Titan Security System Command & Control Software Series
The Titan Software was originally developed to communicate with an old hardware platform, but had to incorporate a new hardware platform that would operate seamlessly together. The software also had to be able to achieve enterprise level operation since it was being installed in a number of large prestigious corporations. This created the foundation for an open-architecture, data-driven application that can be easily adapted to work with virtually any access control / security platform.

FEATURE DESCRIPTIONS:

Customizable User Interface (Designed for OEM customization)
The Titan software application was developed as a plug-in management system. A complete API/SDK is available for programmers that would like to develop their own applications. The concept behind the plug-in management system is that it acts as a shell for the programmer making it easier for the programmer to create new plug-in applications. The plug-in management system handles all database connections and manages the launching and control of each application.
This process helps to significantly reduce the computer's memory and resource requirements since only one application is connecting to the database.

Additionally, more options are available for the user interface. Each application can be configured to launch in its own window allowing the window to be moved to another monitor. The application can be launched in a tab container allowing multiple applications to be running simultaneously. This allows the user to easily switch between them with a single mouse click. The third option is as a main window. The Titan application allocates the area below the menu as the main window. Plug-in applications can be launched in this window and then managed by the Titan application to minimize, maximize, or cascade the independent applications.

Three programs are included with the SDK. They are:

Add-on Manager - This application is used to add and configure each of the plug-in modules. Part of the operation of this application is also to build the dynamic menu for navigating the software system. Other features of this application are used to configure the look and feel for the plug-in module, how the application will be launched, and a number of other application specific attributes.

Data Connection Editor - This application is used to configure the database server connection(s). The Titan application is capable of sustaining multiple servers and database connections.

Desktop Properties Editor - This application is used to create the look and feel of the Titan application. It is used to edit the contents of the ¡°About¡± option in the Help menu for displaying copyright information and possibly contact information. It is fully editable to include company and/or product logos. This application also allows for setting up an automatic updates website interface that can be used to check for updates and then download and install automatically. There are also a number of other attributes that can be defined in the application.

Using the Plug-in management system's API/SDK is an excellent cost effective method to extend the Titan Security System by adding one¡¯s own applications, or it can be used along with other Titan modules, substantially reducing the time required for developing virtually any software application.

Open Architecture for Multiple Hardware Platform Integration
Another integral part of the customization capabilities of the Titan software architecture, and part of what makes the concept work, is that the software architecture is based on an open architecture, data driven design. The multi-tiered approach also allows simplified scalable systems that can start with a single computer, and advance to multi-server split system design with full redundancy.

The Titan software utilizes a triple tiered design:

The first tier is the device driver layer. Device drivers are created as separate applications. In most cases, these drivers are developed as windows services which allow the driver to run out-of-sight, and also allows the driver to be launched and operating even before the user has a need to log into the server. This design approach greatly improves the security of the system in that a system reboot can be automatically initiated if necessary, or initiated by anyone with physical access to the area, but there is no requirement for anyone to log onto the server for the drivers to start communicating with the hardware.

The second tier is the database layer. In most circumstances all information will be stored in the database. The database also acts as the go between the user and the hardware interface driver. The user inputs configuration information into the database and a table polled by the driver gets a message that the configuration has changed.

The message contains the information needed by the driver to collect the information from the database, format it so the hardware can understand it, then sends it to the hardware. Conversely, the hardware interface driver will collect events from the field equipment and post those events in the database. Certain applications in the user interface will poll those tables and display the event information for the user.

The third tier is the user interface. The user interface is designed with simplicity in mind to minimize the amount of time needed to commission, manage and administrate the system. One of the methods employed by RF Logics Inc is to ensure simplicity and almost every application interface uses the same screen structure. Another design concept is the data driven functionality. All device commands for the hardware are stored in the database and are typically accessed by the user by right-clicking on a device in any of the system monitoring screens; such as the Event Monitor, Status Viewer, or Map Display. Since all options for a device are data driven, new options can be added simply by adding the option text into the database. No programming is necessary at the User Interface level. This significantly reduces development time and allows for customization without substantial cost in development.

The new command gets passed to the database where the driver picks it up. So, only the driver will need to be modified to implement the new feature.

Global notification and control based on devices from any of the drivers.
In an integrated system one of the greatest strengths is the ability to watch for specific events and then take action based on that event. The WatchTrap editor is used for that purpose in the Titan system. The editor is designed with two types of users in mind. For the typical user, a point and click wizard-like interface is provided that allows the user to select the event criteria and optionally create a notification message. Another wizard-like interface is provided for the user to select the desired action or actions for that event. The options for these actions are:

• Send a control message to any of the system devices on any of the hardware platforms
• Send a serial message out through a com port to any serial devices such as intercom systems, camera switching systems, etc.
• Send a notification email containing the details of the event.

Two types of notification options are available. First is the Windows Notification option which is typically used by executives and administrations when there is an event that they want to be notified about; such as a specific person entering or leaving a defined area, or some high priority alarm; such as a high temperature alarm in a computer room. The second notification option is to send the message by email.

Both options use a user defined macro that allows the user to enter the information they desire along with variables that are filled in by the event message.

As mentioned above, the typical user has a simple and easy to use, wizard-like interface to create the WatchTrap records. However, a more free-form interface is available for a ¡°power user.¡± An API is available for users that want to have unlimited control in configuring complex, potentially multi-faceted conditions and/or actions. In this case, a Microsoft SQL (the programming language used by the database) query interface is provided. This interface, provided in the section below the initial wizard selections, allows the power user to further define the action of desired program.

For example, a typical user may create a WatchTrap that unlocks door when a specific user gets a valid access message from a card reader. A power user may extend that action by entering additional programming to only unlock the door by the specified card if the event occurs within a specific time frame and if it isn't a holiday.

API for Custom Report Development using the Titan Report Builder
One of the most powerful and unique features of the Titan system is its Reporting application. The standard report interface provides the user with a long list of standard reports. These reports are generally sufficient for the average user. However, there are times when a user wants reports that are tailored to his/her desired needs. This can be accomplished in one of two ways. RF Logics being an engineering company has engineers on staff that will quickly create the custom report(s).

The second option is to get the Report API. All the reports for the Titan system are based on views that have already taken any codes that are not¡¯t readily understood and changed them to plain readable text. The Report API provides the information needed by the user to create reports using these views and the Report Builder application.

When developing the reports, the Report Builder allows the user to run the report from within the development window and easily add or remove columns, reorder the columns, and add, remove or change filtering options. The interface also allows the user to implement any number of filter options based on any field in the view and control the sort order of the display.
Additionally, the report viewer also offers multiple export and print options.

The report viewer is also an open architecture interface allowing the user to select for any of the configured servers and/or databases. Using the Report Builder and having knowledge of the SQL database schema, a developer can create his/her own report list for any single or multiple SQL databases.

All reports are managed by the Operator Group and user log in. An administrator can grant or deny access to any report for any operator group. All viewing of reports are also logged in the history file. As an added security measure, the SQL script that generated the report is also logged.

Fault-Tolerance and Disaster Recovery
Through system designs such as the split system functionality, and using system redundancy software, the Titan system is protected against hardware and computer hardware failures. Another feature that leads to a more fault tolerance environment is RF Logics TitanArchiver application. This application starts automatically when the computer boots up, and can be configured to automatically backup the database, transactions files, and is also used to manage archiving of the history logs.

T2000 Edge four-reader IP controller
One of the newly introduced Titan hardware platforms is the Titan System 2000. This hardware platform is an access control platform that also provides additional intrusion points and relay controls. The device is a single board with an optional add-on daughter board. The base board provides door contacts, exit switches, door strikes, and alarm relays for two doors with entry and exit readers. Adding the option IO board allows for 2, 3, or 4 door options.

The T2000 IP Controller can communicate with the host computer via RS-232, RS-485, or TCP/IP communication options. When using TCP/IP, a utility is provided that automatically searches for the controller and allows the technician to remotely configure the IP address and other connection parameters. The T2000 IP Controller can also act as a gateway connecting to other T2000 IP Controllers via RS-485. This helps to reduce the number of network drops and IP addresses needed, thereby creating more efficient and cost effective system.

TCP/IP based Fiber Fence System
RF Logics is proud to announce that it has now provided a native communication interface to the Fiber Sensys Fiber Defender Alarm Processors. RF Logics is the first in the industry to integrate with Fiber Sensys using a communication protocol that provides communications and operational status of the devices as well as alarm messages. The Titan system is also used for configuring the devices which eliminates the need to connect the device serially for initial configuration. This method of communications is also more cost effective since not other equipment is required to interface the units.

Interactive Graphical Mapping
The graphical map feature with the Titan system allows the user to save CAD or Visio drawing as bmp or jpg files and add these images into the mapping system. The map editor allows the user to nest maps within maps so that the user can start at a high level display of the sites or facility and then drill down to a specific location. The sub-maps are displayed on the maps with a semi-transparent image. That image will flash and change to red when any device associated to its assigned map goes into alarm.

Icons are easily dragged onto the map and configured. The icons can be configured to provide animation, they can be sized, and they can be rotated. In addition to icons that represent devices which are in a single location, a line vector can be drawn onto the map. This advanced feature is extremely advantageous when displaying fence lines. The fence line can be created using multiple segments to accommodate irregular lines and all segments can be assigned to the same point. When the fence alarm is received, the line(s) will flash red.

The mapping feature also provides advanced information and interactivity for the user. A user can click on any icon and control that device from the map display. The user can also click on a device such as a card reader and immediately get a history report on that reader's transactions.

This provides an excellent, fast and effective way to determine if someone may be located within a specific area, or who has been through that area recently. It is also useful as a quick way to get a history on any intrusion devices.

Menu management and application security based on logged in operator
Simplicity and efficiency are always at the forefront when developing applications for Titan. By simplifying the user interface for operators system administrators can shave off valuable time in training. The Titan system uses Operator Groups to create lists of applications that each individual system user will need. Using this approach allows the user logging onto the system to see only the menu options for the applications to which he/she has access. In this way, the card data entry operator may only have access to the applications he/she would use; such as the Cardholder Editor, Access Groups Editor, Time Zones, and Reports. The console operator may only have access to the Event Monitor, Status Viewer, and Map Display.
The system adjusts its display and capabilities based on the user currently logged in. In this manner, the user can log into Titan on any computer on the system, and his/her capabilities follow to that computer.

Applications can also have special features associated with them. The special features can also be tailored for each Operator Group. This provides the user with simple and efficient, yet very powerful application.

Quick simplified system commissioning.
With the Titan system, a technician will never have to wonder how many alarm points or relays are on a controller, nor will he/she needs to worry about difficult address mapping issues. The Titan system is designed to remove all of those headaches. Rather than having to add each individual alarm point, relay, or reader, the Titan system knows what the capabilities are for each board that is added, and it automatically adds all the components with the proper address mapping and associations. In the development of the hardware platform, RF Logics Engineers work closely with the Integrators to determine what the best default values are for each device and then program those values to be used when a new device is added.

The design implementation that makes this concept so desirable is that the Titan system also does not present the user with hundreds or even thousands of unneeded devices to deal with. The list display of devices is limited to only those devices that are enabled. If a new device is needed, two mouse clicks are all it takes to enable it.

Audit information displayed on screen
Each record in the Titan system shows Audit information about the last time that record was changed and by whom, right on the screen.

Control and monitor of areas with anti-passback
Each access control hardware platform currently integrated into the Titan system has its own method of anti-passback, but both of the current platforms support APB. The different methods supported are:

• Hard APB - Once a cardholder is logged into an area, he/she cannot come back into that area until he/she has logged out.
• Soft APB - Once a cardholder is logged into an area, he/she can come back into that area without logging out, but a special anti-passback violation event will be generated and logged at the host computer.
• Timed APB - Timed APB is widely used with turnstiles entering a complex. This method allows a cardholder to log into the area, but he/she cannot log back into that area for a period of time. This alleviates the need for separate IN and OUT readers.
• Schedule based APB Override - The Titan system offers an option of all platforms to use a scheduled APB Override feature. Using this method, the administrator can define a time period (8am to 5pm for example) in which APB violations will be logged, but the computer will override them and open the door anyway.

Advanced Management of Intrusion Detection Systems
Each hardware platform has different methods for handling the Intrusion points on the system, but all platforms allow for:

• Assigning separate WAV files to the Alarm and Clear events of an alarm point, allowing for auditory annunciation of the event.
• Assignment of an Instruction list that notifies the guard/console operator as to how he/she should handle an event and who should be notified.
• The ability to configure an alarm point as either normally open or normally closed.
• Assign a priority to each alarm point with priorities 1-5 causing an incident report form to be displayed and completed before the event can be acknowledged.
• Scheduled shunting of alarm points.
• Advanced configuration options for points.

Schedule based Cardholder trace
In certain cases or situations, it may be desirable to keep an eye on specific cardholders. The cardholder trace feature causes any uses of that card to generate an event that requires acknowledgment. This feature is made even more valuable in doing card trace and it can be controlled on a reader by reader basis by using a time schedule. In this manner, some readers may not report the card trace at all, some may report the trace always, and yet other readers may only report the trace events during specified times.

Easily and quickly control security objects directly from the monitoring station, status display or from graphical -based maps
By using the data driven approach of defining and managing devices, an operator or guard can right-click on a device from any of the system interface applications and execute commands against that device. Each device in the system knows what hardware driver it is associated with, what type of device it is, and what capabilities it has, and based on that, it will display the correct list of commands for any right-click action.

In order to provide the most simplified, powerful, yet secure system possible, Titan also allows the system administrator to control what command each operator can see and execute via the Operator Groups definition.

Muster and Area Reporting
During a crisis such as a fire or terrorist action, one of the greatest concerns of an organization is to be able to identify the location of the people for which they are responsible. The design of the Titan software makes this possible on multiple levels. First, by assigning area codes to each reader, the system will mark that code on the cardholder¡¯s record when he/she uses the reader. This allows the user to create a report at that point in time and will show what cardholders are in what areas.
Muster makes uses of this feature by defining specific readers as muster points, and in the case of a crisis, all cardholders congregate at those locations and present his/her card on arrival. The muster reports can then be used to show who is at which of the muster locations and, perhaps more importantly, list the cardholders that have not made it to a muster location.

Easily create, assign, and print sophisticated badges
The Titan Badge Editor provides the user with a simple yet powerful method to create badges for printing and assigning the cardholders.

The user interface is a simple drag and drop interface with a What You See Is What You Get (WYSISYG) output. Using one of the existing cardholder records, the user can create a badge using logos, cardholder photos, static text, barcodes, background colors, and database text to quickly create badges that can be assigned to each of the cardholders.
Once a badge is assigned, a preview of the badge with all the cardholder specific information will be displayed in the cardholder editor. To print the badge, simply click on the Print button.

Cardholder Dossier Reports
Cardholder dossier reports are an excellent addition to any organization's human resource files. The report is a printout that shows a picture of the cardholder and list the information associated to the cardholder's record. This report can have many other uses.

Assign unlimited badges to a cardholder
In growing organizations, it not unusual with merges, multiple access control systems, and ongoing organizational changes for cardholders to have to carry multiple badges. The Titan system makes this situation easy to manage by separating the badge information from the cardholder information and only creating a single record for the cardholder, but providing a list of badges for that cardholder that can each be individually managed and configured.

Import personnel information, including operator groups and/or access groups, from ODBC-based data sources for synchronization of databases with SQL Standard or higher
In growing organizations, it not unusual with merges, multiple access control systems, and ongoing organizational changes for cardholders to have to carry multiple badges. The Titan system makes this situation easy to manage by separating the badge information from the cardholder information and only creating a single record for the cardholder, but providing a list of badges for that cardholder that can each be individually managed and configured.

Simple TWAIN device interface for capturing user photos
The Cardholder Editor provides the simplest possible interface for getting cardholder photos and storing them in the database. By using the industry standard TWAIN interface, almost any camera that can be connected to a computer and can be used for taking high quality pictures. No manner how tight the corporate budget, there is a camera solution that will work. This feature is a WYSIWYG output.

Assign up to eight Access Groups to each cardholder
The design of the Titan software creates an amazingly simple yet extremely powerful system for handling Access Group assignments. There are two features of the access groups that particularly noteworthy.
First, when an access group is created, it is created for all hardware platforms, and once assigned to the cardholder, the system will automatically handles the reader access across the different hardware platforms.
Secondly, in order to minimize the number to access groups that may need to be created and to simplify the assignment of access groups, each cardholder can be assigned up to eight access groups.

Photo Import/Export
From the cardholder editor, the user can quickly export a cardholder's photo to a jpg file, or he/she can use a standard file browser interface to quickly browse to a jpg file to import. This can be a major time saving feature when photos have already been taken by another system, and are already available.
Bulk import/export utilities are available.

Advanced Threat management allows for quickly locking down areas while still allowing emergency personal access
The threat of an armed intrusion into our schools and work places has become a reality that must be faced and dealt with. The Titan system addresses that threat with an advanced LockDown feature. This feature allows the system administrator or other authorized person to create LockDown groups of controllers. The readers in these controllers can be selected to participate in the LockDown or can be excluded. When a threat is identified, the console operator need to simply select the predefined LockDown group from a drop-down list in the Event Monitor screen and a broadcast message will be sent out to those controllers to go into LockDown mode.

When in LockDown mode no one has access through the reader unless that cardholder's record is flagged as having VIP Override privileges. In this manner, buildings, rooms, or entire facilities can be quickly locked down with only authorized emergency personal being allowed to move freely through the facility in the event of a hostile action. Once the threat is removed the console operator need only to select the LockDown group from the list and the system returns to Normal access.

Special Events Scheduler
For regularly scheduled events, such as unlocking a reader controlled door Monday through Friday, 6AM to 7PM, the user can create a time schedule and assign it to a reader. For many organizations the need exists to have the ability to schedule events that may not be so regular. For example, there may be a meeting room that is controlled by card reader and a special event has been scheduled that will include outside visitors. This reader needs to be unlocked during this period of time.

The Titan Special Events Scheduler looks much like a typical monthly display of a Microsoft Outlook calendar. The user need to simply click on the day the event is to occur and add the event. The user then sets the starting time, the ending time, and selects the reader to manage. Events can be defined as far into the future as the user would like. When the day and time arrives, the Titan system will handle the rest.

Competitive advantages:
One of the overwhelming factors in giving RF Logics products an advantage over the competition is the quality of the products. All of the products carried by RF Logics have the best warranties in the industry, and a long line of satisfied customer to attest to the quality and longevity of each of the products. The technicians at RF Logic, rather than spending time on the phone with customers fixing problems, spend their time testing and retesting the products.

Another major competitive advantage is the RF Logics is the sole provider of a complete system solution. Most of the system based competitors cannot boast that they have an end to end solution from the card all the way to the host computer. This is a major plus from the customer's perspective since it gives them a single source for problem resolution. No more finger pointing between manufacturers trying to determine why one product isn't working correctly with another.

A third factor is the uniqueness of some of the products, such as the XAD and the Titan software. The XAD is a one of a kind Access Control DVR. System Integrators no longer need to assemble and test multiple products and try to find a way to get the different products to communicate and then plead with software providers to offer features for the integrated products. With the XAD there is only one computer to install, one system to configure, one platform on with to train staff and customers, and one phone call to make with any questions.

The Titan software also provides a number of unique features that separate it from the competition. The most notable of these features are:

• It's an open architecture that allows for multiple driver integrated and unification of different hardware platforms.
• The data driven design for communicating with the hardware drivers, which eliminates additional programming of core components, simplifies the implementation of a new hardware driver.
• The module based approach for all the applications that allows complete customization of functionality, and a much greater security over the operator's capabilities.
• The way it lends itself to customization, without having to create custom applications, makes it easier for the customer to maintain and upgrade.

In addition to providing niche products, products with unique feature sets, and the highest product quality, RF Logics is able to do this at competitive prices. In most cases RFL's prices are less expensive than the competitions. That is because of our strategic relationships with our suppliers. We are able to cut out the middlemen and purchase direct from the manufacturer at discounted prices.