Business Access Control: Top 5 Systems for Commercial Properties

 

 

A lot goes into running a successful business — between managing daily operations and coordinating staff, there’s a lot to keep track of. What’s more, you also have to keep your building secure to protect employees, visitors, and assets. But investing in the right technology can help you manage it all. Choosing a commercial access control system will help you control who can enter your commercial building and when.

If you’re thinking about installing an access control system at your business, first consider the kinds of systems available and how to choose the best one.

This post covers:

• Top 5 business access control systems
• What are the three types of commercial access control?
• Which access control methods are best for business?
• Why do businesses need access control?
• How to choose the best access control system for your business

 

Top 5 business access control systems

Consider these top access control system companies to manage access for your business:

1. ButterflyMX
2. Salto
3. Avigilon (Openpath)
4. ADT
5. Honeywell

 

1. ButterflyMX

The best access control system for businesses is ButterflyMX. ButterflyMX merges security and convenience, allowing you to focus on your business without having to worry about security.

State-of-the-art features of ButterflyMX include:

• Products for every access scenario, including elevator controls and vehicle stickers.
• Top-rated mobile app that allows users to swipe-to-open the door to grant access remotely.
• Virtual keys that employees can issue to delivery drivers, guests, and service providers.
• Multiple access options, including fobs, key cards, and a smartphone-based app.
• A 156° wide-angle camera that captures the full view of your property’s front door or gate.
• Tamper-proof and durable design.

 

Business access control products in the ButterflyMX ecosystem include:

 

 

2. Salto

Salto’s smart access products serve residences and buildings across the country.

Salto’s business access control offerings include:

• Danalock
• XS4 Panic Bars
• Design XS Wall Readers
• XS4 ANSI Mortise Locks
• Multiple credentials including key cards, fobs, and bracelets

No matter what kind of business your property hosts, Salto can specialize their products for you. Ask about specializations for retail businesses, hospitality, fitness centers, and more.

 

3. Avigilon (Openpath)

Formerly known as Openpath, Avigilon was founded in 2004. After it was acquired by Motorola, Avigilon underwent a name change and expanded its product line.

The features of Avigilon smart products include:

• Push notifications for your phone
• Multiple customizable solutions like cameras and motion sensors

 

4. ADT

Founded in 1874, ADT has been an access control mainstay for over a century.

ADT’s access features include:

• Emergency features including motion, flood, and heat sensors
• 24/7 monitoring centers
• Cloud storage and the ability to manage access from multiple devices

 

5. Honeywell

Honeywell’s products have been securing commercial properties for decades. And you can count on Honeywell for more than just business access control. In fact, they manufacture all types of products from air quality testers to avionic cockpit controls!

Features of Honeywell’s building access control systems include:

• Visitor registration
• Controllers that allow you to manage multiple locks and doors from one device
• Integrations with HVAC, lighting, and other building systems

 

What are the three types of commercial access control?

The three types of access control are mandatory, discretionary, and role-based access control.

Because there are many different kinds of access control systems, it’s important to choose one that balances your security and administrative needs. Choose one for your property depending on the level of security your business needs.

Generally, business access control systems can be divided into three levels:

• Mandatory access control (MAC): MAC is the most restrictive type of access control design. These systems are used in high-security organizations that require strict access permissions. In this model, a single administrator has control over who can access certain parts of the building.
• Discretionary access control (DAC): Alternatively, this model is the least restrictive of the three. It gives several administrators the power to establish access permissions.
• Role-based access control (RBAC): This model empowers an administrator to create roles and assign specific permissions to specific roles. This allows them to limit or expand access to individuals depending on their role.

 

What is business access control?

Business access control is how a business owner can manage security on their property and keep employees safe with devices like keypads, smart locks, and intercoms.

Your employees aren’t the only ones entering your building. All kinds of people need access, from delivery drivers to job applicants to service providers — and a business access control system ensures the success of your business by allowing everybody to do their jobs more efficiently.

 

Which access control methods are used most in business?

Most businesses need access control solutions for the front entrance as well as interior doors. You can opt to choose one — or a combination of methods — to help streamline access to your building.

Here are five types of business access control systems worth considering:

• Key fobs and key cards
• Keypads
• Cloud-based access control
• Mobile access control
• Video intercoms

 

Key fobs and key cards

Key card and key fob systems for businesses are a popular access control method, used primarily at interior entryways. Staff and guests scan their cards or fobs at the system’s reader to gain access to certain parts of the building.

However, one of the biggest limitations of key cards and fobs is that they need to be distributed to staff and must be replaced if they’re lost or damaged.

Additionally, key cards are also made of plastic, so issuing and replacing them produces excess waste. There are biodegradable options available that use less plastic, but avoiding them altogether is the most sustainable choice.

 

Keypads

Keypads eliminate the need for key fobs and keycards since they allow staff to enter a PIN to gain entry. Cloud-based keypads are great because leadership can use a web-based dashboard to manage access permissions remotely.

The best keypads even pair with a mobile app for a more convenient way to open doors. What’s more, a keypad with a mobile app is a touchless, more hygienic alternative to conventional keypads that staff usually touch to gain access.

 

Cloud-based access control

Cloud-based systems are a great solution for businesses because you can manage them remotely from any device.

In other words, multiple building managers or business executives can log into a web-based dashboard to control access permissions, add employees, and more. Cloud-based business access control systems also eliminate the cost of having to install a server onsite.

More people than ever work in hybrid environments. Plus, it’s quite common for business owners to manage several buildings throughout the country. So, cloud-based systems give you the freedom to control your door access control system remotely rather than being physically onsite.

This increases productivity and also makes it easier for you to keep track of who comes in and out of your building thanks to its sophisticated data-logging technology.

 

Mobile access control

Mobile access control is a touchless method that allows you to use your smartphone to gain entry. Not only are keyless entry methods more hygienic, but they also eliminate the cost of purchasing key cards and fobs since staff use their smartphones to access the building.

You can even pair mobile access control systems with tablets, smartwatches, and other smart technology, which gives employees the opportunity to choose their preferred mobile access credentials.

 

Video intercoms

Video intercoms are an effective way to control access at a building’s front entrance since they’re multi-tenant access control systems that allow administrators and tenants to see who’s requesting entry. There are several types of video intercoms, but the best ones are wireless and pair with a mobile app.

 

Why do businesses need access control?

Businesses need robust access control systems to ensure the safety of employees, guests, and sensitive information. Virtually every business, whether large or small, should invest in an effective physical access control system.

Some of the benefits of office door entry systems include:

• Ensuring permissions-based building access: Administrators can control who gains access to certain parts of the building quickly.
• Improved security: Business access control systems improve security by ensuring that only authorized people can access the building and areas within it. Some systems also keep a digital log of everyone who opens a door as an added security measure.
• Simplified building management: The right business access control system gives staff more time to focus on other duties by streamlining administrative tasks.
• Managing access for deliveries and visitors: Video intercoms let you control access at the front entrance by allowing you to see visitors and even launch two-way calls with them. This makes it easy for you to verify deliveries and visitors, like vendors or people interviewing for jobs.

 

The benefits of access control for small businesses

If you’re a small business owner, you may wonder if you even need building-wide access control – after all, there’s only a limited number of staff for you to manage. However, access control systems can positively impact your business operations, even if you have a small or mid-size organization.

Small businesses may be more susceptible to theft because they’re easier to break into than large businesses. Having an access control system that uses video and cloud-based technologies can help curb this risk by giving you access to live feeds. Alternatively, you can use QR code visitor management access to verify a visitor’s identity before letting them in.

 

How to choose the best access control system for your business

Choosing the best business access control system can vastly improve your employees’ experience working in the building. You’ll want to invest in an access control system that’s intuitive, modern, and allows staff to maintain productivity.

Here’s how to choose the best business access control system:

• Evaluate your needs. Do you have a small office in a mixed-use building? Or do you own a multi-story office building without any other tenants? Consider the size and your business’s place in the building before choosing a system.
• Consider integrations. Lots of access control systems integrate with other technologies — both hardware and software. This will help make your building access experience cohesive. You may even want to work with a security integrator who can help you create an ecosystem of devices.
• Assess features. Choose a business access control system with innovative features that improve the tenant experience like visitor management and smartphone-based access.

 

How much do business access control systems cost?

Access control systems typically range from a couple thousand to several thousand dollars depending on the type of system you purchase. For example, a video intercom to control access at the building’s front entrance will cost more than a single keypad to control access to one room within the building.

Access control system installation costs also vary depending on the installer, as well as your building’s infrastructure. Choose a certified installer that you trust for a reliable quote.

 

Where to install a business access control system

Choosing where to install access control systems at your building is crucial. In most cases, you’ll want an, access control system at the front entrance. But there are other locations that can benefit from controlled access, such as coworking spaces and amenity areas. Consider where to implement access control to boost security, efficiency, and convenience.

Here are great places to install door entry systems for your business:

• Private offices: If there are private or personal offices throughout the building, consider access solutions like smart locks or keypad devices.
• Gates: Intercoms, RFID card readers, and keypads allow you to manage access for vehicles and pedestrians.
• Package rooms: Consider adding an access-controlled package room, which is a designated place for couriers to drop off packages.
• Elevators: Gives staff and visitors access to only the floors they’re permitted to be on.
• Parking decks and garages: Ensures that only staff and approved guests have access to parking decks, which boosts security.

Pro tip: Remember to consider weather conditions if you’re installing any hardware outside. For best results, choose IP65 rated systems for outdoor usage.

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