Access control systems were built for longevity, but expectations are evolving far faster than the infrastructure itself. Mobile credentials have moved from an emerging trend to a baseline requirement. The real challenge isn’t adoption, it’s integration that makes adoption possible.
In this article we look at the two main options to be able to get NFC mobile access, when the customer has an existing legacy access control system already in place.
Firstly there’s the rip-and-replace strategy, that’s fed the reader manufacturers well over the years, and then you have the opposite, the ‘readerless’ software approach that enables the existing reader to remain in place, utilizing the user’s mobile phone as the reader and the credential holder.
To help make it easier to digest the two approaches we’ve put together a comparison table below that is divided into six consideration categories, so that you can review the differences of either solution across decision making criteria such as cost, time, security, interoperability and operational disruptions.
| Rip-and-Replace | Using the mobile as the door access reader | |
|---|---|---|
| Security | New hardware supports the latest encryption and authentication protocols. Manual firmware updates required for new security updates. | Leverage the smartphone’s up-to-date OS cybersecurity protocols plus 2-factor and face id authentication. Mobile credentials are stored in the cloud with banking level encryption and follow NIST best practices. |
| Cost | High upfront cost – hardware installation, labor and cabling. | Leverages existing access control infrastructure, no changes or additional hardware costs required. |
| Operational disruption | Significant – requires physical replacement of readers, possible downtime. | Minimal – mobile credential integration can be rolled out gradually alongside existing keycard access systems. |
| Time-to-deploy | Long – weeks to months depending on site size and infrastructure needs. | Fast – can be deployed via a software integration with the access control system(s) and rolled out to doors within hours. |
| Access options | Users have the option to use physical credentials alongside mobile credentials, however they have to be from the same brand and encryption technology as the reader. | Users can use their existing keycards and fobs alongside mobile credentials that offer NFC mobile access, regardless of the system and technology, without having to replace readers. |
| Interoperability | Mobile credentials can only be used on a proprietary system with specific mobile-enabled reader hardware. | Mobile credentials can be used on multiple access control systems from various manufacturers, there’s no system lock in, the software is non-proprietary. |
Mobile credentials are now an expectation but legacy reader hardware was built to last, therefore why should it be ripped out and replaced just to accommodate NFC mobile access. Sentry Interactive’s NFC mobile credential software has been developed with the user and legacy system investments in mind, and designed to extend the life of legacy access control systems.
Sentry Interactive believes that open standards for mobile credentialing software is what drives innovation for OEM access control systems forward and that software should be the provider that develops legacy access control system longevity. Installed access control panels should continue to deliver value. Mobile credentials shouldn’t be locked to a single proprietary system or platform and mobile credentials should coexist with physical access cards, if the enterprise still requires physical IDs.
Innovation stems from open software that is compatible with the building’s legacy access control infrastructure. If you are interested in a mobile access software upgrade for your legacy access control systems, get in touch and we’ll show you how quick, easy and inexpensive it is when compared to the rip-and-replace alternative.
