Five Key Best Practices for Today’s Smart Access Control Strategy
Building security and access control are more important than ever. A cloud-based system hosted by a trusted and reliable provider can lower your risk at an affordable cost while offering confidence software that is always up to date and well-protected.
Trade your on-site server and the time you’re spending to train, set up, and administer for a hosted system with a professional service company. Reclaim that time to focus on your core business.
What you’ll gain:
- Securely controlled access you can depend on
- Updates and changes available anytime
- Fully featured and updated software that is backed up and protected from attack
- Flexibility for future growth and changes
- Current or future integration with other systems
- Functions and data available by smartphone
- Time to focus on and manage your business
What you’ll lose:
- Cost of a server and associated maintenance
- Hassle of keeping up with software changes and training
- Time entering changes into the software
In the past, an access control system at a site or network of buildings required a PC or server to contain the local database of users and to assign access levels. This brought not only the cost of computer hardware and IT staff time to manage that equipment but also the presence on site of a trained employee to operate the software and input/delete users visiting the building.
With the advent of the very affordable internet cloud, it is now considered a best practice to place the managing software and user database with a cloud-based hosting service, forever eliminating the computer at the premises. You’ll also have access to a consultant to help you optimize your security and access control strategy. You don’t have to be the expert.
Futureproofing is a significant consideration for building operators. You can now utilize open architecture field components such as card readers, request-to-exit devices, and door locks. Investing in proprietary technology can lock you into a single manufacturer, driving up costs in the future when you are committed to a single supplier and may subject you to supply-chain risk. Some of the best new features are not intrinsic to the access control gear, but the smartphone or other device used to engage the system. Choose a manufacturer committed to keeping up with technology and one that is platform agnostic, allowing both iPhone and android. Invest also in newer technology key fobs that resist being hacked or copied.
A reliable service partner aligns with your core values, has been in business a long time, and is locally available to provide strategic consulting, system training, and expansion. This partner will bring customized recommendations to meet your needs for today, tomorrow, and the future.
The best solutions are those that work, add capabilities, provide options, continue to work when weather or power emergencies occur, give you your time back, cost you less overall, are sustainable, and allow you to focus on your core business instead of peripheral activities that distract from your real mission.