Access Control Innovations Pave Way to More Profits

Learn tips to leverage the latest access control technologies, such as wireless modules, NFC-enabled credentials, and more.

An installing security contractor that can help an end user increase its customer base, boost repeat sales from present customers and provide more security for the dollar adds up to a compelling business proposition in the marketplace. Keeping abreast of the latest electronic access control (EAC) innovations can provide dealers and integrators with such a differentiation advantage vs. the competition.

Three major EAC initiatives are helping dealers and integrators become more competitive and successful: leveraging open-architecture suites, readying customers for hybrid credential platforms, and deploying wireless access control infrastructures. Soon these advances will intertwine, creating new products and suites that will make dealers and integrators even more effective in helping their end-user clients secure people and property.

Let’s explore some of the latest EAC products and solutions as well as trends and challenges that are moving the market landscape.

Open Architecture Platforms Can Boost Sales

To gain new business and promote repeat sales there are now more options than ever to install electronic hardware that meets the credential and network requirements of end customers’ current systems. If an EAC system is already in place, but does not control all of the openings required to be effective in the case of emergency, there are a number of open-architecture solutions that can easily be integrated into the existing system.

Why is this significant? Frequently, security applications are installed in stages. Over time, different brands with various operating mechanisms are implemented. The products operate independently without integration into one system. Often, the hardware and software systems are proprietary and not compatible with other components.

Yet today end users need to have EAC systems that are upgradable to provide a viable company-wide security system. They need systems that meet current safety and security issues, as well as accommodate emerging technologies that allow the system to expand and adapt as needed. These solutions need to be able to operate current technologies, including those still under development, without compromising or risking investments in their present systems.

With a modular, open-architecture locking hardware, security administrators can customize door openings with options including credential readers and networking to create a perfect fit. Plus, they can upgrade readers and network modules from an offline program to a networked solution, change credentials at any time, and use future innovative technologies as they emerge. Customers do not want upgrades that require replacing all the locks or even taking locks off doors.

By design a modular type of open architecture easily accepts additions, upgrades and replacement of components to the security system. The security system eliminates proprietary constraints and employs open standards to provide access to critical data and information within the system. It also helps to protect your customer’s EAC investment for years to come. As security needs change, the access control system can be improved by adding new credential technologies, plus a variety of network protocols, increased security levels and system expansions.

The modular, scalable characteristics of open systems allow the kind of flexibility needed for growing organizations. Users also can choose which openings should remain offline or moved to a network. They can manage both types of locks with the same software and database. As security needs evolve, a facility can have more locks on more doors and move more offline doors to a network solution when budgets allow.

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