What is equipment access control?
Equipment access control, or EAC, is a method of forced compliance for equipment scheduling, user accountability, and door entry/exit. EAC renders a tool 'unusable' (or a door locked) when there is no valid user logged in, and becomes 'usable' when when at least one valid user is logged in. At Georgia Tech all EAC systems use the GT Buzzcard system or GT ID through the SUMS website.
I trust my users. Why should I implement EAC?
Forced compliance does not necessarily equate to a lack of trust. EAC ensures people are properly billed for use, and they are properly trained for each piece of equipment. EAC protects users by ensuring proper training, establishing usage timelines in case of discrepancies, and can even be used to force the tool into a safe state when not in use.
How do I implement EAC in my lab/facility?
First, your facility must be part of the SUMS (Shared User Management System) network. You can join SUMS by visiting the main website. You then have to establish a billing group and an equipment group. Once these groups are established you can begin implementing EAC by filling out the EAC Request Form in the sidebar and forwarding it to thomas.ja@ien.gatech.edu. A quote generally takes two business days to complete.
Currently, SUMS and EAC are only supported at the Lorraine, France campus, and the Atlanta, Georgia campus of Georgia Institute of Technology. If you still have an interest in EAC you can still forward questions to thomas.ja@ien.gatech.edu.
How much does EAC cost?
That can be difficult to estimate. Costs vary widely due to differences in scale and functionality across labs and facilities. The EAC Request Form found in the sidebar helps us confirm the details and establish how much installation will cost for a particular site. Things to consider are number of current/future endpoints (tools), door access, expansion for facilities monitoring and so on.
What if I forgot your DINT and Bit?
The CtrLayer EAC system matches up to SUMS using an array of DINTs (or double integers) and assigns each piece of equipment a Bit. Each area typically has its own unique DINT that can handle up to 32 pieces of equipment. Very large facilities, like the Marcus Inorganic Cleanroom, can have several DINTs in a single location. If you have forgotten your DINT/Bit range please use the contact information on the right and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
What if my EAC is not working correctly?
There are a variety of issues that could affect the state of your EAC system. EAC relies on network connectivity with SUMS. This means if OIT has any network issues it will affect the EAC system. Hardware failure or issues with SUMS are other reasons you may see incorrect operation of the EAC. Feel free to use the contact information on this page in an event of EAC failure. A final note, for equipment where sudden failure of EAC could possibly damage the tool or cause erratic function of a tool we offer a "normally on" configuration that leaves the tool enabled in case of network failure.
