Today we live in a mobile-first society. In nearly every facet of our lives—communications, work, shopping, paying bills, navigation, the list goes on—smartphones have become a built-in part of our daily routines. Now, many businesses are seeing the value in adding one more facet to these devices: smart access control.
Robust mobile-enabled access control systems leverage smart technologies to streamline complex facility management, reducing operational costs, improving security, and enhancing user experiences. While many large companies are aware of new proptech innovations, the scale of implementing change across their organization is overwhelming and costly—not to mention the lengthy hardware lead time delays.
This is where readerless smart access systems are a game changer. Without the need for replacing electronic wired door readers, organizations can improve security and property management efficiency at scale. The readerless smart access solution, Sentry Mobile Access, takes security a step further with cloud data security protocols designed by banking-level encryption experts.
Let’s explore how solutions like Sentry Mobile Access work—and how your business can benefit from leaving legacy access control systems behind.
Mobile-Enabled Access Control: Convenience and Security at Your Fingertips
Mobile access control uses mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches as a tenant’s credentials to securely manage access into and within buildings.
Since smartphones and other devices are less likely to get lost, damaged, or forgotten, they’re a lot more reliable than standard keys, fobs, and access cards. Companies don’t need to issue physical keys or cards and don’t need to worry that they’ll land in the wrong hands—especially when granting access to visitors. If a mobile device gets lost, administrators can remotely revoke access to that device instantly.
Smart access systems eliminate the cost of issuing key cards and reduce administration and the need for multiple reception staff to manually log visitor access.
Full-time employees, tenants, or facility members download an app to their smart device to enable touchless access control. Guests, on the other hand, can receive a digital access pass sent to their smartphone for the time of their appointment. These technologies streamline access, eliminate bottlenecks, and reduce wait time, thus improving visitor experiences.
Cloud-Based Access Management: Centralized Control and Scalability
One of the most complex aspects of managing a commercial or mixed-use property is controlling who gets access to specific areas. But the centralized control of cloud-based access systems makes it much easier to ensure that only authorized tenants can access certain floors or zones.
A cloud-based smart access control system connects to the network for remote access management of one or multiple properties. Administrators can access the control platform from anywhere via a web-based interface or mobile app. This allows property managers to monitor property access and usage in real-time. They can grant or revoke entry without physically being on-site and set automated access schedules, perhaps by issuing automatically-expiring guest passes or locking off access to a facility at specified times of day.
In addition, they can instantly cancel access to past employees and onboard new staff with the needed authorization. Setup is, therefore, easily scalable as business needs change. Managing multiple facilities from anywhere on a single platform greatly improves productivity and efficiency. It reduces the chance of overlooking details and neglecting certain areas.
How Sentry Mobile Access Provides More Security for Access Control
While smart access offers a host of benefits, the primary reason most businesses implement the technology is to simplify and improve security. A robust smart access control system should offer the following security features and benefits:
- Integration with other security tools and technologies, such as cameras and alarms
- Real-time monitoring and alerts for potential security risks
- Role-based access through ID access control (such as digital ID badges)
- Compliance with industry regulations and standards
- Backups of access data in multiple cloud server clusters (minimizing data loss and leakage)
- Effective threat detection and response capabilities
- Improved workplace morale, productivity, and efficiency due to safe working conditions
To ensure consistent mobile access security, Sentry Mobile Access offers a role based, hierarchical security model that integrates multi-factor authentication for sensitive systems. All access is registered and audited for suspicious activity.
Integration with IoT and Smart Building Systems: Streamlined Operations and Automation
In addition to improved security, streamlined access management, and an enhanced user experience, smart access systems like Sentry Mobile Access offer another monumental benefit for business and property owners. Integrating with IoT and smart building systems can significantly improve overall building management and reduce operational costs.
Property managers can make strategic decisions about the use of the facility with on-demand overviews of who is in the building, data regarding peak and low access times, and key insights into high-use areas. Smart systems can also automate heating, lighting, and air conditioning functions to activate at certain times of day or only when rooms are occupied, significantly reducing utility costs.
Managers can determine patterns and spot irregularities in their smart building by running reports on access and usage activity. They can also identify underutilized areas that carry untapped revenue potential.
Mobile access control systems that integrate with existing third-party workplace apps additionally improve the workplace experience and streamline diary and task management. For instance, employees can use their smart building app to book meeting rooms, access printing, and on-site canteen vouchers plus enter rooms and register attendance with their mobile as a result of an open SDK mobile access integration .
Leverage Smart Access to Maximize Operations
Smart access technologies have revolutionized building management. However, not all systems are created equal—and one stands above the rest: Sentry Mobile Access.
Sentry Mobile Access’ smart access solutions offer cloud-based access control without the need to set up new wired hardware across your facility. The readerless mobile access system works with a wireless NFC door credential instead, that simply sticks next to an existing reader, meaning no rip and replace.
The system equips your facility with touchless smart access, remote visitor management, and valuable data insights. In addition, Sentry integrates digital calendars such as Google and Outlook for effortless visitor access and improved visitor authentication.
By integrating new smart access technologies, you can transform the way your facility operates.
Contact our team to customize the best solution for your enterprise needs.
