Not every access control problem has the same solution. Does that seem obvious? Perhaps. But putting the right technology to work in your business will make a big difference to both workplace efficiency and the bottom line.
Not every access control problem has the same solution. Does that seem obvious? Perhaps. But putting the right technology to work in your business will make a big difference to both workplace efficiency and the bottom line.
Of course, many benefits of wireless access control do apply to all use cases — whatever their size. Wireless devices offer greater flexibility without sacrificing security. They are easy to retrofit, increasing the level of control security managers can exert without major disruption to a building’s structure. And because they are powered by standard batteries, wireless locks help companies reduce both energy bills and carbon footprint.
However, scale and functionality — what your business really needs from an access system — will vary widely depending on the setting.
Filtering access for entry-level applications
You can add digital security to any sensitive interior door without complex access control.
Code Handle, a secure handle with a built-in PIN keypad, runs autonomously without software or wiring. A secure PIN code ensures only authorised people unlock your door.
At the head office of digital marketing agency Thirst, managers identified doors which required an easy, low-cost security boost. Staff and visitors come and go all day, but not everyone should have access to the Thirst server rooms or private meeting suite. “We found Code Handle easy to install and a perfect solution for keeping private rooms only accessible for those employees that require access,” says Nigel Cattermull, Founder, Owner and Managing Director at Thirst.
Upgrading to digital access, even in a small business
Not every business needing more sophisticated functionality has a dedicated security management team. For these small and medium-sized operations, CLIQ Go is the ideal solution. With CLIQ Go, any non-specialist — a managing director or receptionist — can issue personalised access rights in programmable electronic keys. They can quickly cancel any that are lost or when employees leave. CLIQ Go’s companion software makes it easy. Likewise, installation: key-operated CLIQ locks are wireless, so there’s no drilling at the door or cabling.
Another easy upgrade to digital security, SMARTair wireless access control replaces mechanical keys with credentials stored on an RFID card, fob, wristband or smartphone. Lost or stolen keys no longer present a problem, because these secure electronic credentials can be cancelled or reissued in an instant. A choice of online (real-time) and offline system management options ensures you can pick a SMARTair system that is right for your workplace.
For new premises in Rennes, France, accommodation provider Easy Student sought reliable, key-free locking. They wanted the student residence to run efficiently — “like a hotel” — and without the workload physical keys bring. SMARTair’s intuitive software interface and time-saving functionality make it easy for administrators to manage their access system. “SMARTair does not require any technical knowledge. I trained quickly and found the software very easy,” says Cyril Verger, Managing Director at Easy Student Rennes. “The solution corresponds perfectly to our needs… Installation was simple.”
Your next credential is already in your pocket
Lost credentials pose a serious threat to workplaces. Over 17 percent of respondents to one recent survey admitted to losing an RFID card in the previous 12 months. It’s harder to lose your smartphone, and likely you will quickly spot if it goes missing. Plus, if your phone is stolen, password, pattern and fingerprint ID security keep thieves out. Credentials stored securely on a smartphone make sense. Analysts Informa Tech forecast a 100 percent CAGR in mobile credentials issued over five years. By 2023, 15 percent of all new credentials will be mobile, according to their data.
There’s no longer any need for facility managers to administer physical credentials with
ASSA ABLOY’s Openow mobile access solution. It integrates seamlessly with the SMARTair portfolio of wireless locks. SMARTair Openow mobile access control enables security managers and site users to manage virtual “keys” inside a smartphone app. The device we carry everywhere — the smartphone — now replaces a separate RFID card.
At ULab, in Spain, savvy managers prioritise the convenience and user experience of their users. This drew them to Openow, which gives workspace residents the option to carry virtual keys on their smartphone. Phones replace plastic keycards, so there’s no need for a card activation terminal on reception. It’s slick, efficient and millennial friendly. “I would definitely recommend the SMARTair system, because of its design and technology,” says ULab director, Enrique Burgos Pérez.
Single-seat management for every lock, in even the largest businesses
In more complex businesses, access control often fits within wider security, building management or smart building workflows. Smooth integration is critical. In a survey of senior professionals for the ASSA ABLOY “Wireless Access Control Report”, almost all respondents agreed access control integration across a building is important. Nine in ten noted its growing importance over the last 5 years.
Another ASSA ABLOY wireless lock technology, Aperio is built on an open platform specifically for system integration. At one installation, digital transformation specialists H-Farm needed to streamline access management at a growing portfolio of sites in Italy. H-Farm experiences rapid user turnover: new businesses join regularly plus they organise up to 300 events every year which are open to external visitors.
H-Farm selected a combination of Aperio handles, security locks and escutcheons, each easy to retrofit, so day-to-day work would not be disrupted by installers. The open architecture underpinning Aperio devices enables easy online integration with their Axis system via PRYSM AppControl. Remote operation from a single, central software interface is seamless, which makes administering the system easy. “Aperio wireless access control hardware is solid, nice looking and perfectly fits our environment — solving our access problem,” says Alberto Aldrigo at H-Farm.
Bluetooth powers a new generation of intelligent keys
For utilities and others with a mobile or remote workforce, CLIQ Connect eliminates the need for workers to return to headquarters to collect, amend or return a credential. With CLIQ Connect, everyone carries their own programmable Bluetooth CLIQ key and keeps its access rights up to date on the move with just a smartphone — meaning fewer miles driven and less money wasted on unnecessary fuel. Data transmission via Bluetooth is up to 30 percent more efficient than Wi-Fi for the transfer process. CLIQ Connect offers a short-cut to becoming more sustainable without sacrificing security.
At France’s ZeFil fibre optic network, in Toulouse, physical key management had become a hassle, threatening service quality. CLIQ wireless cylinders fit each of ZeFil’s multiple door types, without the need to run power cables. ZeFil keyholders chose between classic updating of key access rights at a fixed programming device and CLIQ Connect keys updated via smartphone. All they need is a smartphone and the CLIQ Connect app. Everyone saves valuable time.
Which is the right security solution for your business? Learn more about access control from ASSA ABLOY and download free solution guides:
Code Handle
CLIQ
SMARTair Openow
Aperio