The ZKTeco Atlas Series is an incredible access control system. If this is your first time ever installing Access Control, or if you're a seasoned AC pro, you can't go wrong with ZKTeco. The Atlas panels have a ton of features which really set them apart from the AC pack, and we'll take a look at those features here in just a bit. But first, if you're wondering what access control is or why you need it, you may want to check out this blog post. If you'd rather watch our review of the ZKTeco Atlas Series, click below to view our video.

ZKTeco Atlas: The Perfect Starter Access Control System

We can't recommend the ZKTeco Atlas Series enough. If you've been installing access control your whole life, you will love these panels and their many features. However, we also think this is the best access control system for beginners thanks to its power, simplicity, and flexibility.

The Atlas Series comes in two different product lines: the Atlas Prox and the Atlas Bio. Both have similar features and capabilities. The only difference is that the Atlas Bio line supports biometrics.

ZKTeco Atlas400-4 Door Kit: Complete Four Door Access Control Kit Capable of Using Weigand and OSDP Readers - Supports POE power and Wi-Fi

ZKTeco Atlas460-4 Complete Biometric 4 Door Access Control Kit Capable of Using Weigand and OSDP Readers - Supports PoE Power and Wi-Fi

Have you ever wanted to scan your fingerprint to gain access to a restricted area? Yes, this makes you look cool and feel important. But it's also a much more safer method of access control. After all, despite what you see in the movies, it's difficult for someone to steal a fingerprint and trick the access controller. This is called biometrics. So if you want fingerprint scanning, you'll have to go with the Atlas Bio Line.

If you'd rather stick to the essentials—basic proximity readers, proximity cards and keyfobs, simple push-to-exit buttons—then the Prox Line is for you.

Other than that, these two boards have the same features, they use the same interface, and do the same things. So everything in the rest of this post applies to both the Atlas Prox and the Atlas Bio lines.

Here are the top four reasons why the ZKTeco Atlas Series is the best access control system for beginners and pros alike.

• Simple & Flexible Installation
• Built-In Web Interface
• Companion Mobile App
• Price Point

Simple & Flexible Installation

First and foremost, the ZKTeco Atlas Series has one of the simplest installations of any access control panel. It's also pretty flexible, as you have a couple of different setup options.

First is PoE (Power over Ethernet). We're big fans of PoE at Nelly's Security. It's the fastest way to get your security cameras set up, and now it's the most efficient way to set up your acess control, too. Simply connect the panel to a PoE switch and that's it. Your panel is now connected to power and to the network in one fell swoop. No need to mess with multiple cords.

Don't have a PoE switch? That's no problem, you can still power up your board by wiring it to a 12v DC power supply. If you take this route but you still don't want to mess with multiple cords, you can connect your panel to the network via Wi-Fi. You will still need a hardwired connection at first just to get the initial Wi-Fi set up. But after that, you're free to ditch the Ethernet cable. Just make sure your panel is in an area where it will get a consistently strong Wi-Fi signal.

Built-In Web Interface

With other access control systems, you'll likely have to invest in a third party management software. These can be bulky, expensive, and hard to use. ZKTeco lets you cut out the middle man with its built-in web interface! Log into the interface by typing the IP address into your internet browser. You now have instant access to your system's live monitor, configurations and settings, and controls and commands.

Companion Mobile App

The built-in web browser is great for when you're sitting at your desk. But what about when you're on the move? With the ZKTeco companion mobile device (for Android and Apple devices) you can monitor and control your AC system from anywhere in the world, so long as your ports are open. All you need is a static IP address from their ISP. Keep in mind that the panels come with one free license for mobile access. To add additional mobile devices, you'll have to purchase more licenses.

Did you forget your proximity card at home? Override the door mode schedule and unlock the door from your phone! View and call existing users, create new users, and view events as they happen in real time.

Price Point

Here's the best part. All of this is at a price point that you can't beat. ZKTeco's Atlas Series comes with everything you need for a complete Access Control system for a very competitive price. With other higher-end systems, you'll end up paying a lot more money for a lot more obscure features that you'll probably never use.

ZKTeco Atlas Series Access Control Purchasing Options and Products

When you're ready to jump into access control, look no further than the ZKTeco Atlas Series product line. These products are simple enough for the beginner and powerful enough for the experienced. If you're ready to buy yours today, we have a couple of different options for you.

Custom System

If the kits and bundles aren't quite what you're looking for, feel free to browse our entire line of access control products to piece together your own system. Check out all of our ZKTeco products at the bottom of this page to get an idea of what you might need. We have proximity readers, fingerprint scanners, cards, key fobs, and more. And if you run into any issues or if you need help putting together an AC system that works for you, don't hesitate to reach out and contact us!

ZKTeco Atlas Series Setup and Demo

Now you know what makes the ZKTeco Atlas Series one of the best Access Control systems regardless of your previous experience. In this section, we're going to take a look at what this system can do. I took a Single Door Atlas Control panel (the Atlas 100) and set it up in our tech room here at Nelly's Security. Here's exactly how it went.

Hardware

Here I pieced together a system that included the AC panel, a magnetic lock, a push-to-exit button, and a ZKTeco proximity reader. I'd never installed an access control system before ZKTeco Atlas, and I have to say, it was much easier than I expected. I simply followed the wiring diagrams in the included quick start guide and I had the whole thing ready to go in no time.

Once everything was wired, all I had to do was connect it to our PoE switch with an Ethernet cable, and everything was powered and connected to the network. Once all the hardware is in place, the next step is to hop onto the interface and get the whole system up and running.

Interface Configuration

As I mentioned earlier, one of the biggest selling points of this system is that you don't have to use a bulky and expensive third party management software. By logging into the interface from your web browser, you have instant access to your system's monitor and settings.

Now there are a ton of settings you can adjust from these menus. How you set up your system is totally going to depend on your unique situation. No two systems will be set up the exact same way. In the video at the top of this post I go over a few of the most basic settings you can achieve from this interface. For an extended extended demo of the setup process, check out this video. I go a little bit more in depth on the interface configurations and show you a few of the things you can do with this access control panel.

Here are a few of the settings I demonstrate in this video:

• Create locations and areas: For the most part, these are simply labels to help you keep track of your system and quickly identify who is going through which doors.
• Create maps of your building: For a more visual monitor, you can upload maps and add indicators for your panels and doors. Later you can monitor your access system in real time from this map view.
• Set up Special Days: Special days allow your access control system's behavior to deviate from the norm depending on the day. So if your office is closed on a holiday, for instance, you can make sure your doors will stay locked.
• Create Door Mode Schedules: Want your doors to lock automatically at closing time? Do you want your access control system to only grant access to people with proximity cards during a certain time of day? This is where you would go to set all this up.
• Create User Groups and Mult-User Access: Do you have a super high-security room that you need multiple people in order to access? Here's where you can set up different groups of people and set up granted access based on those groups.
• Set Up User Schedules: Like door-mode schedules, a user schedule allows you set up a schedule for different types of people. Want your supervisors to have 24/7 access, even when the door-mode schedule is set to no access? Set up a "Supervisor" schedule here.
• Design Card Formats: If you print your own designs on your proximity cards, you can create those designs here. As you add new users, their cards will automatically
• Add New Users: Once all those parameters have been set, you can actually start adding your users. Input their information, give them a PIN and a Card number, add them to a user group, give them a user schedule, and much more.

Keep in mind that we're just scraping the surface here. This section is meant to spark your imagination. Think of all the ways your business could use this access control panel and its endless configurations. The only limit is your creativity. Well, your creativity and the number 84, which is the maximum amount of doors you can have on one system. Regardless, there's a lot you can do with up to 84 doors.

I hope you're able to see just how useful these products are, especially for anyone looking to get into access control for the first time. If you are a security reseller, integrator, installer, or other security professional, the best way for you to add ZKTeco to your lineup is to become a Nelly's Security Dealer. As a Nelly's Dealer, you'll have access to special dealer pricing, priority support, an exclusive dealer community, webinars and trainings, and so much more. Click here to become a Nelly's dealer. It's free! And once you go Nelly's, you'll never go back.

Let us know in the comments below what you think about these ZKTeco Atlas products. Which feature are you most looking forward to?