ComNet getting into access control market

DANBURY, Conn.—ComNet, Communication Networks of Danbury, a manufacturer of transmission and networking equipment based here, recently announced its entry into the access control marketplace, the company's first big move since joining the ACRE family of companies back in December of 2016.

ComNet is introducing two systems, the CNA100 line, a 2- to 8 door solution for smaller applications and the CNA200 for up to 32 doors for bigger applications; both are network compatible and operate seamlessly with any ComNet IP product. ComNet is working closely with sister company Vanderbilt, which manufactured the access control systems under the lite blue and bright blue brand names, and looks to provide greater distribution and brand awareness for the products in North America.

“Vanderbilt has this line of access control products, which was a good mover for them, but not a great mover, and ComNet has a better relationship with all of the big distributors, so they asked us to take the product line on and we are excited about the opportunity,” Skip Haight, ComNet VP of marketing told Security Systems News. “ComNet also has all of the transmission technologies covered, and with the percentage of the communication product market ComNet now controls we have access to a lot of people and feel we can move a lot of systems. And many of our manufacturers' reps have sold access control in the past and need an access control line, so we feel this is perfect for them.”

“We've spent a lot of time and effort focusing on the next step in the ComNet growth cycle,” Andrew Acquarulo Jr., ComNet CEO and president, said in the announcement. “We were looking for a natural extension of the business. Now that ComNet has been acquired by ACRE, we were able to source a quality product and it gave us a huge advantage in gaining an access control product line that has a great appeal.”

The CNAccess line utilizes embedded intelligence and does not require special software or a dedicated PC, which allows users the flexibility to manage a system from any location with Internet access. Both products support standard Wiegand devices, Schlage AD Series electronic locks, and various card formats and technologies such as proximity, smart card, magnetic stripe and Bluetooth. The CNA100 can be easily upgraded to the capacity of the CNA200 with a simple software upgrade. The CNAcccess line will also include a complimentary line of reader interface products, proximity readers, power supplies and accessories.

“The CNAccess line represents ComNet's decision to package a quality access control product with an application specific communication solution tailored directly to our customers' needs. It is a major undertaking, but we believe there is a great need for these products,” said Haight. “Adding the CNAccess line will differentiate ComNet from other manufacturers and creates significant value for the user.”

In addition to access control, the company will continue to introduce new products this year.

“The bulk of our engineering and new product introductions are going to be focused around IP-based stuff,” said Haight. “We also came out with the first U.S.-based designed and built managed Ethernet switches, which hit the market the first of the year, and we are going to expand those product lines so you will see bigger switches, different port count combinations, different POE options. You will see a lot of that stuff coming from us—and more domestically manufactured product—as manufacturing in the states gives us a huge advantage.”