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The right access control door system for your business is crucial in keeping people who are unauthorized out of your place of business.
Having a proper system in place is a safety feature you can’t put a price on. Your employees, tenants and others will have the peace of mind they need to know their best interest is in mind.
Using this guide will help you to uncover the different solutions you have for a door access control system your business can utilize.
There are a few things you’ll need to know to make sure you cover all your bases like:
Finding the right solution for you will be easy if you know the answers to these questions.
When choosing the hardware you’ll need for your access control door system, the scope and size of what you need is an important factor.
If you only need one door secured, then your needs will differ greatly from an organization that needs a multiple site system installed. With more than a few doors that need installation, an access control system that is networked is highly encouraged.
With this kind of networked solution, your system would be centralized wirelessly compared to a system which has security on each door like a lock and key. The network access control door system allows you to add or remove people from the system as well as communicate with any other physical building locations.
By now you should know how many doors you’ll be securing with access control hardware. You’ll want to choose a system that will support all your door entries, but be sure to account for elevators, parking garages and turnstiles too.
Not all door systems will have what you need, so by accounting for everything, you’ll be able to get a system you can truly utilize and grow into.
If you’re concerned with existing hardware you have for your current door access control system, your new system should also be compatible with your existing legacy control panel and wiring so that installation is as efficient as possible.
Should your system have standard wiring with proper input and output options, your system can easily be improved upon or added to if needed in the future
You’ll have more flexibility if you’re starting your system from scratch, but in most cases, you shouldn’t have to worry if you have an existing system. Make sure the company you’re using to install the new door access control system for your business fully understands your current solution and is certain anything new installed will all be compatible.
Another option you should think about is whether you’ll have a server on-site or if you’ll use a cloud-based platform for your door system. You’ll want to weigh both options and make the best choice for you.
A lot of legacy systems have a server on-site so there’s a dedicated space for it physically at your location. That usually comes with maintenance and service as well. This can be an inconvenience to some because on occasion there can be downtime. Not to mention there’s security issues if anything is down any amount of time.
Most businesses will prefer a cloud based solution for its convenience and flexibility. You can have the option to run your access control online making specific adjustments to login credentials, adding or removing people, schedules for your doors and you’ll also be able to view your status reports online.
Here are the main differences between having a server on-site or using a cloud based access control system:
If you’re going with a server on-site, there will be an installation cost as well as up front costs for your equipment. There will also be ongoing fees associated with this as well.
This may seem like a hassle, but some business owners enjoy the comfort of knowing where their equipment is, what is on it, and that there is, in fact, someone servicing it on a continuous basis.
Cloud-based access control is fully managed by an outside party. You’ll be paying for the storage you use so there’s no hidden fees. As you scale, so does your plan with the cloud based company you’re using.
If you’re going to go with a server for your door access control, be aware that your hardware will need to be updated on a regular basis. If you have multiple locations, then a server will be needed at each location connected via a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
A cloud based approach may be the better option for you if you’re operating a multi location business as the cloud servers will talk to one another. You’ll have the option of responding to concerns quickly through remote monitoring.
Neither option is better or worse, but you’ll have to decide what’s a better option for your business preferences. A lot of business owners prefer having a server on site, and others would prefer if it was off-site and in the cloud.
Once you’ve chosen the door system you’ll be using to control access, now you’ll have to decide who and what will be allowed to enter and when.
Your access control system should have the hardware and software to allow different methods for access. Legacy systems might only be able to provide keycard access while new systems may not be backwards compatible with the system you currently have.
What access methods are currently in use at your facility and are you happy with them? Does everyone need the same level of access? Are you able to manage credentials? These shouldn’t be hard to do or cause you headaches with your door system.
The most common methods of access your door system should control are:
In order for users to gain entry, the use of key cards, key fobs or badges will be all that’s needed. Most of the legacy systems we come across, most fobs and cards are supported, but can be a little harder to manage. You’ll want your cards encrypted for the best security available.
This is the most preferred method of entry for a lot of businesses due to cleanliness. A credentialed user can just swipe their smartphone in front of the reader to gain access. Everything is stored on the users phone and employees are less likely to forget to bring that to work with them.
Permissions can be easily given and taken away with a user management software and you don’t even need to interact with the person’s phone or be in person to do it. It’s as easy as a flip of a switch that a user can be locked out of everything. The door access control system should also be able to unlock via wrist watches like the Apple Watch and other similar touchless technologies.
This is a little more advanced and longer to set up, but it’s very secure since it requires someone to give you their fingerprint, face or retina scan to get access to inside. These readers can be used in addition with other methods of entry.
If you’re already using a mobile entry door access system, you can activate the biometric capability built into the users smartphone to where they will need to use FaceID or a PIN on their phone to get access.
This is an added layer of security just in case a smartphone is stolen and is being used to access the building.
With a new door access control system installed, you’ll want to make sure you’re taking advantage of and using all the features that come along with it. Here are a few things that you should use, or at lease make sure your new system has.
Having a provider that understands the system you have and what you’re looking to accomplish will save you a lot of headaches down the road.
Building Security Services & Systems will provide you with all the components you need, make sure you’re complying with security measures required for your building, and can install your system from start to finish.
We will hand pick the best solution for your needs whether that’s updating an existing legacy system or building a whole new door access control system from scratch. Everything should work together effortlessly.
Contact us today to have us give you our expert opinion on what you need to accomplish your security goals.
Joseph Ferdinando is the visionary founder of Building Security Services, a leading security company renowned for its comprehensive security services. With an illustrious career spanning over 40 years in the security industry, Joseph has been instrumental in elevating the standards of security guard services for a broad spectrum of businesses and organizations. As an influential member of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) in both New York and New Jersey chapters, Joseph has played a pivotal role in shaping industry standards and practices.