active-witness

Active Witness launches cloud-based access control

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 07:13:14 GMT

Vancouver-based Active Witness recently introduced a multi-factor access control system called SIMA, combining facial recognition with a QR code which is sent to the user’s mobile device.

According to the company, an identity claim is made by the user, who presents their QR code to the SIMA unit’s camera. The claim is verified by matching the code to the person’s face before entry is granted.

This transaction is processed using Active Witness’ cloud-based software and the company’s app, available for iOS and Android. Initial user enrollment takes a few minutes. Optional additional features for SIMA include video recording, time and attendance, tailgate tracking and database inquiry.

Heath Driscoll, Active Witness’ vice-president of business development, said the company is in the process of building a market for its SIMA devices and is signing up dealers, starting in its home base of B.C. as well as Alberta.

“Our networks are pretty broad in Western Canada, so naturally it made the most sense for us to connect with integrators and installers in Western Canada,” he said, adding that the company plans to expand its dealer network to provinces to the east over time, then into the U.S. for the first quarter of 2022. Dealers can earn recurring revenue for each active device they have installed.

The technology is PoE-based, utilizing power and data from the same source, and its cloud architecture lends scalability as well as ease of management to the product, said Driscoll. “That’s where the cloud has really elevated what access control companies can do. It seems to be where the industry is slowly headed, but we think it should be moving a lot faster given the capabilities, the customization, the scalability of the product.”

The primary market for SIMA at launch is small and medium-sized businesses, said Driscoll. Additional target markets include education, industrial, commercial, manufacturing, airports and sports facilities.

“We’re definitely in favour of trying to make this a more accessible form of technology,” said Driscoll.

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Active Witness | How to: add a new user with the Active Witness Mobile App

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 10:00:30 GMT

Setting up a user can be done in under a minute.

Follow this simple step-by-step and get your employees enrolled in no time!

From the bottom of the navigation bar, select 'users'.

Select '+ add'.

Type in the required information: First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone number.

Select which zones the user will have access to in the facility.

You can also select which zones the user will be able to access with SFA (Single-Factor Access).

Next, you can select an access expiry, which will set an expiration date to their access credentials (IE - only give them access until May 12th, at 10:31 PM.

Lastly, you can either take the user's selfie from your device or send them a remote selfie upload email.

Press save and you're all set.

How to: add additional user permissions, create guest passes and use remote unlock

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 09:57:33 GMT

View our app walkthrough to see how to add additional user permissions, create guest passes, and use remote unlock within the Active Witness mobile app.

Download App Walkthrough File

Benefits of Cloud-Based Access Control for Office Spaces

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 09:54:14 GMT

Office spaces are a crucial component of the modern business world.

Here is what KPRIME’s CEO, Kham Lim had to say about their recent implementation of Active Witness at their corporate office.

Click here to download the case study as a PDF.

March 22, 2023 - PRESS RELEASE

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 08:13:30 GMT

Active Witness Partners with SS&SI Dealer Network

We are excited to announce that Active Witness, has formally partnered with SS&SI Dealer Network (SS&SI), an innovative and prominent security distributor in the United States.

This partnership will allow Active Witness to expand its reach and provide convenient and highly secure facility access solutions to businesses throughout the region. By leveraging SS&SI's extensive dealer network, Active Witness can provide its cutting-edge solutions to a broader customer base, helping businesses more conveniently secure their facilities with innovative and affordable solutions.
"I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Jake Voll, CEO at SS&SI, over these past few months and am excited to be working together," said Vikram Bakshi, COO from Active Witness. "Jake is a consummate industry professional and an even better marketer for his business and partners. We’re fortunate for the opportunity to be represented by the SS&SI team. I’m looking forward to letting our partners know at ISC West later this year".

SS&SI Dealer Network also expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting the benefits it will bring to their dealers and customers. "We are excited to add Active Witness's cloud-based access control solutions to our product portfolio," said Jake Voll. "Their technology aligns well with our commitment to delivering innovative, reliable, and cost-effective security solutions to our dealers and customers. We look forward to a successful partnership."

Together, Active Witness and SS&SI Dealer Network are poised to innovate the security landscape in the United States, providing businesses with the tools they need to operate securely and efficiently in today's rapidly evolving security environment.

About Active Witness
Active Witness, based in Vancouver, Canada, is a manufacturer and developer of integrated cloud-based Access Control hardware and software. The Company leverages multi-factor authentication and all-in-one functionality for highly secure and frictionless facility access.

Active Witness has uniquely positioned itself to help businesses of all industries transition from legacy Access Control systems to Access Control as a Service with the cloud. Active Witness is dedicated to providing simple, customized, and innovative access systems to its customers with dynamic software and hardware-based security solutions.

About SS&SI Dealer Network
SS&SI Dealer Network is an independent security distribution company that offers competitive pricing, private labeling, fast shipping, marketing support, vendor programs, and funding options. With branch locations outside of Orlando, FL and Huntsville, AL they serve more than 1000 security integrators nationwide.

Connect with Active Witness
Find us at ISC West: register for The Lounge here [Room 2304-2305 Titian]
Website: https://activewitness.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/active-witness
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ActiveWitness
Get in touch: email Heath Driscoll – heath@activewitness.com

November 7th, 2022 - Press Release

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 08:12:30 GMT

Partnership Announcement: IDN-Canada x Active Witness

Alcatraz AI provides biometric venue entry

Alcatraz AI recently announced a new partnership to provide face biometrics-based access control to the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC).

As part of the new collaboration, LAFC will deploy Alcatraz AI’s biometric access solutions to enable touchless and badgeless building access for all staff at the Banc of California Stadium.

The facial authentication technology will be implemented in all LAFC stadium facilities, enabling the club to resume on-site operations more efficiently after the recent pandemic.

“We are excited to work with the Alcatraz team to bring the future of security to all LAFC facilities,” commented Christian Lau, LAFC’s Chief Technology Officer.

“We will be implementing the touch-less building/space access solutions for our personnel to automate contact tracing and real-time mitigation all in one device,” he added.

The partnership with LAFC follows another one Alcatraz AI entered with VTI Security last month to work on facial authentication solutions.

“Touchless access using facial authentication increases building security and user convenience,” explained Alcatraz AI CEO Tina D’Agostin.

“In today’s operational reality, it also enhances health and safety measures by reducing touch points and enabling robust contact tracing programs,” she added.

Alcatraz also recently updated its biometric access control platform Rock to introduce tailgating detection capabilities and Three-Factor Authentication (3FA).

Columbus Crew selects Wicket for biometric tickets

Another Major League Soccer (MLS) team, the Columbus Crew, have chosen Wicket to provide quick and convenient stadium entry with biometrics, instead of a paper ticket or presenting a phone.

The implementation is intended to provide a frictionless experience for fans attending Historic Crew Stadium, for those opting-in to use the capability.

Wicket’s full suite of products will be used for biometric ticketing, access control, and crowd density monitoring, according to the announcement.

Active Witness launches SIMA edge biometric device

Vancouver, British Columbia-based Active Witness Corp. has unveiled its SIMA multi-factor access control system, which scans QR codes and face biometrics to confirm identity claims for secure access control.

The two-step process avoids the possibility of false positive biometric matches that comes with traditional systems in which a person presents their face for matching against a database of stored templates.

The SIMA solution is easy to install and operate, according to Active Witness, with intelligent edge devices connected to a cloud service. It provides patent-pending facial verification, along with optional video recording, time and attendance tracking, tailgate detection, and fast database enquiry, the company says.

“Gone are the days of printing access ID cards and slow and cumbersome access control,” says Rob Bakshi, CEO of Active Witness Corp. “We all have our phones with us everywhere we go, and you can’t leave home without your face. That’s why this solution makes sense. It provides instant retrieval and quick analysis of a person’s face, and only allows authorized personnel to enter a facility.”

Active Witness says the SIMA biometric system is suited to residential high-security facilities and members-only areas, including residential buildings, military facilities, power plants and other businesses.

View Original Article

Alcatraz, Wicket win touchless biometric access control clients, Active Witness launches scanner

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 08:10:59 GMT

Alcatraz AI and Wicket have won customers for touchless access control with face biometrics among big-league sports franchises, while Active Witness has launched an edge face biometrics scanner to address the same market.