Traditional digital access control systems are still controller by PCs with a maximum support of 8 electronic door locks. Any one faulty controller would result in all 8 of the door locks in the connection to be inoperable. On the other hand, with the embedded Linux operating system in the advanced electronic door locks (of ACTAtek), the units now are able to operate independently, and can provide all the features that were never imaginable before in the era of traditional access control applications!

ACTAtek Ltd.'s (http://www.actatek.com), researched and developed its own ACTAtek, with embedded Linux technologies platform for access control. The embedded Linux Operating system embedded is identical to those that have been integrated with desktop and server versions of Linux using the same core. However, the size of the embedded Linux platform is integral compared to the desktop and server versions - Allowing it to be embedded in electronic or mobile electronic equipments. Take ACTAtek for instance, the system firmware is only 3MB in size, compared to all other applications, it is only 5MB in capacity.

ACTAtek provides various means for authentications, such as smart cards, fingerprints, or a combination of both.   ACTAtek can support both contact or contactless smart cards, as well as, bar code, RFID, Mifare, Legic, etc.   The optional built-in CMOS camera can capture pictures to avoid "buddy punching".

With embedded Linux in ACTAtek, it can operate independently without the need of a PC (if it is needed to communicate with a PC to download data and such, ACTAtek provides the required Java API software for integration).   ACTAtek supports multiple language display, including traditional / simplified Chinese, Korean, Arabic language, and such. When users login and gain access to the premises, personal message can also be displayed to users.   ACTAtek is an embedded web server in itself, and can work with different types of web interface.   Users can browse through a PDA or smart phone via GPRS, Wi-Fi, or web browsers.

The advantages of using embedded Linux are manifold. ACTAtek is compact in size, provides flexible interface for enhanced new features, and allows for tremendous cost reduction compared to existing systems.   According to Engineering Director, Mr. Andrew IP of ACTAtek Ltd, ACTAtek is widely used in the business and industrial sector, with big names including Boeing, Government of Qatar, Coco-cola, IBM, FIAT, Thailand Highway Tolling Stations, etc.