Commercial Access Control Systems

Commercial access control systems provide businesses with the ability to secure their facilities by using embedded credentials to grant access in and out of buildings along with certain areas within those buildings. Commercial access control systems often include several components:

• A main control panel and digital interface
• Card readers, keypads and/or biometric readers
• Electrified door locking mechanisms
• Credentials in the form of key fobs or ID badges.

Commercial access systems differ from basic access control systems in that users of a commercial system are assigned a specific credential allowing administrators of the system to have a history and report of each user's activity.

Access control systems allow end users to manage access to their building or areas of the building in real-time without needing keys as the primary source of entry. Should an employee quit or get fired, their access can be revoked immediately without worrying about rekeying a building to ensure ongoing extra level of security. Exterior doors can be scheduled to lock and unlock at specific times ensuring building security outside of normal business hours.

Characteristics change from product to product, but overall, most access control systems can integrate with most other security systems. This includes upgrading existing access control main panels while keeping existing infrastructure and readers. Several systems offer applications that also allow for cameras to be integrated into the same software, so that door activity is synced with camera footage covering a specific door. This allows users to view door activity on the access control log and look at a side-by-side image of the event from the camera system. Access control can also be paired with fire and burglary systems.

Costs vary greatly depending on the style and age of the doors in the facility. A good budgetary number would be around $3,000 per door. This includes the cost of adding locking equipment to the door, card readers that tie into the door, setting up the head end, and structured cabling. However, keep in mind that this cost can go up significantly depending on the age and style of the door.

Both can provide access control to a single door. Smart locks are managed individually at the door while commercial access control systems can be managed remotely.

Security systems are designed to notify you if there is unauthorized entry or a break-in outside of business hours. They are used to detect malicious activity outside of operating hours and dispatch authorities if needed. Access control systems are designed to allow or restrict access to the building or certain areas of the building. This works for both employees and the general public. Access control systems are the types of systems that are also used as a way of ensuring proper conduct within a company. If an incident were to happen, access control logs offer users the ability to investigate where employees are located at a certain time. Some security systems have the ability to manage access control systems.

It all starts with a consultation to determine your needs. Once we design a system, a locksmith will install the appropriate locking hardware. We will then install the controlling hardware and pull the necessary wiring needed to install any software. If needed, we can also help you input user data – including setting up employee access for every individual on your team. Once all of this data is loaded into the system, we can bring the system online and do any testing that is needed.

Whether you’re the building owner or take the lead in your facility’s security needs, you’ll have the ability to control who has access to any door that is set up to be monitored. Depending on the type of system, doors can be locked and unlocked remotely. Users can be added and disabled remotely.

Access control systems are fully scalable security solutions. You can have as little or as many access control points as you wish. When working with a system like RS2, PDK, or even DMP, as businesses grow and add new doors and areas, systems can be added to without changing the original doors. For example: If a business is using a PDK with four doors, and they decide to purchase more office space, more readers and door controls can be added without changing the account or the interface.

Yes! You can configure user permissions to allow for management of access control systems remotely.

Security is one of the biggest advantages of these systems. They offer more insight into unauthorized incidents vs. traditional key locking systems. For example, if an ex-employee were trying to gain access into an office they no longer work at, access control systems would report the credential information. One of the main reasons access control systems are replacing traditional key locks is because it provides a detailed record of all door activity which adds to that extra security.

Onsite maintenance is typically not required, unless your door locking equipment needs servicing. Some access control systems allow for remote support. For example, when system software needs to be updated, this often happens automatically and remotely.

Installation time depends on the scope of work. A single point of access control will typically take one business day to complete provided that the appropriate locking hardware has been installed by a locksmith.

Yes! You can customize your system based on your facility, staffing schedule and more. For example, you can program in open/close schedules for any doors connected to the access control system. You can also allow or deny access to specific employees or groups of employees to the building or areas of the building during certain times of the day.

Depending on the type of door hardware being used, there may be some regulations from the fire department. There must always be two points of egress.