Introduction

A chemical manufacturing plant in Tennessee needed a faster, more reliable way to verify who was on site and account for employees, contractors, and visitors during an emergency.

The plant already relied on Genetec Security Center for access control across its facility. Rather than replace that existing investment or add a second disconnected system, the site deployed seventeen (17) XPressEntry handheld readers to extend its capabilities with emergency mustering, mobile badge validation, and entry / exit tracking.

Challenges

At a chemical manufacturing facility, quickly accounting for personnel is essential during an evacuation or other emergency. The plant’s manual headcounts and radio check-ins were time-consuming and vulnerable to errors, particularly as employees, contractors, and visitors moved among shifts, gates, buildings, and designated work zones.

The plant also needed a more flexible way to validate badges and record entry and exit activity across a large industrial footprint. Fixed readers were effective at established access points but could not easily be moved to temporary entrances, remote gates, alternate muster locations, or other areas where verification was needed.

Any new solution had to integrate with the Genetec Security Center environment already in place. Leadership wanted to continue using existing credentials, avoid a separate enrollment process, and give security and safety teams better visibility into recorded site and zone occupancy during routine operations and emergencies.

Solution

The plant deployed 17 XPressEntry handheld readers integrated with the Synergis™ access control system within its existing Genetec Security Center environment.

XPressEntry synchronizes relevant credential and access control information, allowing employees and contractors to continue using their existing badges without receiving new credentials or completing a separate enrollment process.

Because the readers are handheld, they are not permanently tied to a single door or gate. Security and safety personnel can deploy them at entrances, remote access points, designated work zones, or muster locations based on operational needs.

During drills or emergencies, personnel scan their badges at designated muster points. Each scan updates each connected XPressEntry handheld device and XPressEntry Server / Web Console, giving authorized teams a real-time view of who has been accounted for and who remains unaccounted for.

Outside of emergency use, the same readers support mobile badge validation and entry/exit tracking across the facility. This gives the plant a record of activity at monitored gates, entrances, exits, and zones without requiring fixed hardware at every location.

Operational Benefits

By deploying XPressEntry alongside Genetec Security Center, the plant gained:

• Faster personnel accountability during drills and emergencies
• Real-time visibility into accounted-for and unaccounted-for personnel
• Mobile badge validation at gates, entrances, work areas, and muster points
• Entry/exit and zone tracking based on recorded badge activity
• Reduced dependence on manual headcounts and radio check-ins
• Continued use of credentials already managed through Genetec Security Center
• Flexible coverage across the facility using 17 deployable handheld readers
• The ability to move readers to alternate muster points or temporary access locations as conditions change

 

Conclusion

By integrating XPressEntry with its existing Genetec Security Center environment, the plant expanded its access control and emergency accountability capabilities without replacing established infrastructure or issuing new credentials.

The deployment gives security and safety teams a flexible way to validate badges, record personnel movement at monitored points, and account for people quickly during routine operations, drills, and emergencies.

Why Organizations Choose XPressEntry: 

XPressEntry handheld and fixed badge readers continue to lead the industry with:

• The most access control integrations
• Broad support for RFID badges, biometrics, and mobile credentials
• The first handheld badge reader running Android 15 for enhanced security
• Rugged handheld options designed for demanding security and safety environments

 

CONTACT US to learn how XPressEntry can enhance your operations.