Your security team may already have a variety of inherited equipment. Athena’s AI-powered platform can connect Apollo, CEIA, Garrett, and Metrasens Ultra weapons detection systems.
Adding the Athena Platform to your current weapons detection hardware enables more capability and flexibility to choose a walk through metal detector that best fit each entryway’s need. The Athena Platform’s software layer adds artificial intelligence, real-time alerts, and DHS best practices to your existing security infrastructure without replacing functional equipment.
Athena Platform adds an intelligent software layer to compatible walk through metal detectors. The Platform works with a variety of manufactures and models including the Apollo Weapons Detection 500 and 650, and many others such as CEIA OPENGATE and WTMD’s, Garrett 6500i, Paragon, and Metrasens Ultra. The Athena platform can use one or multiple ways to connect: RJ45 Network Cable, Bluetooth, Computer Vision, Serial Port, and Wifi. Please check on the exact features supported with each. You select the hardware that matches your throughput, threat matrix, detection, discrimination, immunity, budget, and organizational requirements, and the Platform could even connect all of these detectors on one common reporting framework with the Athena Platform.
The AI-powered software monitors screening processes, and provides the Athena Platform features regardless of which detection system you choose. For example, when someone attempts to bypass the OPENGATE weapon detection hardware, artificial intelligence catches the evasion and sends immediate alerts to security personnel. This scenario has happened in real life and the real-time alert prevented an armed individual from entering. The platform digitizes DHS best practices across all compatible equipment, ensuring consistent security protocols. Doesn’t your facility want to have consistent processes across all entryways, even if there are different screening devices?
Choose weapons detection hardware based on your facility’s requirements rather than software limitations. Apollo systems offer different price points and detection capabilities. We do not actively sell any of these: CEIA OPENGATE provides premium performance for high traffic needs. Garrett is widely deployed in courthouses and venues. The Metrasens Ultra we see in lots of behavioral health facilities because it’s highly sensitive to address specific security needs. The Athena platform works with all of them.
The platform connects with video management systems, access control solutions, and other security technology already protecting your facility. Security teams receive real-time alerts through existing infrastructure. Video feeds sync with weapons detection events for enhanced situational awareness. This integration improves operational efficiency without replacing functional equipment.
Hardware typically evolves slower than software. But when the new walk through metal detectors add new capabilities and offer improved detection accuracy or enhanced security features, you can upgrade without changing your entire system. The AI-powered platform continues providing consistent threat detection capabilities regardless of hardware generation.
Every compatible detection system gains the same artificial intelligence features. Evasion detection works whether you choose Apollo, CEIA, Garrett, or Metrasens Ultra hardware. Security personnel receive identical real-time alerts and compliance documentation tools. This consistency simplifies training and streamlines operations across multiple locations.
Duke Health, Atrium Advocate, and Kaiser Permanente use Athena’s platform with various weapons detection hardware across multiple facilities. See how hardware compatibility gives you flexibility while maintaining consistent security. Book a 30-minute demo and we’ll show you how the system works with your preferred detection equipment.
Connect weapons detection hardware with video management systems for comprehensive security coverage. When sensors detect potential threats, video feeds automatically focus on the screening area. Security teams review footage synchronized with detection events. This integration provides actionable insights for swift and appropriate response.
Link walk through metal detectors with access control systems to manage facility entry. When the detection system identifies prohibited items, doors remain locked until security personnel resolve the alert. This automated response enhances safety in public spaces, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions.
Security teams receive immediate alerts through multiple channels. Notifications reach tablets, smartphones, security operations centers, and video management systems simultaneously. This multi-channel approach ensures security personnel respond quickly regardless of location or current task.
The platform automatically documents every screening for compliance management. Testing logs, prohibited items records, and security personnel check-ins sync across all compatible hardware. Organizations maintain consistent audit trails whether using Apollo, CEIA, Garrett, or Metrasens Ultra equipment.
Monitor weapons detection systems across multiple locations from one interface. Track detection accuracy, review security operations data, and analyze screening processes regardless of hardware manufacturer. This centralized approach improves efficiency when managing diverse environments with different equipment.
Different weapons detection hardware offers varying detection accuracy for concealed weapons. Apollo systems balance cost and performance. Garrett systems excel in specific applications. Metrasens Ultra offers advanced threat detection. Your security teams should evaluate detection capabilities based on facility requirements.
High traffic areas need walk through metal detectors processing people quickly without creating bottlenecks. Healthcare facilities screen hundreds of visitors daily. Schools process students, staff, and parents during arrival periods. Choose hardware matching peak traffic volumes while maintaining detection accuracy.
Some facilities need portable weapons detection systems for events or temporary screening locations. Others require permanent installations. Apollo and Garrett offer different form factors. Consider installation requirements when selecting compatible hardware.
Weapons detection hardware compatibility affects long-term costs. Entry-level systems reduce upfront costs while delivering effective threat detection. The Athena platform provides consistent AI features regardless of hardware price point.
The cloud-based platform provides centralized security management for your entire operation:
Instant notifications to tablets, phones, browsers, and security platforms
Document response actions and trigger automated procedures
Automatic capture of images, timestamps, personnel, and actions taken
Complete records of testing, prohibited items, and screening protocols
Track throughput, detection statistics, response times, and staffing effectiveness
Immediate alerts when officers miss scheduled check-ins
Control permissions and settings across multiple locations
Connect with video management systems and access control platforms
Athena’s platform integrates with enterprise systems including:
Athena’s platform is designed to integrate with existing visitor management systems (VMS), including Athena’s Hospital VMS, to create a more connected and intelligent entryway experience. When integrated, operators can access visitor identity information, historical visit activity, prior alerts or incidents, Person of Interest or VIP notifications, and access authorization status — all from the Apollo 500 operator tablet interface. This means that when a screening event occurs, security staff have immediate context about who the person is, whether they’ve been onsite before, and what workflow should happen next, supporting faster and more informed decisions.
For healthcare environments, Athena also supports integrations with platforms like Epic, enabling operators to access patient appointment context, room destination information, and visit purpose data where configured. For schools, casinos, corporate offices, and event venues, Athena can connect with credential verification, ticketing, access control, and background screening workflows to further enrich operator visibility. The goal of every integration is the same — deliver more relevant data points to the operator so they can make better, faster, and more intelligent security decisions at the point of entry. If you’d like to discuss your specific VMS platform, Athena’s team can walk through integration options in more detail.
Athena’s Apollo 500 WDS platform includes built-in driver’s license scanning capabilities directly through the operator tablet interface, eliminating the need for a separate ID scanning system. This allows security operators to verify visitor identity, support credentialing workflows, and capture identity data as part of the standard screening process — all from one unified interface. The capability supports driver’s license scanning, passport scanning, and government ID verification, making it practical for environments that require consistent identity verification at entry points.
This feature is particularly valuable for vertical-specific use cases such as casinos requiring 21+ age verification, corporate offices managing visitor credentialing, healthcare facilities supporting visitor management workflows, and event venues validating ticket holder identity. When combined with Athena’s broader platform, ID scanning can also support watchlist and Person of Interest workflows where configured, visitor history lookups, and prior incident context — giving operators a more complete picture of who is entering the facility at the moment of screening. This helps organizations reduce hardware complexity while improving operational efficiency and security intelligence at the entryway.
Athena’s platform is designed with healthcare-specific integrations that help security teams make faster and more informed decisions while maintaining patient-centered and low-friction entryway experiences. The platform supports integration with healthcare systems such as Epic, enabling operators to access patient appointment context, room destination information, visit purpose data, and visitor authorization workflows where configured. This means security staff can quickly understand whether a visitor has a valid appointment, where they are headed, and whether any prior security alerts or incidents are associated with that individual — all from the Apollo 500 operator tablet interface.
Beyond Epic integration, Athena’s healthcare solutions also include the Ambulance Bay WDS for emergency department entrance screening, Secondary Screening WDS for lower-friction secondary inspections, and compliance reporting workflows designed to support AB 2975, OSHA, and Cal/OSHA workplace violence prevention initiatives. The platform connects with hospital visitor management systems, video management systems, and access control integrations to create a unified operational picture for security teams. Together these tools help healthcare organizations improve emergency entrance safety, support compliance documentation, reduce operational bottlenecks, and maintain a welcoming environment for patients, visitors, and staff — all within one connected security intelligence platform.
Athena’s Apollo 500 WDS platform is designed with flexible connectivity options to support a wide range of enterprise deployment environments. The operator iPad interface can connect via WiFi, cellular, or Ethernet, giving security teams the flexibility to deploy in locations where fixed network infrastructure may not always be available or practical. This makes the system adaptable for environments such as event venues, temporary screening locations, or facilities where running dedicated network cabling may not be feasible.
This connectivity flexibility is particularly valuable for enterprise customers because it means the Apollo 500 can be deployed quickly across multiple entry points without being constrained by existing network infrastructure limitations. Whether your facility relies on a corporate WiFi network, a cellular data connection, or a hardwired Ethernet setup, Athena’s platform is designed to accommodate your operational environment. For more specific technical details about bandwidth requirements, data security configurations, integration connectivity needs, and enterprise network architecture planning, Athena’s technical team can work directly with your IT team to ensure the deployment is configured correctly for your specific site and operational requirements.
You need weapons detection systems that fit your facility’s requirements without vendor lock-in. Athena’s hardware-agnostic platform works with Apollo, CEIA, Garrett, and Metrasens Ultra walk through metal detectors. Our AI-powered software adds consistent threat detection capabilities, real-time alerts, and seamless integration with existing security infrastructure regardless of hardware manufacturer.
