Philadelphia is one of the most vibrant cities in the country. And as Philadelphia’s economy grows, it’s poised for an influx of new renters — so what can you and your property do to stay competitive? A top-notch access control system might be the amenity that makes your property stand out.
In this post, we explain how to choose an access control system in Philadelphia. Then, we list the best access control installers and repair services in Philly. Finally, discover the best access control system for your building.
This post covers:
- How to choose an access control system in Philadelphia
- Best Philadelphia access control installers
- Philadelphia access control system repair
- Best access control system in Philadelphia
How to choose an access control system in Philadelphia
Access control is an effective way to ensure the property access experience is secure and more convenient. When you’re choosing an access control system in Philly, here’s what to look for.
Choose an access control system with these features:
Learn more about access control systems:
1. Smartphone compatible
Philadelphia is a vibrant and diverse city, but there are specific neighborhoods — from Fishtown to South Philly — that are attracting more and more young working professionals and families. The apartments and offices in these areas need new ways to attract younger generations of renters as they begin to occupy larger shares of the market. And the answer is often investing in technologies like high-tech access control.
With a smartphone-powered access control system at their buildings, Philadelphia renters can manage access on the go just by downloading a mobile app. As a result, they can let in the delivery driver, dog walker, or maintenance technician even when they’re not at home.
What’s more, property managers who adopt mobile access control systems can avoid the endless cycle of assigning keys to residents and replacing them when they go missing.
2. Accepts multiple access credentials
Today’s access control market has plenty of options. But that doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself to just one type of system that accepts just one credential.
Residents who have access to more than one type of credential, like a key fob in addition to a smartphone app, are covered in case they lose one. But multiple credentials have other applications, too.
For example, let’s say your high-rise in Rittenhouse Square also includes a parking garage with a gate. Other kinds of credentials, like fobs or cards, are definitely convenient. But try telling that to a driver stuck behind a gate, leaning halfway out of their car to get their credential to work.
So, in that case, you’d surely want to invest in another method of access control, like vehicle readers and windshield tags, in addition to your existing access measures.
3. Cloud-based
Cloud-based access control systems are an efficient way to save time for staff while keeping your property secure. When an access control system is cloud-based, that means that staff can manage it using any laptop or smartphone — even when they’re not on the property. Since many apartments and office buildings in Philadelphia have off-site property management staff, this is a huge plus.
But cloud-based systems aren’t just convenient. They improve security, as well.
A tenant who moves out of an apartment with an analog access control system creates building-wide problems. Staff will have to revoke their access to every door and gate throughout the property, which is a tedious manual process that wastes time.
In contrast, a cloud-based system makes it easy to add residents, remove them, and change their access permissions.
Philadelphia apartment access control
Scattered throughout the city among Philly’s iconic rowhomes are thousands of apartment buildings housing renters from South Philly to King of Prussia. In Center City, in particular, many high-rise buildings — and even walk-ups — need a reliable way to control access.
Safety and security are high priorities for Philadelphia’s renters, as is convenience.
So, invest in an apartment access control system with features like:
- Video calling so residents know who’s requesting access before letting them in.
- Entry logs so staff and residents know who has accessed the building.
- Digital access codes for visitors so that residents can give seamless access to trusted guests.
Philadelphia commercial access control
Some of the biggest companies in the world have offices or headquarters in Philadelphia, from Aramark to Comcast. But the city’s also home to thousands of smaller businesses, many of which lease or own office spaces or commercial facilities.
To control access to your office or commercial building in Philly, you’ll need a proper commercial access control system.
For best results, choose a Philadelphia access control system such as a:
- Video intercom system to control access for visitors.
- Key fob or keypad system to ensure only authorized employees can access certain rooms.
- Vehicle access control solution, like a windshield tag and vehicle reader system, to control access to your parking garage or front gate.
Best Philadelphia access control installers
Even if you know which system you want for your property, you’ll need to hire a certified installer to get the system installed correctly.
Five of the best access control system installers in Philly are:
- Northeast Remote Surveillance and Alarm
- DeluxeTech LLC
- Access Security Corporation
- i2 Security Solutions
- Invision Security Group
1. Northeast Remote Surveillance & Alarm
Google rating: 5 / 5
Northeast Remote Surveillance & Alarm is a family-owned business with more than 19 years of experience. Serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, Northeast Remote Surveillance serves clients in a variety of industries, including multifamily, commercial, HOA/condo, industrial/manufacturing, warehouses, and more.
You can count on Northeast Remote Surveillance & Alarm to deliver quality services including:
- Security camera installation
- Video surveillance
- Access control
- Fiber optic networking
- Impact window film protection
- Fire detection
- Loss prevention
- Video analytics and monitoring
In particular, the company specializes in commercial security, warehouse security, loss prevention, and remote access.
2. DeluxeTech LLC
Google rating: 5 / 5
Based in Northeast Philadelphia, DeluxeTech LLC is a trusted CCTV and security company that believes in installing up-to-date technology and getting the job done right the first time.
DeluxeTech specializes in:
- CCTV and surveillance
- Alarm systems
- Intercoms and access control
- Voice/data communications
The company provides services for clients in a variety of industries, including residential, commercial, warehouse, construction, and parking.
DeluxeTech’s access control services include:
- Doorbells
- Single- and multi-unit intercoms
- Door locks
- Electrical strikes
- Electronic access control systems
What’s more, the DeluxeTech team is on-call 24/7 to assist with emergencies. The company also offers free consultations.
3. Access Security Corporation
Google rating: 4.8 / 5
For more than 40 years, Access Control Corporation has been serving customers throughout Bucks and Montgomery Counties, as well as Philadelphia and the entire tri-state area, from its headquarters in Warminster.
Access Security Corporation serves clients in the following industries:
- Manufacturing & industrial
- Commercial & offices
- Government
- Healthcare
- Education
- Property management & multifamily
The company’s goal is to bring antiquated security and access systems into the 21st century. They can design, install, and help maintain various security solutions and access control systems in Philadelphia.
Access Security Corp offers services including:
- Camera surveillance systems
- Intrusion detection systems
- Fire alarm systems
- Electronic access control
- Central monitoring
4. i2 Security Solutions
Google rating: 4.6 / 5
i2 Security Solutions started doing business as Time & Parking Controls over 30 years ago. Today, it continues to sell and install high-quality access control, video security, parking, and timekeeping systems.
i2 offers products including:
- Parking barriers and sliding and swinging gates
- Parking access control systems
- RFID systems
- Security systems
- Building intrusion detection systems
- Video surveillance systems
- Access control systems
- Employee ID and visitor management systems
- Time & attendance software
Whatever your project entails, i2 can handle it from start to finish. The company provides services from access control design and installation to monitoring and maintenance.
5. Invision Security Group
Google rating: 4.3 / 5
In business for over a decade, the team at Invision Security Group has over 300 years of combined experience in the security industry. Based in King of Prussia, Invision Security provides services throughout Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and even Florida.
Invision serves clients across industries, including:
- Correctional facilities
- Education
- Healthcare
- Finance
- Government
- Restaurants
- Retail
- Industrial
- Multifamily
- Commercial & business
Invision’s services span from video surveillance and fire detection to intrusion alarms and video monitoring. However, access control is one of the company’s main focuses.
Invision Security Group installs and repairs access control systems like:
- Intercoms
- Gate entry systems
- Biometric access systems
- Wireless locks
- Bluetooth access systems
Philadelphia access control system repair
Is your access control system in Philly broken or not working as well as it once did? You’ll need access control repair services.
Your access control system might need repairs if:
- Any wiring is frayed, damaged, or extremely old.
- Hardware is cracked, dented, or otherwise damaged.
- Audio or video quality is poor.
- Fobs can’t be programmed or read properly.
Unless you’re specially trained, it’s usually best to leave any repairs to the professionals. For best results, seek repair services from the dealer who sold and installed your system, or the manufacturer of the device. However, there are plenty of security companies that offer repair services if your system’s dealer or manufacturer isn’t available.
Some of the best Philadelphia access control system repair companies are:
- Cypress Security & Lock
- Access Security Corp
- Mitchell’s Lock & Safe Company
- Tavor Security
Best access control system in Philadelphia
The best access control system in Philadelphia is ButterflyMX.
Buildings and gated properties in Pennsylvania can trust ButterflyMX to deliver a seamless access experience. With ButterflyMX’s unified access control solution, tenants can use their smartphones to enter the building and navigate every space within.
Take a look at ButterflyMX’s suite of access control products:
- Video intercom. The video intercom is great for front doors and gates, allowing visitors to request access from a tenant via video call. Residents can remotely open the door or gate with their smartphones.
- Keypads and card/fob readers. Tenants can easily use a fob, key card, PIN code, or even a smartphone to unlock doors and gates controlled with a ButterflyMX keypad or fob reader. They’re ideal for auxiliary entrances, garages, and shared spaces like amenities.
- Vehicle access system. ButterflyMX’s vehicle access control solution is a reader that scans windshield tags on tenants’ cars. The system enables fast, hands-free vehicle access.
- Elevator controls. Our elevator controls for multistory buildings temporarily unlock elevators for visitors after they’ve been granted access via the video intercom. Elevator controls enhance safety.
- Smart locks. ButterflyMX integrates with 80+ smart lock styles and finishes for simple, smartphone-based access to apartment units and shared spaces.
Watch how ButterflyMX works:
Takeaways
- Access control systems in Philadelphia streamline access for tenants, visitors, and staff at multifamily, commercial, gated communities, and student housing properties.
- When you’re looking for an access control system, look for one that’s smartphone-compatible, takes multiple credentials, and operates with cloud-based software.
- The best access control installers in Philly are Northeast Remote Surveillance & Alarm, DeluxeTech LLC, Access Security Corporation, i2 Security Solutions, and Invision Security Group.
- The best access control system in Philadelphia is ButterflyMX.
