Press Release Summary = This Key Note Market Report examines the UK market for access-control systems, which ensure that only authorised persons can enter a building or site.
Press Release Body = Market Report 2006: Access Control
This Key Note Market Report examines the UK market for access-control systems, which ensure that only authorised persons can enter a building or site. Key Note estimates that, in 2005, the total UK market for access-control products and systems (including the cost of installation) was worth £270m at current end-user prices, a rise of 7.1% on 2004.
The products included in this market are audio and video entry phones; key pad entry systems; card- and token-based access-control systems, which cover Wiegand cards, magnetic stripe cards, barcode cards, proximity systems, long-range/hands-free systems, systems to control vehicle access, smart cards and dual-function cards; and biometric systems. Systems might include more than one technology for added security.
Growth in new building output, particularly in non-residential sectors, is one of the main drivers of the access-control market and this has been generally favourable between 2001 and 2004. Business confidence, and the resultant level of business investment, improved in 2004 and 2005 after a weak point in 2003.
The crime level remains high and companies have to guard against the threat of computer fraud by employees (or non-employees) gaining access to sensitive areas of a building, as well as the more obvious risk of the theft of products, office equipment or money. The threat of terrorism is very much at the forefront of security planning by government organisations and industries holding sensitive data or which have potentially dangerous sites. This threat has helped to get security budgets passed and has aided the trend towards more secure access-control systems.
While demand for proximity and hands-free access-control systems remains strong, there is beginning to be more interest in smart-card technology, particularly among universities. Although biometric technology remains a minority sector, it has potential for greater future use and reports of its growth in the US suggest that demand will become more widespread in the UK in time. The introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) in October 2004 has helped to boost demand for hands-free technology.
2005 saw a high level of demand for integrated systems, combining access control with other forms of security and/or with time and attendance systems, building-control systems and other functions. Access control and wider security systems that can be managed over the Internet are coming onto the market, and this is expected to be a high-growth area.
Economic forecasts for 2006 onwards are fairly favourable and security is still receiving a high priority. Key Note forecasts that, between 2006 and 2010, the total UK market for access-control products and systems will increase by between 7.2% and 7.5% year on year.
2025
