In 2024, the North American access control market is undergoing significant transformation, driven by several trends.
In 2024, the North American access control market is undergoing significant transformation, driven by trends such as mobile access adoption, system centralization, and increased demand for interoperable solutions.
As industries like multifamily housing, healthcare, and higher education evolve to meet modern security and operational challenges, access control technologies are becoming more seamless, mobile-centric, and integrated.
This article explores the key drivers behind these developments and how integrators can position themselves to capitalize on growth opportunities in the access control market.
Mobile access control: the new standard
Mobile-based access control is becoming a staple across North America, moving beyond testing phases to become a core security measure for organizations in various sectors. The convenience of mobile credentials, paired with enhanced security features, enables seamless access to buildings, secure areas, and residences through smartphones and wearable devices.
According to Jason Newland, Multifamily Specialist at Allegion US, mobile adoption is reshaping the industry:
“The market has shifted from learning and testing mobile credentials to adopting them as a core part of security and building access,” Newland said. “We’re seeing this shift across markets including higher education, multifamily, healthcare, and offices.”
With more people using smartphones and smartwatches for everyday transactions, adding building access to mobile wallets such as Apple Wallet and Google Wallet has become the next logical step in simplifying access control.
Students, employees, and residents can now tap their phones or wearables to unlock doors, eliminating the need for physical keys or keycards. This ease of use has spurred widespread demand, especially in multifamily housing, where convenience and security are paramount.
Multifamily sector leading mobile access adoption
In the multifamily housing sector, mobile access control is quickly becoming an essential amenity. With residents prioritizing security and convenience, property owners are increasingly adopting mobile-based solutions to meet these expectations.
According to Newland, a recent Multifamily Living Trends Study found that nearly 60 percent of respondents indicated they would prefer a future residence that offers mobile access control. Even more telling, the study showed an 82 percent increase in residents willing to pay more for the ability to remotely monitor and control entry to their homes.
“When asked in a recent Multifamily Living Trends Study, nearly 60 percent of survey respondents stated they would likely select a future place of residence if it had mobile access control offered as an amenity,” Newland noted.
This trend represents a significant growth opportunity for access control integrators. Many multifamily properties, particularly older ones, are transitioning from mechanical locks to electronic access control systems. Integrators can play a critical role in guiding property owners through this evolution, helping them select and implement the right technologies to meet both current and future needs.
Centralization: streamlining access control operations
As mobile access control continues to grow, another key trend shaping the market is centralization. By consolidating access control management tasks into centralized systems, property owners, particularly in multifamily settings, can drive operational efficiency and reduce costs.
This is becoming increasingly important as labor shortages and cost pressures affect industries nationwide. Newland highlighted the importance of centralization in improving operational workflows:
“Operators and ownership groups can drive more efficiency by bringing common tasks required at the property level into a centralized location for administration and management,” Newland said.
By centralizing access control management, operators can assign highly trained staff to handle tasks more efficiently, streamlining processes that were once fragmented across multiple locations.
However, for this approach to be successful, it’s essential that the systems in place are interoperable, meaning they can integrate smoothly with other technologies already being used by the property or organization.
Interoperability: future-proofing access control systems
Interoperability has emerged as a critical factor in the access control market, especially as organizations look for solutions that can adapt to future technological advancements. As Newland explained, investing in open and interoperable access control systems allows organizations to “future-proof” their security infrastructure, ensuring that it can seamlessly integrate with new technologies and platforms as they emerge.
“What organizations use today can dictate what options they have down the road. Investing in open and interoperable access control solutions helps to future-proof buildings, as it’s more likely to work with future technological advancements, especially for rapidly evolving technologies like mobile credentials,” he said.
One of the most notable advancements in this area is the ongoing development of a standard credential and protocol for mobile-based access control. Led by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, the “Aliro” initiative aims to enhance interoperability between mobile devices, wearables, and access control systems, regardless of the brand or manufacturer.
The Connectivity Standards Alliance announced allows Aliro to transform how users unlock doors or other entry points using their mobile devices or wearables, according to Newland who added that Allegion is actively working on this initiative.
This effort to create a universal standard for access control could significantly reduce compatibility issues and streamline the adoption of mobile credentials across industries. Integrators who stay ahead of these developments will be well-positioned to offer clients interoperable solutions that can adapt to evolving security needs.
Challenges and opportunities for integrators
As demand for mobile and centralized access control systems continues to grow, integrators have a unique opportunity to position themselves as valuable partners for organizations looking to upgrade their security infrastructure. This is particularly true for the multifamily sector, where many properties are still reliant on outdated mechanical locks and are seeking to transition to modern electronic access control systems.
For integrators, the ability to offer expertise in the selection, installation, and management of mobile-based access control solutions is a significant advantage. Many property owners are unsure where to begin when upgrading their systems, and they rely on integrators to guide them through the process.
“Integrators have an opportunity to assist existing properties who are trying to evolve from mechanical to electronic access control,” Newland said. “These properties are often in need of a guide, like an integrator, to assist them in their vision, selection, and implementation.”
By offering expertise in emerging technologies like mobile access and interoperability, integrators can not only meet the immediate security needs of their clients but also help them plan for future growth.
Market drivers and obstacles in the years ahead
Looking ahead, several key drivers and challenges are expected to shape the access control market in North America over the next few years. One of the most significant drivers is the growing importance of safety, security, and peace of mind for residents, particularly in the multifamily sector.
Property owners are under increasing pressure to provide access control solutions that meet both the security needs and lifestyle preferences of their residents.
“For multifamily, the importance of safety, security and peace of mind of the resident is continuing to increase in priority,” Newland said. “Property owners will need to provide residents with access control solutions that meet both their lifestyle and security needs. Additionally, cost control will always be a driver of decision-making. In regard to access control, this means owners and developers will need to select access control solutions that enable positive NOI through improved operational efficiency.”
However, the rapid pace of technological advancements in the access control market also presents challenges. As more technologies are launched, interoperability will become increasingly important to ensure that new systems can integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure.
Conclusion: the future of access control in North America
As we move through 2024, the North American access control market is poised for continued growth, driven by trends such as mobile adoption, centralization, and interoperability. For integrators, the opportunities are vast, particularly in sectors like multifamily housing, healthcare, and higher education, where the demand for mobile-based solutions is rising rapidly.
By staying ahead of technological advancements and focusing on interoperable solutions that can adapt to future needs, integrators can position themselves as indispensable partners for organizations seeking to upgrade their access control systems. With a focus on enhancing security while improving operational efficiency, the access control market is set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of building access and security across North America.
As Newland concludes, interoperability will continue to be important across all markets as more technologies are launched. Investing in open and interoperable access control solutions helps to future-proof buildings, ensuring they can evolve with changing technology.
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