Specifications

Hands-free, proximity or multi-purpose?
Take your pick.
Siemens recommends Cotag, smart card or standard proximity (125 kHz) technology for new access
control installations. We can also provide magnetic stripe cards for use in existing magnetic stripe
systems.
Cotag is a very convenient and user-friendly card technology that is unique on the market. When
Cotag technology is used, it is possible to have both proximity and hands-free card reading in the
same system. All Cotag readers can read both active (long-range) and passive (proximity) Cotag cards
and tags, and both types of cards and tags can be mixed in the same system to provide ultimate
convenience and cost-efficiency. This is particularly useful in cases where some cardholders are
disabled or where hands are often occupied, such as in a hospital or a warehouse. Cotag is more
secure than standard 125 kHz technology because the content on the card is protected and there
is no equipment available outside Siemens to copy or tamper with the cards.
Smart cards offer a high level of security and provide the advantage of being multi-purpose. They
function as proximity access cards, but since they can store much more information they can also
be used as cash cards at company restaurants or vending machines, for example. It is also possible
to store biometric data such as fingerprint templates.
The main advantage of using standard (125 kHz) proximity cards and tags – as opposed to magnetic
stripe cards – is that they only need to be held near the reader in order to be read, rather than being
swiped. This means less wear and tear on cards and more convenience for system users.
SiPass cards and tags