Granta Compact stand-alone access control system Bewator Cotag delivers impressive looks and performance
What our experts say …

Bewator Cotag products are highly regarded by installers of access control, as the equipment is always of a very high standard in both build quality and features. The bench test team has been looking at a combination of new and existing products from the company.

On test is the Bewator Cotag 4010 controller together with various reader heads, including two brand new products, the SM501 smartcard reader, and the SM501K smartcard reader including PIN entry.

These readers incorporate contactless smartcard technology with Mifare smartcards, enabling integration between access control functions and other smartcard functions such as cashless vending.

Bewator Cotag has been appointed a value-added reseller by Gemplus which supplies the electronic reading heads. The Mifare technology is rapidly emerging as the de-facto standard for cards and readers, and means that one card can be used for many functions, including time and attendance, vending and library cards.

4010 controller

The heart of any access system is the controller. The 4010 controller is capable of interfacing with many of the company's card readers. It is available in several different models, processing data from Wiegand or magnetic stripe readers, plus Cotag's RF antenna system for vehicle control and similar situations.

The controllers can be configured for master/slave operation to control a maximum of 16 doors, and the system is capable of interfacing with Bewator Cotag's Granta-for-Windows software via its RS232 port. This can be on site, or remote using a modem and PSTN telephone line.

The test team considered that the 4010 controller is one of the most impressive looking units we have ever seen. The steel box has a hinged lid and is finished with a grey and cream crackle effect. The lid is secured with a sturdy key lock, and the version we tested has an onboard keypad and LCD display for programming.

Inside, the PCBs are superbly manufactured, with plug-on connections making wiring or replacing boards extremely simple. The motherboard is mounted on a plated steel carrier, hinged at the top and secured by a captive screw at the base.

This allows easy access to the mains power supply unit underneath, also providing a safe working environment for engineers while the system is powered up. The SM 500 series contactless smartcard readers are available with or without on-board keypads, designed to read the codes contained in Mifare smartcards and pass these codes to the host system. Using jumper settings on the reader PCB, each reader can be configured to read one of three areas of data contained on the smartcard, these being the chip serial number on any Mifare card, Girovend information only from any Girovend card, or Cotag information from any Cotag card.

The SM501K bench tested by the team was the version with an on-board keypad, enabling card or card plus PIN number operation. Housed in a grey two-piece ABS moulding measuring 120 x 120 x 28.5mm, again the team was impressed by the build quality of the unit. To ensure ease of installation the cables are terminated on a block fixed to the backplate, with interlocking pin connectors mounted on the front cover, which contains the twin PCBs. The keys feel robust, with a positive action. Above the keypad are three LEDs, red, amber and green, which can be configured to indicate differing functions.

090 reading head

Also included with the equipment supplied for test was the 090 card reading head, a small grey ABS unit measuring 40 x 80 x 13mm, making it suitable for mullion mounting. The self- adhesive front cover is fitted after the unit is connected and mounted, to hide the fixing screws. Again of neat appearance, the front face has two LEDs, red and green, which are also configurable. Reading distance is between 150 and 300mm, depending on mounting surface.

Care is required when terminating connections so as not to short circuit the system with whiskers, due to the compact size of the unit and its terminating screws.

The test team also looked at the Cotag 280 card reading head, which was probably the most used reader until the introduction of the new smartcard reader. Measuring 260 x 220 x 25mm, it matches the design of the 090 reader, again of grey ABS construction, this time with a cream ABS front cover.

The main features of this reader are its reading distance, typically 900mm, allowing hands free operation, plus its ability to read tags in any orientation and direction.

System programming

We found the sheer volume of information supplied with the units to be slightly overwhelming. To install and programme the system took us quite some time, as we had to refer to different parts of the manuals for the controller and the smart card reader.

This is perhaps inevitable where a new product is integrated into an existing system, but Bewator Cotag will need to incorporate the information into a single document before setting up the system becomes easy.

That said we found the company to be very helpful in enabling us to get to grips with a complex product.

Once running correctly we found the addition and removal of cards simple, and the comprehensive operator's manual covers all eventualities including access levels, anti-passback, holidays and time frames etc. The system performed well and was perfectly reliable. Card reading distances were within the parameters stated by Bewator Cotag.

We decided to attempt to create an electrically noisy environment in order to disrupt the RF card readers, but once again the system continued to function perfectly, despite the immediate proximity of a very sparky electric motor.

What the manufacturer says ...

Granta-Compact provides a cost-effective stand-alone system for one to 16 doors. Ideal for smaller businesses, it is especially suitable where there may be a need for future expansion. A keypad and display provide easy setting up and cardholder management. The system uses 4010 controllers, which have an integral power supply with extra power capacity for door locks.

They are available for use with the full range of Cotag hands-free, proximity and smartcards and readers or with industry standard Wiegand or magnetic stripe cards and readers.

The system has been designed with the needs of the installer and user in mind:

  • Easy to use: The display and keypad provide a simple menu structure, which prompts the user to enter all the information needed. Wizards help the installer set up the system in a few minutes.

  • Cost-effective: The system architecture gives economical configurations for sizes between one and 16 doors: you choose what you need. The integral power supply reduces equipment costs/installation time.

  • Easy to expand: The standard controller is configured for one or two readers and can be expanded to four. Up to three further controllers can be connected to the master for up to 16 readers. The system can be expanded almost indefinitely by going on-line using Granta 4 Software.

  • Reliable: Well established and fully proven technology combined with our ISO9000 manufacturing ensure 100 per cent tested, safe and reliable product.

The addition of the SM500 range of smartcards and readers for use with Granta-Compact or any access control system from any manufacturer provides an opportunity to integrate access control with other applications using Mifare contactless smartcards.

More companies are now looking for the efficiency, cost saving and convenience to staff of a one-card solution for all their ID requirements. Many applications can now easily be added to the capabilities of one card. The SM501 reader (or SM501K with integral PINpad) can read data from these cards in a choice of formats to suit the overall requirements of the user.

Overall assessment

The Bewator Cotag Granta Compact system is a modular access control solution that can be expanded as the need arises. It can control between one and 16 doors, is capable of operating remotely via a modem connection, and can be linked to a computer using Windows software. The new smartcard readers are compatible with cards issued by third parties (using the Mifare standard), and are ideal for OEM development by manufacturers wishing to incorporate this technology. At around £819 per door, the product sits in the mid range for access control systems with similar capabilities.