Straight Forward Technology

Access Control System

CS Technologies EVO4 Controller

The EVO4 is a professional-grade access controller designed and manufactured in Australia. It has a native integration with NewBook, making it ideal for caravan parks and holiday accommodation.

Key Features

• 40,000 user capacity – More than enough for guest PINs and staff access
• Native NewBook integration – Automatic PIN generation and guest management
• Full audit trail – See exactly who accessed the gate and when
• Time-limited PINs – Codes only work during booking dates
• Remote management – Access the system from anywhere via Evolution software
• Wiegand keypad support – Works with industry-standard keypads

Why No Computer Required

Some systems connect the boom gate to a computer, which then connects to the internet. This is an outdated approach with a single point of failure. This system connects directly to the internet – no intermediary computer needed. This means no PC to maintain, no operating system updates breaking things, and cloud management from anywhere. As long as the controller has internet access, the system works.

A router and internet provider that supports VPN access to the controller board can be recommended, allowing remote programming and troubleshooting without needing to be on-site.

Indoor Rack Installation

Why Inside Is Better

Rather than mounting equipment in an outdoor enclosure at the boom gate, everything is installed in a 16RU wall-mount rack inside the house. The cable run between the house and gate is short, so there’s no technical disadvantage – but plenty of benefits:

• No weatherproofing required – Equipment stays dry and temperature-controlled
• Tamper-proof – Nobody can access the control board at the gate
• Easier maintenance – Work on equipment in comfort, not outside
• Future expansion – The oversized rack is ready for additional equipment

Built for Growth

The 16RU rack is deliberately oversized for the current project. Once ready to upgrade network infrastructure, it can house:

• NBN Fibre NTD – Fibre to the Premises connection point
• Business-grade router – With 4G failover for critical uptime
• Network switch – For wired connections throughout the property
• UPS battery backup – Protect all network gear from outages

Future Infrastructure

Once the access control system is operational, broader network infrastructure improvements can be arranged:

• Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) – The NBN rollout map indicates FTTP should be available at this address. This is highly recommended as soon as possible – essential for reliable access control and will benefit the entire operation.
• Conduit path to rack – Plan a clean cable route from the FTTP connection point to the new rack
• Business-grade networking – Router with VPN support, managed switches, proper WiFi coverage
• Guest WiFi – Park-wide coverage for guests

These are separate projects that can be quoted when ready.

Bringing It All Together

Seamless Integration

The real value of this system lies in the native integration between CS Technologies and NewBook. This is not a third-party workaround or cobbled-together solution – the two platforms are designed to communicate directly with each other, providing a reliable and fully automated guest access experience.

When a guest makes a booking through NewBook, the system automatically generates a unique PIN code and sends it to the guest via email or SMS. The PIN is programmed into the EVO4 controller with the exact check-in and check-out dates from the reservation. No manual data entry, no spreadsheets, no chance of human error.

Thorough Testing Protocol

Before handover, comprehensive end-to-end testing is conducted between both platforms to ensure bulletproof operation:

• Booking creation tests – Verify PIN codes are generated and transmitted correctly when new bookings are made
• Date boundary testing – Confirm PINs activate at check-in time and deactivate at check-out time
• Booking modification tests – Ensure PIN codes update automatically when reservation dates change
• Cancellation tests – Verify cancelled bookings immediately revoke access
• Concurrent access testing – Confirm multiple guests can use their unique PINs simultaneously
• Audit trail verification – Test that all gate activations are logged with correct timestamps and user IDs

Real-World Reliability

This integration eliminates the most common failure points in access control systems. There is no reliance on staff remembering to program codes, no risk of guests arriving to find their PIN does not work, and no awkward phone calls at midnight when someone cannot get through the gate. The system handles everything automatically, leaving staff free to focus on hospitality rather than gate management.

Both CS Technologies and NewBook provide Australian-based support, so if any issues arise, help is available in the same timezone with people who understand the specific integration requirements.