ISONAS PowerNet IP access control system helps manage visitors and tenants access at Flowers Crossing community

Along with PowerNet, the system installed at community also includes ControlByNet’s iFlashback remote IP video surveillance

Located in Gwinnett County, Georgia, the community of Flowers Crossing is situated in the town of Lawrenceville, approximately 30 miles northeast of Atlanta. This large suburban community contains almost 550 homes with multiple recreational facilities, including swimming pools, playgrounds, tennis courts, a community clubhouse, and many beautifully landscaped arbour areas.

In early 2009, the Board of Directors of the Flowers Crossing Homeowners Association decided to address several issues concerning visitors (both welcome and unwelcome) to their community. The basic need for new security and tracking measures arose due to an increase in illegal trespassing and incidents of vandalism, theft, and underage drinking, as well as occasional occurrences of illegal drug use primarily from outside groups of teenagers. The community’s residents understandably desired better management of visitor access to make sure that only invited guests are welcomed into the area, while un-invited visitors are treated appropriately and illegal activities are curtailed and controlled.

System consists of video surveillance and access control devices

The Homeowners Association Board decided to take action with the installation of a security system consisting of both video surveillance cameras and access control devices. They chose a local security system solution provider, ControlByNet of Norcross, Georgia, to design and install a system that met a number of criteria important to the management of the community. Desired characteristics of the new system included the lack of a requirement for HOA personnel to manage and maintain the new system. Likewise it was determined that if it were possible for the new system to be hosted remotely there would be no opportunity for the new system’s server/computer to be stolen or vandalised. The potential for remote locking and unlocking of specific access areas for attendees at community hosted special events was desired as was remote “buzz-in” for guests.

If additional incidents of illegal entries were to occur, the ability to remotely identify and track such events for prosecution purposes was also desired. And, as an added benefit, the Board hoped it would be possible to provide temporary access codes and/or access credentials for lifeguards and other persons who need entrance privileges to specific areas for a limited time.

Ability to control key access points

All of these criteria and more were met with the system installed that includes ControlByNet’s Internet Protocol-based iFlashback remote video surveillance system and the ISONAS PowerNet™ IP access control system, all integrated on a single server platform and monitored by the ControlByNet company.

According to Board member Lance Graves, “The ISONAS IP-based readers have enabled us to control key access points to our community recreation areas without requiring us to store computers in the pool pump rooms.” In addition, “The remote hosted ability allows us as homeowners, board members or business owners to concentrate on the business at hand.”