While wireless locks aren't new, adoption is set to grow, especially in places where running wired access control is difficult or isn't even an option.
While wireless locks aren't new, adoption is set to grow, especially in places where running wired access control is difficult or isn't even an option. “Dormitories and college campuses are good places for wireless locks,” Kotwicki, Northeast Regional Sales Manager, AMAG said. “For medicine cabinet in hospitals and things like that, I do see wireless technology continuing.”
Ease of installation and low cost are indeed two primary benefits of wireless locks. “Wireless locks are battery operated and only ‘wake up' when prompted by a digital credential. Wired doors need to be permanently connected to mains power, and that makes them expensive,” said Thomas Schulz, Marketing and Communications Manager for EMEA at Assa Abloy.
As for the home, wireless locks are also seeing increasing installations. According to IHS, CAGR for locks in smart homes will exceed 50% over the next five years.
“Early adopters are there already: We sell thousands of residential digital locks every month in Scandinavia, for example,” said Schulz. “And you only need to attend mainstream technology shows like the CES to see that consumer interest in digital ‘smart home' products is growing fast.”
However, for home usage to popularize, several issues still need to be addressed, especially with regard to the confidence of consumers who have long accepted mechanical locks and keys as the norm. “Are homeowners comfortable giving up the traditional brass lock and key, and do they have the confidence wireless locks provide at least the same levels of security?” asked von Franquemont, Product Marketing Manager, EMEA, Honeywell Security.
Lack of familiarity is another issue. “What happens if the home owner ignores the battery warning and it loses power — they can't then gain access. Access control will enter the domestic market but not for a few years until a number of these types of issues are resolved,” said Sussman, Technical Director, TDSi.
Currently, there are competing wireless lock standards in the industry. These include the Standard Offline Access Application created by Assa Abloy, Nedap, and others, as well as those that groups like the Physical Security Interoperability Alliance (PSIA) are working on. “The majority of electronic hardware and software providers have expressed strong interest to establish standardization in order to ease the adoption of wireless locks and electronic access solutions in general,” said Aikin, Business Leader of Electronic Locks, Allegion.