Aperio FAQ

Only the Aperio C100 requires a special tool for mounting its knob cover. For the rest of the Aperio family, you only need standard tools such Allen keys, screwdriver and drill.

Aperio is designed to fit most internal doors (across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India) deployed in a commercial, education, healthcare, municipal or almost any other type of setting. Doors may be wooden, plastic covered or metal with a thickness of beween 35mm and 100mm. Aperio solutions for non-standard doors are also available, e.g. sound insulated doors where thickness is in the 200mm range.

In many cases, yes. Each case must be verified with the specific glass door and its locking specification in mind. C100 and H100 devices are generally more suited, because of their fixing requirements. However, depending on the door, many other solutions may be available (for example, if the door has not yet been manufactured and cutting its glass to a custom shape is possible). Additional mechanical hardware is not part of the Aperio product portfolio and must be sourced separately.

Yes. Aperio H100 and KL100 have matching products within our door closer and wall reader ranges, in addition to matching mechanical architectural hardware products such as handles, escutcheons and cylinder rings.

Aperio uses standard, non-rechargable lithium batteries. Depending on the device, these may be CR2, CR123A or FR6 (AA size). 

Every Aperio unit has its own expected battery lifetime. This depends on multiple factors including type and capacity of the battery, online or offline operation, RFID technology and other factors. Typical time between battery changes is 2 or 3 years. We recommend you replace device batteries at least every 3 years, or earlier if the unit indicates low battery status.

The Aperio platform keeps managers informed so they can be prepared. Low battery is indicated by an LED on the reader and also by an automated alert sent to the EAC via a hub (Aperio online) or as an event on card memory (Aperio offline). This gives admistrators plenty of time to replace batteries. If batteries are not replaced on time, Aperio offers emergency power options. For C100 and H100, batteries are in the outside part of the door. Replacing them is straightforward. An E100 may be powered up via micro-USB on the bottom of the reader. The L100 may be reactivated by using its emergency powering device. After replacing a flat battery, no other actions are required. The last configuration is stored in the device memory.

It depends on whether Aperio was configured for online or offline operation. In online mode, the Smart Credential Cache feature can support users in this situation. Smart Credential Cache can store credentials which are permitted to access even when something happens to the power supply. It works for up to 1,000 credentials. When communication is down, these credentials can still unlock devices. If an Aperio lock is operating in offline mode, there is no impact at all: It continues working as before.

When Aperio online goes offline, up to 200 access attempts are registered in the audit trail. When communication returns, these events are sent to the EAC system.

Yes, using a feature called Smart Credential Cache the lock may be still operated by a list of valid credentials when an Aperio online lock goes offline. Up to 200 access attempts are registered in the audit trail. When communication returns, these events are sent to the EAC system.

Aperio V3 units are designed for use indoors. Deploying them outdoors — in a way that both sides of the door are outside (e.g. a fence gate) — is not possible. The internal side of an Aperio device will not withstand outdoor environmental conditions.

This depends on the hub model. The AH20 Wiegand hub can control 1 lock. The AH30 RS485 hub model controls up to 16 locks. An AH40 IP hub may control up to 64 locks. Besides these capacity limits, there is also a requirement that locks be placed within the expected radio coverage / radio range, typically up to 25m.

The standard range is up to 25m. However, this may be impacted by a number of factors, including the physical location of locks relative to the hub; the hub antenna; and the building's Wi-Fi environment in general. Please refer to hub coverage drawings for generic rules on how to place hubs — as well as antennas suited to different room shapes and sizes.

In long corridors with doors along two sides, the hub's optimal placement is on the wall at one end of the corridor pointing back towards the other end. If the space is more like a square — e.g. entrance halls or a lobby — then attaching the hub to ceiling in the centre, and affixing an external antenna, usually provides approximately 25m diameter of coverage. Please refer to hub coverage drawings for generic rules on how to place hubs — as well as antennas suited to different room shapes and sizes.

Aperio locks may operate in either online or offline mode. The main difference is in where the access decision is made. In online operation, this is decided by the EAC system (controller or server); the radio connection between lock and EAC will wait for it before unlocking (or not). In offline mode, this decision is made by the lock based on information stored in the lock and in the user's credential.

Yes, as long as this is supported by your EAC system. One advantage in such a configuration is cost: a system can start with offline locks which are later reconfigured to work online by adding hubs. A mixed configuration can also save costs at openings where access control is needed, but security demands are low, such as a document archive or cleaning material storeroom.

Yes, as long as this is supported by your EAC system. One advantage in such a configuration is cost: a system can start with offline locks which are then reconfigured to work online by adding hubs. A mixed configuration can also reduce costs for openings where access control is needed but security demands are low, such as a cleaning storeroom. Wired doors, which are more expensive to install and operate, may be reserved for only the most sensitive openings such as the main door.

In general, no. Access decisions are made either by the EAC system (online) or by the offline Aperio lock, based on information programmed on the user's credential.

The main advantage is that there is one single database to administer. This is handled by the OEM system. End-users don't need to learn a new control panel or run a separate database. There is only one interface: the familiar EAC panel for handling access rights. There is no need to input the same access rights to 2 different databases, saving time and end-user effort. For an installer, this type of integration also reduces the chance of delay because it eliminates one of the common problems with integration: communication between databases. OEMs also benefit: there is no need to implement any database synchronisation because Aperio locks are controlled by the existing EAC hardware and all databases are ceeated by the OEM system.

We support the following high frequency credentials: iCLASS, iCLASS SE, iCLASS Seos, MIFARE Classic, MIFARE Classic SE, MIFARE Ultralight, MIFARE Plus, MIFARE DESFire 0.6, MIFARE DESFire EV1, MIFARE DESFire EV2, MIFARE DESFire EV3 (EV2/EV3 only in Legacy mode), MIFARE DESFire SE; LEGIC^® Advant, LEGIC^® Prime (LEGIC only as an additional option); PicoPass; ISO 14443A UID, ISO 14443B UID, ISO 15693 UID. Most of these may be supported simultaneously. We also support a multi-RFID feature: you may configure 3 different MIFARE data structures to be read. This feature works for Classic and DESFire credentials.

Aperio Offline operation supports MIFARE DESFire and MIFARE Classic RFID technologies. OSS Offline mode supports the same technologies, as well as LEGIC^® on E100 and C100 devices. LEGIC^® requires a special hardware version; the other 2 may be configured on standard Aperio locks to match the project's RFID technology.

Aperio currently supports HID Mobile Access via NFC (all devices) and BLE (E100, H100, KL100). We are working on implementing solutions from other leading companies.

Yes. Aperio supports most RFID 13.56MHz credentials from leading companies like HID and NXP, and at the same time supports mobile credentials like HID Mobile Access.

Most of the time the same credentials may be used with Aperio. However, this will depend on a security assessment specific to your building or company: consult whoever is responsible for access control in your building. 

In general, yes. You may migrate from one RFID technology to another for more security or any other reason. Online operation enables a wide range of compatibility to replace or use multi-technology RFID. In offline operation, Aperio locks support one RFID type at a time, but it is possible to switch between them, e.g. for a security migration from MIFARE Classic to DESFire. In both cases, this requires reconfiguration of already installed devices, which usually takes 1 or 2 minutes per lock.

Yes. To move from offline to online, you need to fit hubs and reconfigure your locks (1–2 minutes per device).

Memory cache is a feature of locks operating online — dedicated memory for user cards which may open the lock. This cache is used only when the EAC system does not react to card reading, e.g. the IP network is down, radio disturbances etc. As long as the EAC sends an access decision, this will be executed. This cache may also be viewed as your list of cards which should open Aperio locks even in case of emergency (or at any time).

No, Aperio locks do not use Wi-Fi for radio communication. The technology we use is IEEE802.15.4 with an encrypted communication protocol.

For administration purposes like pairing or configuring door devices and hub, the Aperio Programming Application must be used. After configuration, all operating tasks are handled by the EAC system.

Aperio is designed for seamless integration with almost any access control system. Integration work is needed at the EAC end to allow use of Aperio as a core part of the system. For most systems, this can be done: the number where it is not possible for technical or commercial reasons is very low. We also offer an online hub where 1 lock and hub may be connected to an EAC instead of a wired wall reader (the AH20 Wiegand hub along with any Aperio lock).

To configure an Aperio device, you need to use the Aperio Programming Application. For pairing the door devices and communication hub (Aperio online) additionally, an Aperio USB radio dongle must be used. For configuring only door devices, there is a option to use a micro USB connector.

All devices from the Aperio family (except KL100 and C100 single knob) enable use of an internal handle or cylinder to open the door: the handle is always engaged on the inside. Even in the unlikely event that something goes wrong with batteries or electronics, you will always be able to leave the room. On E100/H100 devices,  mechanical locks inside the doors must also support panic feature E.

The Aperio V3 platform supports remote opening. You can send a request directly from your EAC control panel to unlock Aperio-equipped doors.