Demand for access control readers for the blind and partially sighted and those with restricted manual dexterity will drive demand in the access control market, predicts a new report.
The final rights of access within the Disability Discrimination Act, come into force in October of this year, and this, coupled with opportunities in the education sector, will create more business, says the report from industry analyst, Key Note.

It predicts an upturn for the sector which "has done little more than keep abreast of inflation for the past two years" and predicts annual growth to run at between three and four per cent for the next four years.

High levels of crime and the threat from international terrorism are encouraging the upgrading of existing access control systems. Some customers are choosing smart card systems in the belief that they will future proof a system by allowing additional information to be added at a later date.

Growth is expected to be largely from public sector and non-housing projects "but prospects for building work in the commercial and industrial sectors are not favourable". Falling demand for new industrial buildings and a slowing of the UK's economic growth have reduced the demand.

The report, however, predicts a "catching-up effect" as property owners seek to upgrade and expand their existing installations and adopt access control for under protected sites.

* Access Control Market Report 2004 is available from Key Note on 020 8481 8751 priced £380.