Brand profile · Access control · Secure doors

Paxton Net2 & Paxton10 access control for doors & gates

Paxton is a U.K.-founded security technology manufacturer focused on installer-friendly electronic access control. Since 1985 the company has grown from Brighton, England to a global brand, exporting systems to more than 60 countries and powering millions of doors worldwide.

On Chicago North Shore we use Paxton when a project needs reliable, standards-based card & fob access control with clean software, clear audit trails and hardware that is easy to service over many years.

Quick facts about Paxton

  • Founded: 1985, Brighton, United Kingdom
  • Headquarters: Brighton, UK · Greenville, SC (US HQ)
  • Core systems: Net2, Paxton10, Standalone / Compact / Switch2, PaxLock, Entry
  • Focus: simple, robust access control with clear software and installer-friendly hardware

Where we use Paxton

  • Small and midsize office buildings and suites
  • Multifamily buildings, HOAs and residential garages
  • Schools, medical offices and light industrial sites
  • Retrofits where cabling is limited but standards matter
  • Mixed systems where Paxton panels connect to access control, gates and video intercoms

Why installers & IT teams rely on Paxton (10 reasons)

  1. Hardware designed for installers. Paxton control units, readers and power supplies are laid out logically with clear labeling, which makes installation and future service much faster.
  2. Simple, consistent software. Net2 and Paxton10 have clean UIs, making it easy for managers to add users, assign tokens and run reports without weeks of training.
  3. Scales from a few doors to large sites. Systems can start with one or two doors and grow to hundreds while keeping the same software and credentials.
  4. Standards-based cards & fobs. Paxton supports common card technologies, which helps with migrations from legacy systems or mixed sites.
  5. Flexible system options. Standalone, Net2 (on-prem server) and Paxton10 (cloud-enabled access + video) cover different project types and budgets.
  6. Good event reporting & audit trails. Door events, access denials and alarms can be reviewed quickly, which is crucial for incident investigations and compliance.
  7. Strong support & documentation. Paxton is known for technical support, manuals and training resources aimed at real-world installers.
  8. Reliable hardware in the field. Controllers and readers are widely deployed in offices, schools and apartment buildings, so spare parts and community knowledge are easy to find.
  9. Integration paths. Paxton can work alongside HID, intercoms and other security platforms using relays, Wiegand readers and IP integrations where available.
  10. Predictable total cost. Compared with some enterprise systems, Paxton offers a straightforward licensing model and affordable hardware for long-term ownership.

Popular Paxton products & how we use them

Paxton has several product families that have become standards for small and midsize buildings. Here are some of the most common models we see and use on projects:

Net2 Plus 1-door controller

Net2 Plus is the main networked controller for the Net2 system, usually installed in low-voltage closets or above ceilings. Each board controls one door with inputs for reader, REX and door contact plus a relay for the lock, and it connects back to the Net2 server over standard Ethernet.

P50 proximity reader

The compact P50 reader is a workhorse for interior and exterior doors. It supports Paxton tokens and many 125 kHz prox credentials, and pairs nicely with Net2 controllers for staff, residents and service doors.

KP75 prox keypad

The KP75 combines a prox reader with a keypad in a single housing, allowing card-plus-PIN or PIN-only access where additional security is required, such as mechanical rooms or back-of-house areas.

Paxton10 controllers & software

Paxton10 brings access control and video management onto one platform with modern web-based software and mobile credentials. It is a strong option when the client wants unified doors + video with simple remote access.

PaxLock Pro wireless locks

PaxLock Pro integrates the reader, lock and controller into a single wireless lockset. These are ideal for retrofit doors in schools, offices or apartments where running new cable is difficult or disruptive.

Paxton Entry door stations

Entry is Paxton’s video intercom line, providing panel stations at entrances and monitors inside units or offices. When combined with Net2 or Paxton10, visitors can be managed from the same ecosystem as staff and residents.

Desktop readers & enrollment tools

USB desktop readers and enrollment tools make it quick to add new cards and fobs, issue temporary credentials and manage replacement tokens for residents and staff.

Power & enclosures

Paxton power supplies, metal cans and tamper switches help keep panels neat and secure. We often combine them with documented wiring layouts so the next technician who opens the panel immediately understands the system.

In our equipment catalog we highlight Paxton controllers, readers and kits that work well for Chicago North Shore projects, and we can suggest migration paths from legacy or mixed systems.

How we design Paxton-based access control systems

Every building has different needs, but many Paxton projects on Chicago North Shore follow a similar pattern:

  • Net2 Plus or Paxton10 controllers in central locations for main entrances, garages and elevators.
  • P50 or KP75 readers at doors and gates, often combined with video intercoms at primary entrances.
  • PaxLock Pro or other wireless locks on interior doors where cabling is limited.
  • Integration with HID or existing credentials where sites are migrating gradually from older systems.
  • Properly segmented networks with switches and VLANs from Ubiquiti or other vendors so access control traffic remains secure and reliable.

We focus on giving property managers and boards a system that is easy to operate day-to-day, with clear documentation, labeled panels and room to grow when more doors are added in the future.

Experienced Paxton installers on Chicago North Shore

Our team follows Paxton training materials and best practices for Net2, Paxton10 and PaxLock. We have hands-on experience deploying Paxton systems in:

  • Multifamily buildings, HOAs and gated communities
  • Professional offices, medical suites and co-working spaces
  • Schools, training centers and small campuses
  • Light industrial and warehouse environments with mixed staff flows

If you already have Paxton equipment on site, we can review the panels, tidy wiring and programming, and take over ongoing service. For new projects, we can design a fresh system around Paxton or suggest when another platform might be a better fit.

Paxton & 7DVR.com – common questions

Is Paxton suitable for small and midsize buildings?

Yes. Paxton is an excellent fit for offices, clinics, schools and mid-rise residential buildings where you need professional access control without the complexity of large enterprise platforms.

Can you take over an existing Paxton Net2 system?

We can audit your Net2 installation, review controllers and cabling, clean up the database and permissions, and then offer an ongoing service plan or help you plan a migration to Paxton10 or other platforms if needed.

Do you integrate Paxton with video intercoms and cameras?

Yes. We often pair Paxton with 2N intercoms and camera platforms from Axis or Hanwha, using network design and I/O integrations so the whole system works together.

Can Paxton use our existing cards and fobs?

In many cases we can read and migrate existing prox or smart cards, or run mixed card populations during a transition. We will test sample credentials during the design phase and propose a realistic migration plan.

Do you provide free estimates for Paxton projects?

Yes. We offer free estimates for new installations and 50% off the first service visit for new service clients who need diagnostics or a system review within our service area.

How do we start a Paxton upgrade or takeover?

Use the Contact page to describe your building and attach photos of panels, readers and existing cards. We will respond with a proposed site visit and a clear step-by-step plan.