This White Paper from RS2 Technologies examines a number of components of the TCO equation, and discusses how the TCO concept can be effectively applied in the decision-making process involving the choice of an Access Control System supplier. This paper does not provide an absolute quantitative model for side-by-side cost comparison of competing Access Control Systems. Rather, it looks at the four major cost components of Access Control System ownership and provides a list of questions that decision-makers should ask potential vendors. The reader is then encouraged to apply the TCO concept to his/her next Access Control System purchase decision.