In mixed-use properties, operators can benefit greatly from automated workflows and responses. This article looks at how such automation can boost the security and operational efficiency of mixed-use properties.
In security, workflow and response automation refers to the automatic execution of predefined actions when an event happens. In mixed-use properties, operators can benefit greatly from automated workflows and responses. This article looks at how such automation can boost the security and operational efficiency of mixed-use properties.
Mixed-use properties are buildings occupied by different tenants. Across the globe, such properties are on the rise due to various benefits. These include more diverse revenue streams from different tenants, more efficient use of land and greater contribution to sustainability.
Security challenges in mixed-use properties
Yet mixed-use properties have their share of security challenges.
“Multi-tenant and mixed-use properties are inherently complex environments. Different user groups operate within the same building infrastructure but under different rules and time schedules. Retail tenants may only have access during defined business hours, while facility management or technical staff require round-the-clock access. Public areas, parking garages, and shared entrances add further operational complexity,” said Christian Linthaler, Chief Sales Officer at Dallmeier Electronic.
Rickey Cox, VP of Product at Rhombus, cites security issues often seen in student housing communities and other multi-tenant properties.
“Operators frequently contend with unauthorized individuals entering buildings, loitering in stairwells or garages, and propping doors open to allow continued access. In some cases, individuals experiencing homelessness may seek shelter inside buildings or near them, which creates safety concerns for residents and operational challenges for staff,” Cox said. “In high-traffic environments, even a single propped door can compromise the entire access control strategy.”
That said, security solutions where workflows and responses are done manually do not make things easier for security teams.
“When workflows are manual, response times tend to lag. Staff may not notice a door left open until someone reports it. By then, footage must be reviewed manually, and access logs must be cross-referenced to reconstruct the timeline. In a busy urban property, that can consume hours,” Cox said.
“Without automation, operators must manually verify alarms, check access permissions, and initiate responses. This increases workload and significantly raises the risk of inconsistent decision-making or delayed action. In larger properties, manual handling quickly becomes inefficient and difficult to scale. It may also lead to false alarms being overlooked or policies not being enforced consistently, ultimately compromising security and operational efficiency,” Linthaler said.
How automation can help
With automation in place, mixed-use properties can see a boost in security and operational efficiency. Security-wise, automating workflows shortens response times, reduces operator workload and ensures incidents are handled consistently across the site.
“Pre-defined workflows help teams manage everything from shoplifting or missing person reports in retail areas to large scale events like building or terminal evacuations,” said Andreas Beerbaum, VP of Global Sales and Services, Physical Security at Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure and Geospatial division.
“For example,” he continues, “If a store employee triggers an under counter alarm, the control room receives an automatic alert along with live and recorded video from nearby cameras. The operator is guided through the appropriate steps, which may include sending on site security or police, notifying nearby tenants, restricting access to certain zones or simply verifying with the store manager if the alarm was accidental.”
David Zhai, Director of Product Management at Verkada, said automated workflows can also prevent the need for costly after-hours monitoring. “For example, a delivery driver scanning a visit key credential after hours could automatically disarm a specific alarm zone, preventing the need for intervention from onsite security or the accidental trigger of an alarm. Another practical example is AI-powered deterrence. In a typical multi-tenant building, keeping a vestibule or parking garage clear of loiterers requires a physical presence or constant camera monitoring. With automation, if the system detects loitering during off hours, the intercom can autonomously issue a human-like audio warning to deter a trespasser,” he said.
According to Zhai, this provides an all-in-one solution where the intercom handles entry, video security, and active deterrence without the need for additional bulky hardware or the cost of 24/7 staffing.
Workflow and response automation can also improve the operational efficiency of mixed-use properties.
“The biggest benefit for both multi-tenant commercial real estate as well as multifamily spaces is operational efficiency through automated ‘provisioning’ and ‘de-provisioning.’ For example, when a lease is signed in a property management system, the credentials are automatically issued. This eliminates the ‘key management’ headache for the operator and ensures the right people have the right access at the right time. Importantly, it reduces human error during high-risk moments like move-ins, move-outs, or emergencies,” said Steve Van Till, Founder and President of Brivo.
Van Till notes that automating workflows and responses may even help with preventative maintenance in multi-tenant environments. “For example, when a lock on a residential door is in low-battery status, automation can do the following: initiate a work order ticket, provision temporary access for the technician who picks up the work order ticket to replace the battery and revoke that access once the work order is complete,” he said.
What can trigger automated responses
According to Linthaler, automated responses can be triggered by a wide range of events originating from video analytics, access control systems, or other integrated technologies.
“Typical examples include unauthorized access attempts outside defined time windows, forced door alarms, tailgating at secured entrances, or suspicious behavior detected through object classification,” he said. “For instance, if a tenant accesses a restricted area outside permitted hours, the system can automatically generate an alarm, display the relevant live video stream and notify security staff. Similarly, unusual crowd density in shared public areas can trigger predefined escalation procedures."
Product Adopted:Building