The classic ‘lock and key’ door control strategy may still be appropriate for residential properties, but business premises need more advanced solutions. This is where access control systems come in. These modern, secure systems allow access to specific parts of the premises based on who has the right to access the space, not who holds the key. They also provide a detailed data log about who accessed which space at what time, which is useful when investigating incidents, and offer a host of other benefits.
With that said, not all access control systems are created equal. In this post, we’ll run through some of the key things to look for when assessing the options available to your business.
Customer Trust
Leading businesses think long and hard about who they entrust their site security to. While a young access control company may deliver the goods, it’s generally better to work with a company that has a long, proven track record of working with recognisable brands. If they’re entrusted by a range of well-known organisations, such as universities, major retailers, and some of the world’s biggest sporting venues, then that’s a good sign that they have the right solution, since they’re spaces where security failure is simply not an option.
Open Architecture
Open architecture is an underrated asset to look for when assessing access control solutions. The best door access control systems work with a wide range of different hardware, which means your organisation has the freedom to choose the best hardware for your needs. Closed providers force their customers to also buy their keypads, door controllers, and other essential hardware.
Open architecture also makes it easier to integrate the access control solution into your existing systems, such as the Microsoft Active Directory, which manages employee accounts.
Robust Reporting
It’s easy to overlook the importance of data, but many organisations find that they use it a lot more than they realised. Good reporting options don’t just show you who accessed which door and when (though that is important), but can also be used to identify patterns, such as the building’s peak hours or underused areas.
Cloud/Onsite/Hybrid Flexibility
All businesses have unique needs. A good access control solution provider recognises that, and allows the business to do things the way that makes sense to them.
They should ensure you can choose between cloud, onsite, or hybrid solutions, rather than locking you into their preferred way of operating (which usually means fully cloud or onsite). What’s good about this offering is that it can be truly flexible; you might choose to have one of your locations fully cloud-based, but opt for a hybrid model at another location. The choice is yours.
Continued Innovation
You’ll want your access control system to be in line with the latest standards on day one. You should also expect it to be just as modern years down the line. A good provider will be committed to continually improving their products and services, allowing you to get the latest features without replacing the entire system.
Jared H. Furness loves sports! He writes about football, basketball, and baseball. He looks at player stats and tells fun, easy stories. His articles are very simple to read. Everyone can understand them! You can find his writing on big sports websites. He talks about how players play, exciting game moments, and smart plans. For example, he writes about games like Boston College Eagles vs. UVA and Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Miami Marlins. Jared writes his own stories, and they follow Google’s rules. They’re easy to find on Google and never copied. Fans and experts love his stories about stars like Bobby Witt Jr. and fun EuroLeague basketball moments. Jared makes sports writing super fun and clear!
