Key takeaways
- Use business access control to secure gates, entryways, parking garages, and more.
- By investing in access control, you ensure the security of employees, visitors, and any sensitive information.
- Specifically, you can mix and match between different types of credentials, like keypads, video intercoms, and smartphone-based access.
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.
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Video Intercoms
Open doors, gates & garages from anywhere.
Access Control
Fob, key cards, PINs, and mobile apps.
Security Cameras
Visibility throughout your entire property.
Vehicle Access
Hands-free access for gates & garages.
Package Room
Receive, store, and manage deliveries.
Smart Locks
Connect to all major brands and models.
Elevator Controls
Unlock key-fobbed elevators for anyone.
Front Desk Station
See all your doors and cameras in one place.
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
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.
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The benefits of access control for small businesses
As a small business owner, you might question whether a building-wide access control system is necessary, especially if you manage only a handful of employees.
Here are the top benefits of access control for your business:
- Enhanced security. Small businesses are often easier targets for break-ins and internal theft due to limited security measures. So, implementing an advanced access control system ensures that only authorized individuals can enter your property. Features like real-time alerts, remote monitoring, and audit logs help you track who enters and exits your property.
- Simplified employee access. Traditional locks can be a hassle, especially when employees lose or misplace keys. A digital access control system simplifies credential management by allowing business owners to issue, revoke, or update employee access remotely.
- Seamless visitor & delivery management. Controlling visitor access is crucial for small businesses, especially those that handle confidential data, inventory, or valuable equipment. Modern access control solutions, such as QR code visitor management, allow guests to receive temporary access credentials, ensuring they can enter only designated areas at specific times.
- Remote monitoring. Cloud-based access control allows small business owners to manage security from anywhere. Whether you’re working off-site or need to grant emergency access after hours, you can use a mobile app to unlock doors, monitor entry logs, and even view live security camera feeds.
- Cost-effective & scalable. Unlike traditional security measures that require expensive on-site hardware and ongoing maintenance, modern access control systems are cost-effective and scalable. Many solutions integrate with existing security infrastructure and retrofit into older buildings with ease. Plus, as your business grows, you can easily expand your access control system.
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 like 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.
Consider ButterflyMX
Consider ButterflyMX as an access control system for your business. ButterflyMX is installed in more than 15,000 buildings and has more than 40,000 five-star ratings. With our system, you can merge security and convenience, allowing you to focus on your business without having to worry about security.
State-of-the-art features of ButterflyMX include:
- Comprehensive access solutions. ButterflyMX offers a variety of access control products designed to secure every entry scenario. Whether you need to manage access for doors, elevators, gates, or parking garages, ButterflyMX has a solution tailored to your business’s needs.
- Mobile app and remote access. ButterflyMX provides a top-rated mobile app that allows users to swipe-to-open doors and gates from anywhere. With this feature, business owners and administrators can grant or revoke access in real-time without needing to be on-site, plus view entry logs and access history for enhanced security tracking.
- Visitor Passes for simplified guest & vendor access. Businesses frequently receive guests, delivery drivers, and service providers who need temporary access. With ButterflyMX’s Visitor Passes, employees can send one-time or recurring Visitor Passes to trusted individuals and grant delivery access without needing to be physically present.
- Multiple access methods. ButterflyMX ensures that every user has an access method that suits their needs. For instance, businesses can choose from smartphone-based access control via the ButterflyMX app, Fobs and Key Cards, PIN codes and Keypads, and QR codes for visitors or temporary users.
- 156° wide-angle camera. ButterflyMX’s hardware includes a high-definition, 156° wide-angle camera that captures a full view of entry points, ensuring clear visibility of anyone approaching the door or gate. The camera provides real-time video streaming through the mobile app and captures time and date-stamped images of entry events for added security.
- Durable design. Unlike traditional access systems that degrade over time, ButterflyMX devices are built with durability in mind. Tamper-resistant enclosures prevent unauthorized modifications, and our weatherproof design ensures functionality in extreme conditions, whether indoors or outdoors.
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.
Business access control FAQs
- How much do business access control systems cost?
- What are the three types of commercial access control?
- Why do businesses need access control?
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.
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.
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.
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