to make sure that you choose the right system for your needs. The good news is that the majority of shops, even online ones, have an assistant which can help you make the right decision.

Pongee Industries Co., Ltd. is the manufacturer of proximity reader. If you are looking for the best proximity reader, don’t miss Pongee’s website, we can offer clients kinds of high quality products. Contact with Pongee to obtain further product information!

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