City of Großenhain Introduces Access Control

HR & Organization Department of Großenhain City Administration Gains Efficiency with New Access Control System. Since introducing a new access control system from Interflex, the HR and Organization department of the Großenhain city administration has been working much more efficiently. Interflex not only customized the software IF-6020 to meet the specific needs of the town hall, but also provided the hardware for access control, tailored precisely to all entry points. As a result, the time-consuming distribution and management of more than 100 keys is no longer necessary. HR staff can assign access rights directly in the software.

The current version IF-6020 includes an integrated web client with workflow management. The external doors of Großenhain’s town hall are equipped with the access control terminal IF 800 and two time recording terminals IF-5735 from Interflex. During a consultation with Tobias Franke, the long-standing account manager at Interflex, the city administration shared a new requirement. The internal locking system of the building, constructed in 1875 and 1876, no longer met modern standards and needed to be completely replaced. In addition, the new access control system was intended to separate the city administration’s offices from other areas of the building, including the Großenhain Information Center, a self-service area of Sparkasse Meissen, and various advisory services offered at the town hall.

Time Recording and Access Control in One System

During the meeting, a spontaneous discussion emerged about the city’s specific requirements. This quickly led to a conversation about possible solutions in collaboration with Interflex. Since the city administration was already using Interflex’s time recording system, it made sense to expand it with suitable components for access control. Further discussions revealed that an integrated solution with all components would be the most efficient for future operations. For example, employees and service providers could access the building using a single multifunctional ID card. The HR department could assign access rights as needed. This made it easy to separate access zones across different departments and offices within the town hall.

Access control was also ensured for semi-public areas used by citizens and for protected zones such as cleaning supply rooms where chemicals are stored. The previously issued keys, tracked manually via handwritten lists, became obsolete. In case of loss, the new system offered enhanced security. While a lost key’s whereabouts typically remain unknown, a lost multifunctional card can be immediately deactivated by HR. Even if it falls into unauthorized hands, it won’t grant access to secure areas. After a thorough analysis, the city administration decided to work with Interflex specialists to develop a tailored solution and begin implementation right away.

Online and Offline Access Control

The city administration decided to secure all interior doors and replace the old mechanical locking system with an offline access control solution using electronic cylinders. For this purpose, they chose the electronic cylinder IF-181. Since this technology was new to the town hall, the account manager first presented its features to the city officials. Thanks to battery operation, the electronic cylinders can be installed anywhere without the need for wiring or power supply. They replace mechanical keys by evaluating access rights and allowing only authorized individuals to unlock doors using an RFID-enabled medium.
Authorized employees simply hold their credit card-sized multifunctional ID card near the cylinder. Once access is granted, they can turn the cylinder and open the door.

Free Trial at the Town Hall

To demonstrate the benefits of the electronic cylinders to the city administration, Interflex initially delivered and installed a selection of free E-cylinders for extensive testing at the town hall. After all, the existing locking system included 115 mechanical cylinders that needed to be replaced with IF 181 electronic cylinders. To provide the correct cylinder type for each door, measurements had to be taken at every door. At the same time, the city administration aimed to keep installation and setup costs as low as possible.

E-cylinder IF-181 Replaces Mechanical Keys

The E-cylinders convinced the Großenhain city administration, and preparations for installation began immediately after the test phase. An Interflex team took measurements at all doors, eliminating the need for additional external service providers. Depending on the type of doorway, the appropriate models were selected, including double cylinders that book on one side and are coupled to a specific area, as well as half cylinders and anti-panic cylinders that book on one side and open freely. Installation required no complex work, so the existing mechanical cylinders inside the town hall could be replaced quickly and easily with the new E-cylinders. To keep costs low, Interflex trained city staff so they could install and activate the cylinders independently.

Connection to Software via NetworkOnCard

The locking cylinders used in the town hall support the widely adopted NetworkOnCard format, combining proven mechanical design with long battery life. NetworkOnCard links online components with offline access control. Access rights can be assigned a daily validity, ensuring security even if a card is lost. Additionally, a blocking list card can be used to inform the E-cylinders that a specific card number should no longer be granted access. Since the external entrances to the town hall are equipped with online readers, unauthorized access is also prevented there.

The locking cylinders integrate seamlessly into existing systems - in this case, into the time recording and access control system IF-6020. Employees who book at the electronic locks carry their booking rights on their ID card, which is read directly at the access point. When the E-cylinder is used, it checks whether the card contains the appropriate access rights. It then either denies or grants access. During the booking process, the E-cylinder also writes status updates to the card, such as battery level. This status is automatically transmitted to the Interflex software the next time the card is used at an online terminal. This allows the administrator to receive timely information about which E-cylinder requires a battery change. The system includes three battery warning levels, making it easy to plan maintenance in advance. The city administration also uses the Pegasys-Mobil admin tool, allowing the responsible administrator to manage individual E-cylinders via laptop and NFC reader.

Improved Security and Simplified Administration

After the new access control system from Interflex was put into operation, the city administration was able to withdraw nearly all previously issued keys. This significantly reduced the security risks associated with lost keys. Another major benefit is the simplified administration by the HR department. Previously, issuing keys involved a potentially confusing and time-consuming process. Now, access rights can be assigned quickly and easily via software. This includes interns and trainees with limited access, as well as external service providers such as cleaning staff, who are only granted access to authorized areas. In addition to time recording and access control, the city administration also manages access to office copiers using employees’ multifunctional ID cards. After becoming familiar with the system, staff have embraced it, and it has proven highly effective in daily use, saving time for everyone involved while significantly improving security standards.