Elements Terminology

This reference guide contains Elements terminology that may seem new.

API integration - Used to create additional capabilities for Elements.

Audit report - Provides a history of activity in the security system. Any activity that modifies the state of the security system, either via configuration change or direct command, is logged in the audit history. Successful logins to the system, along with any requested data exports, are also logged in the audit history.

Badge - A physical credential issued for access to a facility.

Card - An area of the user interface containing some related pieces of information or a summary, usually linked to more details.

Cloud action - Rules or actions that have been grouped so that they can be executed together.

Connector - See Elements OnGuard Connector.

Content library - A series of training videos available within the product documentation.

Controller - A device that acts as the brains of most security hardware topologies – typically contains an onboard database and ports for downstream device connectivity.

Controller rule - A rule can be configured in the system so that certain conditions may trigger automatic actions.

Customer - An organization that uses the Elements security system.

Customer portal - Used to manage the security system. The dashboard appears as the landing page. The dashboard displays cards with the number and status of events, people, spaces, and devices existing in the system, or video.

Dashboard - After logging in to the customer portal, the dashboard appears. The dashboard displays the numbers and statuses of events, people, and devices existing in the system. A list of the current top warnings and statuses is also included with the number of warnings active in the system. If configured, the dashboard may display video instead of charts.

Deallocation - Disassociates a system ID from a gateway or video recorder while preserving other configuration information. This may be done in preparation for a replacement device.

Device - The hardware controlling the facility. The gateway facilitates communication between the cloud-based security system and the on-site devices.

Device tree - A list that visually represents the hardware in the system and how they are associated.

Diagnostic logging - Enabled for troubleshooting to collect information, such as system processes, errors, firmware versions, resource usage, or network configuration.

Elements OnGuard Connector - Allows communication between Elements and OnGuard to facilitate local security control of the site while supporting centralized management and monitoring.

Email notification - Configured to alert users of significant events in the system.

Elevator - A physical elevator cab is configured in the system and controlled by an elevator reader so people can use their credentials to access floors on multiple elevators in a facility.

Elevator reader - Configured and used to control an elevator cab.

Event feed - Displays activity happening in the system, along with the associated severity, time, device, and location. If a person is associated with an event, the person's photo and name are displayed. The event feed is sorted by time, with the most recent event at the top of the list.

EVR - See Recorder.

Extended access time - Enabled for people who need more time to proceed through a doorway.

Floor - Floors are configured in the system so they can be assigned to elevator cabs that stop at them.

Gateway - On-premises hardware with a unique system ID used for communication between the cloud and other on-premises devices. A gateway can only belong to one customer.

Guest pass - Temporary access that can be shared with a visitor without requiring a badge or mobile credential to be issued.

Integrator - A company or person who installs and manages a customer's security system. Also may be referred to as reseller.

Interface - A device that acts as the intermediary between a controller and another device. Examples: reader interface, output interface.

Invitation - An email sent to the user after they are given the ability to sign in to the security system. The user must accept the email invitation within five days and register an account for signing in.

List - Contains readers or actions that can be quickly accessed on the dashboard

Lockdown profile - Used to rapidly lock down your facility when the doors need to be securely locked during an emergency.

Management portal - Used to manage customer accounts.

Marketplace page - Enables users to discover, learn more about, request, and manage solutions that are integrated with Elements.

Mobile credential - A digital credential issued that allows the use of a smart device for access to a facility.

Page - The area of the Elements user interface that is opened when a link from the sidebar is selected. For example, selecting People in the sidebar opens the People page.

People - People are users of the system. In the management portal, these people help manage customers and their security systems. In the customer portal, these people interact with the security system to access the facility. Some people may also be granted roles to be able to sign in and manage the security system.

People group - People may be added to a group, making it easier to manage their access. People groups can be assigned to spaces and schedules to define where and when they have access.

Recorder - A device installed for video monitoring, used for communication between the cloud and other on-premises devices. A recorder supports up to 16 video cameras and may also support access control devices.

Reseller - A company or person who installs and manages a customer's security system. Also may be referred to as integrator.

Role - In the customer portal, a user who needs to help manage the system can be assigned a role to determine their permission level when signing in to the system.

Security system - A use of Elements to secure a facility.

Schedule - Allow better control over access to the facility by setting up recurring time intervals that can be used for configuration.

Sidebar - The area along the left side of the UI that provide links to the various web pages within the Elements security system.

Site - Where top-level devices may be configured together by their location and used for better organization of devices, people, and access across multiple facilities.

Space - An area defined to manage security and access. Devices can be assigned to spaces to help control access of the area. Much like access level assignments, people groups or individuals can be assigned to spaces to define which doors they have access to.

Strike - Secures the latch of a door and allows it to be opened based on the access configuration.

Synchronization - Allows configuration updates to take effect if they occurred while a device was offline for an extended period of time.

System Access - Controls whether members of the integrator organization can sign in and view the security system.

System ID - A unique number assigned to a gateway or recorder. It appears on a label affixed to the hardware and, once configured, in the customer's System Details. The System ID is required when calling technical support.

User account menu - The menu at the top of the sidebar in Elements. When expanded, this menu contains options for OpenDyslexic and Sign Out.

Video data - An allotment for customers to stream and download video.

Video pre-roll - The capture of some video before an event.

Video post-roll - The capture of some video after an event.