San Antonio is famous for its rich Hispanic culture and sprawling parks and greenspaces. Whether you’re located in the heart of the Pearl District or the suburbs of Alamo Heights, San Antonio is brimming with neighborhoods in need of property access control solutions.
But before you choose a solution, this post will tell you what to consider when it comes to access control. In addition, you’ll learn the types of San Antonio access control to choose from and which installers to hire for the project. Most importantly, you’ll learn about the best access control system in San Antonio.
This post covers:
- Considerations for San Antonio access control
- Types of access control in San Antonio
- 5 best San Antonio access control installers
- Best access control system in San Antonio
Discover how the ButterflyMX access control system works:
Considerations for San Antonio Access Control
To truly get the most out of your access control system, you must consider many aspects of the city and your property.
When looking for access control in Alamo City, consider:
- Property type. Take into account the unique aspects of your property, as your access control system shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all solution. For instance, a gated community would benefit from a vehicle reader to get residents inside the property faster. On the other hand, an industrial facility would look for a robust access control solution that integrates with its existing surveillance and alarm system.
- Weather. Remember to account for the type of weather your access control system may come in contact with, especially if installed outside. Look for a system with an IP65 rating, meaning it’ll withstand the elements of San Antonio’s climate.
- Convenience. Give your tenants an easy-to-use access control system by choosing a system that uses smartphones as a credential instead of cards or fobs. Mobile-based access control is more convenient for users as they enter the building. Not to mention, they can grant access to guests or delivery drivers remotely without being on the property.
- Demographics. Consider the demographics of San Antonio’s 1.4 million residents and your existing residents to not alienate them when switching to a new access control system. For example, younger users will easily adopt smartphone access control, whereas older users may have a hard time learning the new system. Keep this in mind when selecting a solution for your property so that every tenant is comfortable with the change.
Types of access control in San Antonio
The access control system you choose for your San Antonio, Texas, property hinges on the type of property you own or manage.
Let’s identify the best access control systems for:
- San Antonio multifamily property access control. Multifamily property managers should opt for an intercom system with a camera. With a video access control system, tenants can visually confirm their guests’ identities before granting access.
- Gated community access control. Plenty of San Antonio residents live in gated communities. For these, a cloud-based system is ideal. This way, residents can grant access to guests remotely. Further, you can manage gate security from anywhere.
- South Texas student housing access control systems. With 21 colleges and universities in the city, thousands of students need housing in San Antonio. In this case, the best access solution is to install a video intercom at the main entrance and keypads throughout student accommodations.
- Commercial access control systems. Because each San Antonio business is unique, every commercial access control system must be, too. It’s best to opt for a combination of elevator controls, keypads, and intercoms to accommodate mixed-use buildings with multiple tenants.
- San Antonio parking garage access control. San Antonio is a heavily car-dependent city. As a result, you don’t have to travel far to find several parking garages. The best parking garage access control systems are car RFID tags, license plate readers, and smartphone-based access readers.
5 best San Antonio access control installers
If you already know what access control system you want, reach out to the manufacturer to ask for a list of certified installers in San Antonio. That way, you’ll receive the best access control system installation possible.
Otherwise, take a look at the 5 best San Antonio access control installers below:
- Quality Fence and Welding
- S.A. Locksmith and Security
- Whitley’s Lock and Safe
- Rx Technology
- Champion Lock and Safe
1. Quality Fence & Welding
Google review: 4/5 stars
Quality Fence & Welding is a locally owned and operated company specializing in a variety of services, such as access control. Their team believes customers deserve 100% satisfaction, which they provide by offering the finest quality workmanship and services.
When it comes to access control, Quality Fence & Welding works with state-of-the-art technology that meets your property’s needs and convenience. Their goal is to provide you with an effective and affordable solution that’s easy to use.
Additional services offered by Quality Fence & Welding include:
- Fence installation and repairs
- Automatic gates
- Alarms
- Security systems
2. S.A. Locksmith & Security
Google review: 4.7/5 stars
As a 24-hour locksmith company, S.A. Locksmith & Security knows the importance of access control in San Antonio. S.A. Locksmith & Security specializes in installing security solutions for all types of properties.
Their team will work with your multifamily or commercial property to ensure your access control needs are met. Offering leading manufacturers and brands in the industry, S.A. Locksmith & Security has the specialization to help you choose a system that meets your expectations.
S.A. Locksmith & Security also offers services regarding:
- Safes
- Gates
- Car lockouts
- Car key replacements
- Residential locksmith services
- Telephone entry systems
- CCTV systems
3. Whitley’s Lock & Safe
Google review: 4.4/5 stars
Founded in 1985, Whitley’s Lock & Safe has established itself as one of San Antonio’s leading access control installers. Their team offers a variety of commercial services to ensure your property remains safe and secure for everyone.
Additionally, Whitley’s will design a unique access control and security system with the features you want, such as key fobs or cards, magnetic locks, keypads, and more.
As a locksmith, Whitley’s Lock & Safe provides these services:
- Safe repairs and unlocking
- Lock installation and repairs
- Rekeying
- Key duplication
- Car key replacements
- Car lockouts
- Ignition replacements
4. Rx Technology
Google review: 4.9/5 stars
Rx Technology has offered technological solutions for San Antonio properties since 1995.
Their access control solutions include both physical and digital security for properties looking to protect all fronts of their business. Rx Technology is a trusted San Antonio access control installer, offering hardware from card readers and keypads to biometric locks and video intercoms.
In addition to access control solutions, Rx Technology provides:
- Structured cabling
- Network structure
- Surveillance systems
- VoIP systems
- Data backup and recovery
- IT consulting
5. Champion Lock & Safe
Google review: 4.5/5 stars
Champion Lock & Safe believes in the technology of access control systems, which is why their approach to security has changed over the years. Offering a comprehensive access control solution, Champion is the business many properties call when needing installation services in San Antonio.
Their robust locksmith services provide everything your property needs to remain safe and secure. They work closely with customers to install door strikes, card readers, biometric scanners, and anything else you need for a comprehensive access control system.
Champion Lock & Safe offers additional services, such as:
- Lock installation and repairs
- Car lockouts
- Key replacements
- Rekeying
- Safes and vaults
- Master key systems
- Vehicle ignition services
Best access control system in San Antonio
The best San Antonio access control system is ButterflyMX.
Since introducing the smart video intercom system in 2014, ButterflyMX has empowered millions of users to manage property access from anywhere in the world with a smartphone. Since then, the ButterflyMX access control ecosystem has expanded to provide a property-wide solution.
The ButterflyMX access control system offers:
- Video intercoms. Grant access to tenants, guests, and delivery drivers through a single piece of hardware. Perfect for exterior entryways and gates, the video intercom includes a tenant directory, two-way video calling, unique PIN codes, and an audit trail feature — all of which can be managed through the ButterflyMX mobile app.
- Vehicle access reader and windshield tags. Eliminate the need for residents to stop at the gate when entering the property. Instead, the ButterflyMX vehicle reader automatically grants access to residents after reading their authorized windshield tag.
- Elevator controls. Restrict guests and delivery drivers to the level the tenant grants them access to. This way, they have limited access to the property, and your tenants have peace of mind when letting them inside.
- Card and fob readers. Secure amenity spaces and staff-only areas with card or fob readers. This hardware can be unlocked using the respective credential or through the ButterflyMX mobile app.
- Keypads. Give users the option to enter a unique PIN on a keypad, in addition to swiping on their smartphones.
- Package rooms. Automate package management through a package room which couriers can access for deliveries and tenants can enter to retrieve their packages.
