In our fourth installment of SVIP Verified, we take a deep dive into Hartmann Control's Access Control offering Odyssey including both hardware and software. Our evaluation features a hands-on system review by the SVIP Verified Team and an exclusive end user interview with Son Le., Director of Information Technology at the City of Waukee, Iowa.
*The SVIP Verified Team is composed of seasoned technical industry professionals and end users, collectively bringing over a century of expertise to the evaluation process.*
SVIP Verified System Evaluation
Hartmann Controls (HC) provided SVIP with a demo kit of their hardware and granted user access to their Odyssey software. The equipment from the demo kit was mounted as shown below.
The SVIP Verified team then conducted a thorough evaluation of Hartmann Control's software "Odyssey" and hardware (panel & controller), assessing the following evaluation criteria in the system evaluation report below.
Evaluation Criteria
1. Hardware
2. Performance
3. Software
4. User Experience
5. Security
6. Integration & Support
7. Innovation
8. Cost
9. End User Interview
10. SVIP Final Comments
*Hardware*
Wavelynx Ethos Reader (Included)
Hartmann Controls PRS-2DR-STR Panel (Included)
Hartmann Controls POE-TDM--XB Controller (Included)
GREENnet POE+ (Not Included)
*Performance*
Marty from SVIP provided a demonstration of the hardware and software. Each time a credential was presented to the reader, both the door strike and the software responded quickly and accurately.
*Software*
Hartmann granted SVIP cloud access to their access control software "Odyssey".
Home Screen - This is the first screen users see when they login.
Home Tab Dropdown - Users have the option to navigate to different dashboards as well create their own.
Actions Tab - Users have the option to Override and Update Panels
Override Tab - Users have the ability to override doors, elevators, inputs, outputs, alarm partitions, and alarm zones as needed.
Update Panels Tab -Users can choose to update their panels by selecting "Yes" or "No."
Partitions Tab - Allows administrators to divide the access control environment into logical, isolated segments, each with its own set of Users, Access Groups, Schedules, and Devices.
Panels Tab - Users can view their current panels, make edits, and add new ones.
Add Panel - Users can add new panels by entering a name and description, setting a password, selecting a site and MAC address, and confirming the connection, installation, and tamper sensors.
Doors Tab - Users can view their current doors, make edits, and add new ones.
Add Door - Users can add new doors by selecting door type, entering a name and description, selecting a panel, and creating a tag.
Users Tab -Users can view their current users, make edits, and add new ones.
Add User -Users can add new users by entering their first & last name, email, start and expiration date as well as tags. Users can also add credentials and adjust permissions for each new user.
Elevators Tab - Users can view their current elevators, make edits, and add new ones.
Add Elevator - Users can add new elevators by entering a name and description, selecting a panel, tuning on or off button sensing, and selecting floors.
Action Plan Tab - Users can view their current action plans, make edits, and add new ones.
Add Action Plan - Users can add action plans by entering a name and description, selecting a partition, and selecting a plan type.
System Overview Tab - Users can view their entire system, including panels, doors, elevators, inputs, outputs, alarms, and integrated cameras.
Camera Matrix Tab - SVIP did not import any cameras into the software; however, the VMS feature included basic functionality such as grid views, PTZ controls, playback, and the ability to display offline cameras
Maps Tab - Users can add their own maps to the software by importing an image, assigning a name and description, and linking it to a specific site.
Alerts Tab - Users can view alerts and unacknowledged alerts, and have the option to acknowledge them individually or in bulk.
Card Templates Tab - Users can design custom badge card templates by importing photos, logos, and selecting colors.
User Fields Tab - Users can customize their badges using various settings, including crisis levels, alarm configurations, swipe behavior, and more.
Access Privilege Groups Tab - Users can assign access privileges on a per-user basis, including start and expiration dates, partitions, and holiday group settings.
Custom Fields Tab - Users can add custom options to each user and have them appear in monitoring.
Import Cards Tab - Users can import their own cards via CSV.
Administrative Log Tab - Users can select the date range, partitions, and administrator to generate the report.
User List Tab - Users can update settings for their user list by including attributes, custom fields, access groups, and more.
Notifications Tab - Users can select the date range, partitions, and notification type per the options below.
Activity - Users can monitor live activity on the right side of the screen or generate reports based on a selected date range and specific hardware.
Muster Report - Users can run their own muster report by selecting the date range and selected areas.
Configuration Reports Tab - Users can run their own configuration reports per the types below.
Time Tracking Tab - Users can run their own time tracking reports and select the in/out readers.
Alert Activity Tab - Users can select the date range and administrator to view alert activity reports.
Health History Tab - Users can run health history reports by selecting the date range and the specific health issue.
APB Status Tab - Users can view the APB statues of the areas that are updating.
Schedules Tab - Users run their own schedules per their hardware.
One Time Runs Tab - Users can create one time runs for their doors and floors.
Holidays Tab - Users can create their own holidays and associate them to user, door, or floor groups.
Holiday Schedules Tab - Similar to the above, users have the ability to create their own holiday schedules for their hardware and users.
Holiday Groups Tab - Users can create their own holiday groups for their doors, floors, input/output, and users.
Visits Tab - Users can add visits for each user and set time limits, access privileges, and more.
Rooms Tab - Users can add their own room and associate the appropriate access group.
Administrators Tab - Users can add/edit their admin users, select the preferred language, and assign security group assignments.
*Security & Integration*
Security Groups Tab - Users can add their own security groups, select admins, and set access privileges.
General Configuration - Users can adjust each user per the settings below including assigning authentication and email configuration settings.
Authentication Tab - Users can assign the appropriate authentication setting, password length and requirements.
Local, QAuth, and 2FA are available.
Email Configuration Tab - Users can select the appropriate SMTP Server, SSL, and enter in the reply address, username, and password.
Email Template Tab - Users can select the type of template and name of the invitation.
Service Requests Tab - This is where third party services are available with Odyssey's API key for integration purposes.
Purge Notification Tab - Users can adjust purge settings to conduct automatically by day and time of the week. Including notification and snapshot limit.
*Integration*
LDAP Integration Tab - Users can configure LDAP integration settings along with user credentials and custom fields.
EntraID Tab - Users can configure EntraID settings by user credentials and custom fields.
Health Issues Tab - Users can view health settings, adjust severity levels and frequency of notifications.
Data Migrator Tab - users can select the partition to export, what options they would like to export as well as have the option to import files.
Notification Settings Tab - Users can adjust the notification settings per rules, styles, alerts, rule groups, and live cameras.
Styles Tab - Users can adjust the style by partition, notification type and color
Alert Rules Tab - Users can adjust alert rules by partition and notification type.
Rule Groups Tab - Users can adjust groups by partition.
Live Camera Tab - Users can adjust Live Camera settings by partition and notification type.
Report Email Settings Tab - Users can add their own report email settings by type, time settings, partition, and notification.
Crisis Levels Tab - Users can view crisis levels and door state.
Databases Tab - Users can access database notifications and administrative logs.
Administrative Log Tab - Users can set the duration of log entries.
Licensing Tab - Users can view their current license status, account number, expiration date, and options. Users also have the option to update their licenses from this tab.
Administrator Settings Tab - Users can adjust admin settings per admin including password and Two-Factor Authentication. Users can also have Odyssey send out web pushes directly to your device.
Hardware Tab
Panels Tab - Users can add panels by model, name, MAC address and TCP connection.
Wireless Locksets Tab - Users can add Assa Abloy locksets.
Doors Tab - Users can add doors by type, panels, and features.
Elevators Tab - Users can add elevators by name, description, panel, and floor.
Camera Systems Tab - Users can add cameras and select the recording server or third party integration. *SVIP did not import any cameras in this review*
Unknown Panels Tab - Users can view any unknown panels that are currently listed.
Alarm Panels Tab - Users can add alarm panels by entering a name, type, and site location.
Sites and Areas Tab - Users can add sites by giving them a name, description, and preferred time zone.
Action Triggers Tab - Users can create their own action triggers by location, conditions, restrictions, and action plan.
*Innovation*
Hartmann is actively working to expand its presence in the North American market. As a Canada-based company, innovation remains a core strength, with a consistent focus on providing end users with flexibility and a wide range of options. Their powerful scripting engine has enabled seamless integrations, strategic partnerships, and extensive customization capabilities. We’ll continue to track Hartmann’s growth in the U.S. and provide updates as their footprint expands.
*Cost*
Hartmann chose not to disclose pricing publicly with SVIP, but according to feedback from our end user community, the PRS 2-door panel carries an MSRP of about $2,000, which includes the TDM controller, two RS-485 strips, and a metal enclosure. A standard power supply ranges around $200 and the Odyssey software is estimated at around $200 per year for up to 20 doors in an on-premises setup. The software can be procured on 1YR, 3YR, or 5YR term with both on-prem and cloud available . Overall pricing is expected to scale more efficiently as door count increases. Based on this data, Hartmann’s total cost of ownership appears to be more favorable than that of traditional access control providers in the industry.
*End User Interview* with Son Le, Director of Information Technology at the City of Waukee, IA
The City of Waukee has found a powerful partner in Hartmann Controls. Son Le, Director of Information Technology for the City, shared his insights with SVIP on implementing and optimizing the Hartmann Controls system to enhance security, streamline access management, and scale operations effectively—all while keeping costs in check.
A Seamless Transition to Odyssey
Initially using ProtectorNet, the City of Waukee transitioned to Hartmann’s Odyssey platform with ease. “Coming from an IT and technical background, and with a local partner that understood doors and locks, the installation and setup process was straightforward,” said Le. This solid foundation laid the groundwork for long-term success and usability.
Once implemented, the Odyssey system quickly proved its value in everyday use. “It’s very easy,” Le noted, referring to daily tasks like user and access management. “Once you understand how access groups, doors, and readers tie together, scheduling and one-time runs are easily handled by administrative staff.”
Real-World Experience and Lessons Learned
The learning curve wasn’t without its nuances. “The biggest realization was that door problems are often not access control problems,” Le explained. “A lot of the time, issues stem from physical misalignments or environmental factors, not the technology itself.”
Having implemented Hartmann Controls systems in both his current and previous roles over the past decade, Le affirmed their long-term reliability. “It’s been solid. The support staff is responsive and knowledgeable,” he added.
High-Use Features That Drive Efficiency
Among the system’s most used features are scheduling, one-time-runs, and mobile credentials, which offer convenience and flexibility for staff and administrators alike.
The City of Waukee has integrated Hartmann Controls with Active Directory and Card Presso for a seamless onboarding and photo badging process. “We store card numbers in Active Directory, and HC pulls them in automatically,” said Le. “Access groups are also tied into AD, allowing IT to manage access during onboarding.”
Card Presso enhances this integration by pulling badge metadata from Hartmann’s database, enabling fast, template-based badge printing.
Custom Solutions for Enhanced Security
One of the standout use cases for Waukee has been their duress system integration. In crisis scenarios, a signal from the duress system triggers the Hartmann Controls panel to initiate a building-wide lockdown. “The system is nimble,” said Le. “The A.C.E. tool allows us the flexibility to build or extend features as our needs evolve.”
Cost Savings Without Compromise
Perhaps one of the most compelling benefits has been the cost-effectiveness. “We’ve retrofitted existing facilities with Hartmann Controls and saved 60–70% in implementation costs compared to larger systems like Avigilon or Genetec,” Le emphasized.
The system has scaled with the city’s needs—replacing legacy systems, reusing existing infrastructure, and even supporting PoE-capable panels that reduce power requirements significantly.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Video and Intercom Capabilities
The City is now exploring enhancements to Hartmann’s video management platform and planning to integrate video intercom systems for even broader coverage and functionality.
Le gives Hartmann Controls a resounding 10/10 for support, though he cautions that the quality of local vendor partners can vary. “HC isn’t at fault here—finding knowledgeable access control technicians is just hard.”
Documentation and training resources have met expectations, and when help is needed, the support team is just a call away. “They’ve even implemented features we’ve suggested,” Le noted, reflecting the company’s responsiveness and collaborative mindset.
Honest Feedback and Continued Growth
If there’s one area for improvement, Le pointed to photo badging, which he believes could be better integrated into the core system. “The team is working on it. Once it's all inclusive, it'll be a great step forward.”
So, would he recommend Hartmann Controls to others in municipal or enterprise settings? “Absolutely. If they aren’t considering HC in their access control projects, they’re missing a rare opportunity to bring real value to their organization.”
*SVIP Final Comments*
Following our comprehensive review, we identified five key reasons why Hartmann Controls’ Access Control Hardware and Software stand out in the security industry:
1. Seamless Setup
From panel and controller configuration to connectivity and the software interface, the installation process was smooth and intuitive. Hartmann has done an excellent job streamlining the setup for both integrators and end users, with a user-friendly interface and thoughtfully designed panel configuration tools.
2. Real-Time Activity Monitoring
The software provides a live activity feed conveniently displayed on the right side of the interface, giving users immediate visibility into access events. This panel can be minimized when not needed and is capable of sending alerts based on custom triggers per device—enhancing situational awareness and response time.
3. Competitive Pricing
One of the most notable advantages of Hartmann Controls is its cost-effectiveness. Compared to major players in the access control market, Hartmann offers a significantly more affordable solution—making it an attractive option for both integrators and end users without compromising functionality.
4. Strong End User Validation
Feedback from our SVIP end user community, including a detailed interview with Son Le from the City of Waukee, confirms the value of Hartmann’s solution at the ground level. Hearing directly from those who use the system daily reinforces its practicality, simplicity, and overall ease of adoption.
5. Powerful Customization Capabilities
Hartmann’s built-in scripting engine allows for tailored feature sets and enhancements based on specific use cases. This level of customization enables end users to adapt the system to their unique operational needs, giving them flexibility and control as their security environment evolves ( integrations) but also personalization elements to each end users environment.
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