Access control system manufacturers and the wider security industry are increasingly welcoming platform integrations and strategic partnerships that provide platform added value for their existing and new customers. The need for interoperable software solutions that integrate with legacy and new hardware systems provide access control manufacturers with an essential requirement to be able to provide their customers with system longevity across multiple systems in a building portfolio.
Customers are demanding cost-efficient, flexible, and scalable solutions when assessing their transition to mobile access. Further demands include the requirements for the software solution to work within their existing building and workplace systems and applications in order to create the utopia of a centralized integrated ecosystem, where everything from identity management to HR and CRM systems would be connected with mobile credentialing for door access, printer access, locker, computer login and anything else in between.
The importance of interoperability for key sharing with external systems
Open source and interoperable mobile credentialing software solutions make mobile access key sharing with third party systems and applications much faster, easier, and far more cost-effective than a proprietary solution. Proprietary mobile credentialing solutions like those by mobile wallet-based credential providers would mean access control manufacturers would need to complete a new integration each time a new system or application is involved, that might be time consuming and include extra licensing fees and contractual agreements for customers.
For access control system manufacturers with a mobile credentialing software solution integrated within their platform, they are able to offer their customer base that have their own workplace systems or applications, a route to adding mobile credentials as a feature within it seamlessly, without facing extra integration costs and complexities. Interoperable and readerless mobile credentialing solutions provide the ability to integrate disparate systems of any age.
Deploy interoperable mobile access software solutions faster than ever
A common barrier to mobile access that has led to the slow adoption, is slow deployment. Physical access control system (PACS) customers can’t afford to wait weeks to months to install new hardware and deploy mobile access when they are happy with the basic functionality of their existing prox systems (despite the lack of mobile access and prox security vulnerabilities). Fast to deploy interoperable mobile credentialing software-only solutions are the answer to turn deployment times from weeks to hours, relieving impatience among customers.
Companies like Sentry Interactive provide their non proprietary mobile credentialing software to access control manufacturers to enable them to approach their customers with an interoperable mobile access upgrade that doesn’t require any hardware rip and replacement. Additionally, if the customer has disparate building access control systems and workplace systems, the mobile credentials can be compatible with these via a portfolio of physical access control system (PACS) integrations and identity and access management integrations with companies like RightCrowd. With the open source nature of the software the access control provider can offer via the SDK integration, mobile credentials can be deployed to a customer with a proximity access control system within hours and setup and installed remotely through seamless cloud setup.
If a customer wishes to scale mobile credentialing to more doors, this can also be done very fast without any on premise changes. All that is required is a Sentry Interactive Smart Access Tile, a batteryless and power-free passive NFC tag that is self-installed next to the doors they wish to bring online.
Mobile credential interoperability for workplace experience applications to provide one app for all.
Many access control system providers have a portion of their customer base in various verticals including commercial real estate enterprises, coworking sites, clubs, higher education, fitness and wellness facilities and more, that utilize workplace experience applications from companies like GroundFloor, Coworks, ForeTees, Nexudus, Locale and others.
These customers are using these tenant and member experience applications in an attempt to improve employee and visitor satisfaction, build communities through improved communications and streamlining property management. All within an interactive digital platform accessible on mobile iOS and Android devices.
The goal is to try and keep the application user retention rate high to maximise tenant engagement and improve the users experience within the workplace or club, while also reducing the need for multiple apps that offer different functions within a workspace or leisure facility. The companies with an existing mobile application that are in the market for a NFC or QR code mobile access solution are looking to implement mobile access as a feature within their platform to improve the value add for their employees and visitors. They therefore require a mobile credentialing solution that is interoperable with their app and physical access control system (PACS), new or old. Interoperable mobile access could sit as a feature within an app to improve member experience and app engagement, instead of making their users use yet another iOS or Android application that would slow user adoption.
Interoperable software solutions like Sentry Interactive’s mobile credentialing SDK for access control manufacturers has the ability to bridge the gap to provide a mobile credentialing solution that works within a combination of platforms and applications, to achieve readerless NFC and QR code mobile access for a buildings access control system, where the mobile credentials are stored within a workplace experience mobile application.
Conclusion
In an industry where seamless integration and maximizing user convenience is becoming essential, access control manufacturers must prioritize interoperable solutions.
By doing so, they empower customers with the flexibility to adopt mobile credentialing software solutions that avoid costly hardware upgrades and ensure compatibility with existing workplace systems and tenant experience applications. This approach not only simplifies deployment but also enhances scalability, allowing businesses to expand mobile access effortlessly for future expansion. As organizations continue to seek streamlined, future-proof security solutions, manufacturers that embrace open, interoperable mobile credentialing will stand out by offering customers true freedom of choice, accelerating adoption, innovation, and long-term success for NFC mobile access.
