Thinking about incorporating access control into your facility or enhancing what you already have? Here are 4 enhancements you should be investigating:
Wireless Locksets
What It Is
Rather than traditional mechanical locks and keys, the system uses wireless-enabled, electronic locks and credentials. Depending on your operation requirements, these locks can connect via your Wi-Fi network for daily updates, a Bluetooth gateway for real time functionality and building lockdown capability, or in a No-Tour function which requires no cabling (Wi-Fi or gateways are perfect for multi-family housing.)
The Benefits
- Less downtime and disruption. Wireless locks are more easily installed in a facility, so they can be operational quickly and with less occupant / physical disruption.
- Reduced installation cost. This is particularly helpful for facilities where there are many doors or where there’s a need to extend access control deeper into the facility.
- Reduced ongoing operational costs. Wireless locks provide easier overall system management. Wireless locks eliminate the cost associated with managing a traditional key system and occupant changeovers, while providing an easy way for the property manager to manage the system. Systems can also be integrated to provide a single user interface to manage both hardwired access control doors, as well as wireless locks through the building.
Cloud-based Access Control
What It Is
Unlike traditional access control systems which require a Windows-based server or Linux-based appliance to host the access control software and database, the cloud-based system enables facility managers to remotely control and manage doors and gates via an internet-connected device.
The Benefits
- Requires minimal upfront cost during initial system installation, while delivering unlimited ability for system expansion.
- No annual software support agreement. The monthly or annual fee per card reader includes the software support. Essentially, you pay for what you need and expand the system as your needs and your business grows. This method is often preferred by customers since the access control system is now an operational expense versus a capital expense.
- Reduces the workload of the IT technology staff. The days of installing operating system updates and patches along with managing software updates and databases are now gone. The system is now hosted in a datacenter (typically Amazon or Microsoft). Easily check if all your devices are up and running, if your devices and systems are all on the approved firmware or software version and if they are correctly configured.
- Easy and secure access from any place at any time. Features such as two-form factor authentication provide greater security for those managing the system. Some solutions also eliminate the need to open inbound ports on the customer’s firewall or require the use of a VPN connection to access the system off premise.
Mobile Credentials
What It Is
This system uses digital access credentials that reside on a mobile device, which then communicates with a compatible reader or wireless lockset. The mobile device provides a unique number that is associated to the individual mobile device.
The Benefits
- Reduces device contact since users typically hold up their mobile device but do not touch the device reader. This provides enhanced health protections.
- Increased security. Mobile Credential systems build in various security protocols, as well as leveraging the security inherent in the mobile device itself, such as passwords and location tracking.
- Added convenience since users do not need to remember / carry another device.
- Reduced cost due to the elimination of traditional cards and keyfobs. Often cardholders lose or damage a card and visitors forget to return them.
Biometric Access Control
What It Is
The systems scan and record biological data from human beings such as fingerprints, iris scan, palm vein, or facial recognition.
The Benefits
- Enhanced levels of security. Biometric identification is harder to fake, steal, or transfer.
- Improved user experience. Biometric access control tends to be more convenient and faster than other access control systems.
About Us
Leveraging open-systems technologies (either IP or hard-wired), we install reliable, scalable access control to a diversity of building types and sizes, from schools and municipal buildings to commercial and multi-family residential facilities. Our access control partners include industry leaders Avigilon, Identicard, Feenics, Genetec, LenelS2, and RS2 Technologies.